Why I Sew

Latest Episodes:

From casinos to cruise ships to custom sewing with Amanda Carita, So Sew English Fabrics Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

So Sew English was founded by Amanda Carita, a single mother with a passion for sewing. This passion began in childhood and was deeply ingrained in her throughout her life.

As she pursued her craft, however, she ran into difficulty sourcing materials, discovering that beautiful fabrics were expensive and affordable fabrics low quality. Thus, began her dream to provide beautiful and affordable fabrics to the sewing community. She started small, but customers recognized her vision and her business quickly grew.

So Sew English is built upon two core tenants: 1) self-made fashion can be more economical than purchasing ready to wear, and 2) we need not sacrifice beauty or quality to make this possible. More than a brand, SSE is a movement to make the dream of self-made fashion a reality for everyone.

Find Amanda:

Website: sosewenglishfabrics.com
Social:

Mostly self-taught, making things & selling them with Jessica Barrera of Sallie Tomato Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

Jessica Barrera is the founder of Sallie Tomato, a brand specializing in bag-making patterns and supplies. In this episode, learn what inspires her to sew and how she created her booming business.

Jessica has been around sewing and quilting all her life. In 2016 she released her first pattern, the Puppy Pillow. Now her passion is to design quality sewing patterns, so you can create too! Sallie Tomato is a team of hard-working individuals, dedicated to providing you with the best bag making supplies on the market and to helping you create.

REGISTER FOR OUR 2022 New Year's Eve Sew-Along with Jessica and ring in the new year making the new Smith Organizer! REGISTER HERE>

Find Jessica:

From Barbie clothes to custom bags & memory quilts with Cheryl Kuczek, Paradiso Designs Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Cheryl Kuczek, of Paradiso Designs, designs eclectic style sewing patterns for handbags and clothing, including plus sizes. Cheryl describes her creative process and shares her inspiring sewing journey.

Take Cheryl's Sulky Webcast, Posh Project & Tech Trapper, and get a taste of her teaching style while making a fabulous, modern-day Trapper Keeper. REGISTER>

Find Cheryl:

Master of curves (& folding khakis) Jen Carlton Bailly of Betty Crocker Ass Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

In a previous life, Jen Carlton Bailly probably sold you a pair of jeans or khakis at The Gap. Today you’ll find her covered in thread and searching down the latest inspiration for a quilt. She is a self-proclaimed master at curves and finds pleasure in creating quilts with secondary patterns that make you stop and wonder.

Listen and learn how she took her sewing to next-level greatness and why she calls herself "Betty Crocker Ass."

Find Jen:

Social Handles: bettycrockerass

Website: https://bettycrockerass.com/

Find Jen's "Red Skies at Night" Quilt Pattern at sulky.com and try your hand at sewing curved the "bettycrockerass" way: https://sulky.com/red-skies-at-night-digital-quilt-pattern

Jen's Favorite Techniques:

Glue Basting
Sewing Curves
Know your machine...RTFM (read the frecking manual) - not really a technique but no one ever does it.

Jen's Favorite Notions:

Glue Stick
Clover 18 and 28 mm rotary cutter (with a FRESH blade)
Design Wall

Couture costumer, artist & fashion designer Anna He of Seattle Cosplay Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

Anna He has an extensive, professional background in the fashion industry as a designer. With a passion for sewing and anime, she merged her dream job and her love of all things anime and high fantasy. Raised in New York City, Anna started sewing around age 14 and never looked back.

She went on to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. After college, she worked for many fashion labels in New York City and Seattle. On-the-job training sharpened her eyes for details and workmanship. Working with higher priced labels refined her hands for good quality fabric and their ability to drape. It also taught her about best-practice construction methods.

As she became more acclimated with anime, Japanese culture and epic high fantasy, she discovered that all of those costumes could be made to fit a real person! That’s when she started to really investigate theater art and Cosplay.

Anna has a wide array of experience working with leather, woven fabric, knit fabric, brocade silk, lace, mesh, feather as well as beading, embroidery and painting. She has created over 200 high-quality, award winning costumes for herself and customers – ranging from video games, to Epic Fantasy, to comic and Sci-fi and of course, her own original designs.

LEARN MORE:

Find Seattle Cosplay at http://www.seattlecosplay.com.
Make one of Anna He's original patterns, the Halloween Bucket Bag, with our free pattern: https://sulky.com/halloween-bucket-bag-digital-pattern
Sew up her matching Halloween-themed apron: https://sulky.com/halloween-pinafore
Create Anna's Flower Fascinator project using freestanding lace designs: https://blog.sulky.com/flower-fascinator/

CONNECT WITH ANNA:

From the Air Force to YouTube Sewing Star: Becky Thompson, Power Tools with Thread Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

Becky Thompson is the owner of the YouTube channel, Power Tools With Thread. She retired from the US Air Force in 2003 and Air Force Civilian Service in 2020 as a Cyber Security Analyst. She uses the instructor skills taught to her by the military to now teach others how to expand their embroidery craft using the incredible technology available in today's home machines and embroidery software. She makes the process fun and easy so anyone from beginners to seasoned embroiderers can stitch along!

Register for our webcast, Holiday Mug Rug In the Hoop, to take a free class with Becky and get to know her even more! Register HERE>

Find Becky:

Have a handmade happy hour with Cathie Filian, cathiefilian.com Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

Cathie Filian has always been crafty. She began sewing at age 8, making jewelry with paper clips by 9 and by high school making almost all her own clothing, including party dresses. She studied Textile Science and Design at The Ohio State University and spent the early part of her career in the Fashion Industry.

Cathie spent 10 years working behind the scenes as a stylist on Hollywood films before she moved to the other side of the camera. She worked on films such as Rushmore, Twister, Heartbreakers, Bottle Rocket, and Vanilla Sky during her 10 years as a stylist. She was the Co-Producer, Co-Host and Co-Designer on HGTV’s Creative Juice and DIY Network’s Halloween Witch Crafts, both Emmy Nominated shows. She also produced on TLC’s Craft Wars.

Recently, Cathie co-invented the Mod Melter and she has a line of products for Mod Podge that are sold in major craft retailers across America, Canada and internationally. Her embroidery kits are available at all Walmart stores in the USA.

Listen as Cathie shares why she sews, a hobby that shaped her life and career.

Learn more:

Watch Cathie have fun with Sulky Stick 'n Carve as she creates fun Halloween pumpkins: https://youtu.be/QlFRQjkJ_J0
Grab Stick 'n Carve sheets here: https://sulky.com/stick-n-carve-valuepack-10-sheets
Find more info on Cathie here: https://www.cathiefilian.com
Handmade Happy Hour with Cathie Filian and Steve Pizcenza: https://www.facebook.com/cathiefilianstevepiacenza
Cathie and Steve's Handmade Happy Hour: https://www.youtube.com/c/handmadehappyhour
Follow Cathie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathiefilian/

Sewing as therapy & finding a community with Desiree Habicht of Desiree's Designs Sep 23, 2022

Show notes

Desiree Habicht, owner and designer of Desiree's Designs, creates machine embroidery designs, patterns and more. She truly has an artist's eye and loves sharing her creations with others. Learn how she honed her sewing skills through her competitive Girl Scout spirit. Plus, hear how a family tragedy sparked her creativity and rejuvenated her spirit.

Take a free class from Desiree and learn:

How to Make a Unicorn Hooded Towel In the Hoop>
How to Make a Steampunk Pumpkin Pouch>
How to Make a Chameleon Quilt>
How to Make a Moonlight Serenade Mug Rug>
How to Make a Lovely Llama Pillow>

Find Desiree:

"I was so isolated and looking for a friend and [sewing] gave me a community." ~Desiree

Accidental successes, big-ass books & making things for mom - Mark Montano, Meet Your Makers Showdown Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Mark Montano strives to make the world a better place through creativity. He's a Best-Selling Author, Designer and TV Host. He writes THE BIG-ASS CRAFT BOOK series (Simon & Schuster) which are best-selling craft books in the U.S. Mark has worked in television for over 12 years and can be seen on the new Discover + show, MEET YOUR MAKERS SHOWDOWN with co-hosts Chrissy Metz and LeAnn Rimes. Learn about his background and what motivated him to dive into the world of sewing and creating.

Find Mark:

Facebook: MarkMontanoLA

Instagram: themarkmontano

Pinterest: MarkMontano

YouTube: Subscribe to his channel for DIYs aplenty!

Shop Mark's favorite Sulky Thread - Glowy™: https://sulky.com/glowy-sampler-pack-6-spools

From peek-a-boo to patternmaking and perfectionism with Angela Wolf, Fashion Sewing Club Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

Angela Wolf specializes in fashion sewing and is the host of the PBS show "It's Sew Easy" and "Behind the Seams" on YouTube and Facebook. She's the founder of Angela Wolf Patterns and Angela Wolf Academy. Learn about her journey into fashion design and how she keeps things fresh for her students in a variety of mediums.

Find Angela:

FACEBOOK @AngelaWolfCouture

TWITTER @Angela_Wolf

INSTAGRAM @AngelaWolfFashion

PINTEREST @AngelaWolfPins

YOUTUBE @aboapparel

BLOG www.FashionSewingwithAngelaWolf.com