Since I've been double nominated for a Liebster Award by C of Oh, She Dabbles and Zoe of Fozzel and Bean (both really lovely blogs that I highly recommend checking out), I figured I better go ahead and do it! The Liebster is something of a chain letter among blogs, except instead of the threat of your crush never liking you back if you don't pass it along (the horror!), we get to spread the word about other lovely bloggers! It's not really an award, but rather an opportunity to interview the creators of your favorite small blogs (under 200 followers).
So, first up are the questions presented to me by C of Oh, She Dabbles:
1. Why do you sew and when did you start?
Lots of reasons! Because I love creating, because I hate clothes shopping, because the fit and customization options of self-made clothes are infinitely superior to store-bought, because it's (sometimes) cheaper, because it's empowering, because I love to share with and be inspired by other sewists.
I learned how sew in 2012 when I was living in Portland, OR. I took an introductory class and quickly became hooked. Since then I've been self-taught.
2. How do you get yourself out of a sewing rut?
I don't think I've even been in one! I sew almost every day and I always have in mind plenty of new projects to make.
3. What’s your favorite make that you made for someone else?
Definitely one of the button-up shirts I've made for my husband. Probably the Lonesome Dove shirt because of its unique details.
4. Where do you get your inspiration?
From my fellow sewing bloggers mainly! Instagram, Bloglovin, Kollabora, Pinterest... Sometimes from ready-to-wear garments or from the fabric itself.
5. What do you do if you get stuck in your making?
If I get frustrated I always take a break, otherwise I end up just making the problem worse. I can usually figure it out if I look at it with fresh eyes. A bit of googling always helps as well!
6. Are you a planner or do you just wing it?
I rarely buy a fabric unless I have a good idea of what I want to make with it. I have a list and sketchbook of future makes, so I'd say I'm probably a planner ;)
7. What’s your favorite fabric to sew with (or yarn to knit with)?
I love rayon challis. Knits are also great because they're so quick to sew and easy to fit.
8. What do you do for fun besides making beautiful things?
My husband and I are both longtime vegetarians, and we really enjoy cooking and coming up with simple, healthy recipes. We also read a lot and do crosswords. We haven't owned a TV in years, but we'll occasionally watch a show online. We've been attempting to grow herbs and vegetables in a container garden on our deck, with mixed results so far! And I've gotten really into pilates lately.
9. Why did you start blogging?
I started out by just posting my projects on BurdaStyle. I guess I
eventually got frustrated with their site's technical problems and lack
of customization options. I was also happening upon other peoples'
sewing blogs more and more and thinking about carving out a little space
of my own. Once I started blogging I found my sense of community with
other sewists grew dramatically! I'm so glad to be a part of this amazing, supportive community!
10. If you were an animal (other than a human), what animal would you be?
Are nudibranchs animals? Whatever they are, they're pretty rad.
And now the questions from Zoe of Fozzel & Bean:
1. What is your favourite handmade garment to date?
Tough question! Lately I've been wearing my pinstripe sleeveless Archer all the time, so I guess I'll go with that!
2. Do you have a favourite pattern? What is it?
I think I'd have to go with the Archer pattern from Grainline Studios. I've made three very different versions of it so far and I love all of them!
3. Why did you start blogging?
See #9 above!
4. What was the first sewing blog you ever read?
The first clothing I ever made was a knit maxi dress that I dyed coral and hand-sewed. The tutorial was from Sweet Verbena (who no longer seems to blog), and that's the first sewing blog I remember seeing. I think I found it via Pinterest. That dress wasn't very flattering on me and it eventually became a lace-trimmed scoop back shirt and a pair of Rosy Ladyshorts!
5. If time and money were no obstacle, what would be your ultimate sewing project?
Ooh, that's a hard one. There's not really one big thing that I want to sew. Even my wedding dress was pretty simple. I guess I would interpret "project" in a larger sense, and say that I would like my entire wardrobe to be handmade. And if money were no obstacle, I would use all the finest fabrics, like linen and silk.
Like C and Zoe I went by Bloglovin numbers for my nominations, which are:
Maike of Sew & Illustrate - I love the illustrations Maike does to go along with her projects!
Lauren of Lady Sewalot - Lauren's only 17, but she's already such a talented seamstress!
Rebecca of Everyday Notions - I love Rebecca's style, and I would totally wear everything she's made so far!
Annabella of Bellbird - For a new blogger, Annabella already has a ton of gorgeous makes!
And my questions for them are:
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What's one sewing fear that you've overcome (knits, zippers, etc.)?
3. What type of garment is your favorite to sew? Is it also your favorite type of garment to wear?
4. Do you prefer sewing with indie patterns or traditional patterns?
5. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
Please don't feel any pressure to participate if you don't want to! And thanks for sticking with me through this long and picture-less post!
<3 Lindsay Labels: interview, liebster