Q and A with Minerva Crafts

As you know, I'm a member of the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network.  Recently they've been re-vamping their website and as part of this they're putting some questions to each of the Network Bloggers.  Mine have just been posted on Minerva's website, but I thought it would be fun to share them here as well.

When did you start crafting and what inspired you to start?

I've been making things for as long as I can remember.  My mum and Granny both knitted and my mum also made clothes for herself and me and my sister, so I was always used to seeing people doing those crafts.  I think I must just have asked if I could try them myself!  We also used to do a small amount of sewing at school.

 

What is your favourite craft?

Sewing, mainly dressmaking but when I'm in the mood I love to do some free motion embroidery.

 

What was your first sewing project?

My first memory of sewing is stitching curtain fabric samples together that my mum's friend gave me.  I don't know if they ever became anything, so I'm not sure you could really call them a project.  I also have memories of a blue sweatshirt dress I attempted to make in my early teens - without a pattern.  It didn't turn out particularly well!

 

What do you love most about sewing?

I enjoy the actual process of sewing, but what I really love is that I can make myself something that no one else has - and that fits me better than anything I could buy.

 

What made you decide to start blog about your sewing and crafting?

I'd been reading sewing blogs for a year or so before I started my own.  I realised that I was doing the same things, and having the same issues, as these bloggers and thought that starting my own would be a good way to connect with like minded people.  At that time I didn't know anyone in my "real life" that liked to sew or craft.

 

How are you liking being part of the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network?

I'm really enjoying it.  Everyone at Minerva is lovely and so helpful and again, it’s a great way to connect with others.  It's also allowed me to discover bloggers I might not have done otherwise.

 

 

 

What 3 sewing or craft items/tools could you not live without?

My seam ripper, my iron (much as I hate ironing, it make such a difference to a project) and my recently discovered Chaco chalk pen.  It's a revelation!

 

What are your favourite fabrics to sew with and why?

I like to sew with knits if I fancy a quick project and I find that they fit well into my everyday wardrobe.  If I want to take my time over a project I like to use a nice drapy crepe de chine or viscose fabric.

 

What are your favourite yarns to knit and crochet with and why?

Probably a wool/cotton blend of some sort.  I like something soft that doesn't itch for clothing, but I also like it to be reasonably easy care.  I'm not a fan of handwashing knitted items.

 

What/who do you go to for inspiration before you start sewing and crafting?

All kinds of places!  Sometimes I look for gaps in my wardrobe that I need to fill (I'm currently lacking in trousers, so I need to work on getting a well fitting trouser pattern sorted out), although the missing item has to be something I actually want to sew as well.  I probably wouldn't make plain t-shirts etc, as they are so easy to buy.

I also look to fashion magazines and designers for inspiration, as well as other bloggers.  Sometimes I'll just see a sewing pattern and decide that's what I really want to make next.  Other times I'll fall in love with some fabric and have to find a pattern for it.

 

Are there any other crafts that you enjoy doing other than Sewing?

I enjoy knitting, particularly in front of an open fire on winter evenings and occasionally I crochet.

 

Are there any other crafts you would love to learn?

I would love to learn silversmithing/jewellery making and fashion illustration, although the latter isn't really a craft.

 

As you have inspired many others in the past to start sewing and crafting through your blog and Social Networking sites, what would you say to other potential sewers who may want to give it a try?

Just go for it.  As someone said to me recently - it's only fabric!

 

Could you sum yourself up as a crafter in 3 words?

Attention to detail.

 

 

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Many thanks to Vicki at Minerva Crafts for allowing me to share my answers here.