ladies of the society! I give you our dreamer.

1. Name:  Ashley Louise Bowen

2. Favorite type of sewing project: The simple ones that dont take a week to finish!  

3. City you currently reside in: Laie, Hawaii

4. Hometown: Riverside, California

5. Family stats: One Husband

6. Machine you sew with: Brother, that stopped working the other day, and by some miracle, decided to work again. Thank goodness!!

7. Picture of the project you are currently working on:

8. Picture of a finished project you are happy with:  (Even REALLY happy with.  We'll take that too.)

I know everyone has made these, but I really love to make baby clothes, and loved the striped one so much, I am saving it in hopes my future kid can wear it. Hopefully I have a girl.

9. Do you have an etsy site?  No

10. What fabric are you currently drooling over? Anything from this little shop in Oceanside

11. Sewing project you would most like to attempt but are admittedly frightened of or just need to learn more about: I want to make clothes for myself that are cute/fashioney, and dont make me look too homemade. I need to learn how to use a pattern.

12. Favorite online crafty blog that you draw a lot of inspiration from: I look at made, ruffles and stuff, and noodlehead all the time!

13. What sewing purchase are you saving your precious pennies for?: I am counting down the day until I go to the LA fabric district. Maybe some upholstery fabric so I can re upholster some old furniture. That sounds fun!

14. Online tutorial you plan to attempt: I am going to make the gathered clutch from Noodlehead’s blog!

15. When and how did you learn to sew?: Growing up, when I would try on clothes, I would always want to change something about the clothing. At first I would always make my mum do it, but she got tired of it, so I kinda taught myself, with helpful tips from my mum!

16. Your biggest sewing disaster story (picture if you have would be entertaining):
Last Christmas, I decided to make a board bag for David. I (secretly) outlined one of his favorite boards on a trash bag. And when I went to Cali (a little earlier than David) I bought all the fabric and started cutting away. Well, because I am soooo awesome, I cut out the fabric to the exact shape of the board, leaving no room for the board to slide in and out of the bag. I was freaking out because canvas is not that cheap. Fortunately, I pulled it off and added some white and it turned out great, and kinda looks like a cool space ship!

17. Favorite sewing book: I dont have any sewing books, I just get any ideas, or tips online.

18. Sewing hero you look up to: I would definitely have to say my mom, she has been sewing for me since I can remember, prom dresses, skirts, bags, etc.. and she has taught me all I know! (and she always helps me fix all my sewing oooops)


19. Anything else that would be interesting or funny or lame or sa-weeeeet to share with all your society pals: Im excited to see how creative everyone is with their projects!!!

20. If you could nominate yourself for an officer in this most prestigious society- what would your title be?: I would be the......dreamer?

ladies of the society! i give you our resident seam pinker.

1. Name: Meg (it's really Meagan, but please don't call me that) Nicole (Knudsen) Thomander

2. Favorite type of sewing project: Kids stuff, or household projects

3. City you currently reside in: Hau'ula, Hawaii

4. Hometown: Park City, Utah

5. Family stats: 1 husband, 1 girl baby, 1 boy baby

6. Machine you sew with: Basic Kenmore, given to me by my mom as a wedding present

7. Picture of the project you are currently working on: Just finished the Warhol Dress from Made, but I am making another one in black and white gingham. We will see how it turns out!

8. Picture of a finished project you are happy with: (Even REALLY happy with. We'll take that too.) Woodland house for a birthday gift. I had fun making it, and I made it up, so I am proud.


9. Do you have an etsy site? Yes What is it? Indie Pop Shop There isn't anything posted right now. I will get on it when I am adjusted to having two kids, scouts honor! Once upon a time there were custom silhouette pillows for sale.


10. What fabric are you currently drooling over?: Alexander Henry Canyon Butterfly, I want to make roman shades out of it in the kids new room. It is cuter in person.

11. Sewing project you would most like to attempt but are admittedly frightened of or just need to learn more about: Clothing for myself. I guess I just figure it wont turn out, or will fit funny.

12. Favorite online crafty blog that you draw a lot of inspiration from: purlbee and made

13. What sewing purchase are you saving your precious pennies for?: a serger and a high end fancy sewing machine

14. Online tutorial you plan to attempt: cozy car caddy tutorial

15. When and how did you learn to sew?: When I got married my mom gave me a sewing machine, so about 5 years ago. I just kind of taught myself, but recently took a beginning sewing, and advanced sewing class at BYUH, with some fellow sewing society pals.

16. Your biggest sewing disaster story: The Aloha Shirt from Advanced Sewing Class. Not that I didn't sew it well, it's just that I despise the shirt. I still haven't finished it, and I have no desire to finish it. Sadly, all it needs are button holes and some hemming!

17. Favorite sewing book: Not necessarily my all time favorite, but definitely a good one...Cute Stuff by Aranzi Aronzo

18. Sewing hero you look up to: My Mom. She can figure out any sewing project and sews so perfectly and precisely. She is the master!

19. Anything else that would be interesting or funny or lame or sa-weeeeet to share with all your society pals: It ruins my sewing day when the bobbin runs out, I genuinely dislike taking the time to rewind it. I love to pink seams. It is practical and looks cool.

20. If you could nominate yourself for an officer in this most prestigious society- what would your title be?: The Resident Seam Pinker (is that a word?)

ladies of the society! i give you our silent partner.

1. Name: Lorie
(You can also find her photo blog here.)

2. Favorite type of sewing project: Any and all. I'm really into hand embroidering right now. It's something short and sweet that I stitch while I'm watching tv with the hubs at night.

3. City you currently reside in: Bakosville =)

4. Hometown: Bakosville (which is a pet name for Bakersfield, CA represent!! woot woot)

5. Family stats: one hubs (HA) and two mini men. Henry is 2.5, Ben is 8 months (GASP, my baby can NOT be the old. shutter) (Another side note- that baby is at least a year now... that's how slow I've been to post these. Shame. Here's the FABULOUSLY crafty party she pulled off for his first birthday. You'll die over the sheer perfection and homestyle, yet modern fall creativity of it all. I know I did.)



6. Machine you sew with: the $100 Kenmore special from Sears 5 years ago. Which was also the last time I was actually in a Sears. My machine needs updating. Pronto. I have a little envelope I'm saving up for a new one.




7. Picture of the project you are currently working on: Gah. I have many. But hey, maybe you all can help me out with this one. I'm stuck on what to do. I'm in MAJOR pillow mode right now. Which flower looks better in the center? The doily flower? Or is that too much doily? Or the orange velvet? Or the green floral? Thoughts? I think I'm over thinking it. (Uhhhh, you probably already finished this. I am the worst. Ok, let's just put the pics up for kicks shall we?)





Also working on a double sided cover for the top of Henry's train table. On one side I'm doing a town with streets for his cars and trucks. On the opposite side will be space with planets and such because his train set is actually a "space" train set complete with aliens and robots =)



8. Project you are happy with: (Even REALLY happy with. We'll take that too.) I love to make things for people I love. My favorite COMPLETED project of late was a birthday book for my bf's baby boy who is now ONE. I'm really proud of how the whole thing turned out.

9. Do you have an etsy site? What is it?: Yes I do. But it's seriously lacking in loot right now. I have a ton of quilt tops sewn, just not all put together. Here it is!

10. What fabric are you currently drooling over?: It's hard to find, but it's the mustard lotus by Amy Butler (pictured in the all the pillow pictures). I keep buying it up on Ebay. But I also really really really love this. I like REALLY love rain. And all things rain related. So these umbrellas are calling my name =)

11. Sewing project you would most like to attempt but are admittedly frightened of or just need to learn more about: I would LOVE to sew my own clothes. Not all of them. But I would love to attempt a great dress or a great skirt.

12. Favorite online crafty blog that you draw a lot of inspiration from: I check Cakies daily. I LOVE Frenchie & Flea. Smile and Wave might just be my new favorite. But ebbing in real close is the adorable Elise. Seriously, scroll down to look at her wedding. Gray and Orange? GAH. ADORABLE.

13. What sewing purchase are you saving your precious pennies for?: A new machine. Something that can actually sew and not just chew my projects to bits. Not sure what I'm going to buy though.

14. Online tutorial you plan to attempt: Nothing in particular right now. I'm mid-wedding season right now and don't have any plans to do any major sewing in the next month. (Remember she's a photog.)

15. When and how did you learn to sew?: My mom sort of taught me when I was youngish. Like junior high maybe? Pre-sewing I used to hot glue clothes together for my stuff animals. (side note: does anybody else have a life long love affair with hot glue like I do? I even love the smell of it. Yes, I'm weird.) But it's mostly all self-taught.

16. Your biggest sewing disaster story (picture if you have would be entertaining): I don't have any pictures (thank God). But when I first got married I thought (dumby) that it would be cute and chic and cheaper (double dumby) to buy a dozen cute cloth napkins to sew together to make a shower curtain for our apartment. It was horrible. Horrible horrible horrible. It never got finished and never got close to being hung. =)

17. Favorite sewing book: I don't really have a favorite sewing book. With sewing, I am much more inspired by the people around me and all the blogs out there. Oh and Etsy. HUGE on inspiration, that place.

18. Sewing hero you look up to: Same as my crafty blog inspirations. Oh, and one of my BF's. Davi has such ways of putting things together, or visualizing things that I never could. She inspires me ALL. The. Time.

19. Anything else that would be interesting or funny or lame or sa-weeeeet to share with all your society pals: I've always had a dream to be a fashion designer. I wanted to go away to the Rhode Island School of Design and Merchandising. My mom laughed at me and wouldn't even sign the application form. I don't blame her. And my life would not be what it is and where it is if I had gone away to the East Coast. But I still dream of owning a little boutique full of whimsical, romantic clothes and knicky knacky vintage stuff. Think Anthro, but on a smaller, less expensive scale.

20. If you could nominate yourself for an officer in this most prestigious society- what would your title be?: I would be the silent partner. Not silent because I'm quiet (Lord KNOWS I've never been that) but because I'm not ON your island, so I'm a remote "investor" if you will. Someone who stops in every once in awhile to see what's going on, but not all that involved because they have 14 other ventures they're working on at the same time. =)

ladies of the society! i give you our librarian.

1. Name: Liko Miller (sorry folks, no link cuz she's a private blogger)

2. Favorite type of sewing project: clothing, cute projects for gifts

3. City you currently reside in: Ka'a'awa, Hawaii

4. Hometown: Kahuku, Hawaii

5. Family stats: wife to doug and mom of two fun monkeys, malik and faith.


6. Machine you sew with: basic kenmore from my mom and an electronic singer (i totally prefer the feel of the kenmore, the singer is far too mechanical for me...but i someday hope to have either a pfaff, husqvarna, janome, or bernina...)

7. Picture of the project you are currently working on: too many to send pics of :)

8. Picture of a finished project you are happy with: (Even REALLY happy with. We'll take that too.) most recent completed project:

And a reversible table runner for my mom for mothers day, to remind her of home, the ocean -- now that she lives in alaska.




9. Do you have an etsy site? What is it? not YET...never say never, right?? as soon as i start one, i will be sure to let you know!!

10. What fabric are you currently drooling over? i really am loving the looks of anna maria horner's 'little folks' voile. especially the dobby voile pastry line fabric. it just looks so very cute and i would love to make a quilt or summery girls dresses/skirts with it!!

11. Sewing project you would most like to attempt but are admittedly frightened of or just need to learn more about: a quilt. i have yet to go there...not sure what, exactly, is holding me back... maybe it's because it takes a LOT of fabric??

12. Favorite online crafty blog that you draw a lot of inspiration from: the purl bee. everything looks organized, simple, beautiful. love it!!! also katiedid. she inspires me. i want to be able to sew and make my own patterns just as she does for her kiddos. and she knows mark and patria lee -- what a small world we live in!! (and yes, patria, i used to read your blog before it went private...hi!) oh, and thread banger.

13. What sewing purchase are you saving your precious pennies for?: always got my eye open for fabric, always fabric. and that sewing machine i mentioned. and a SERGER!!!

14. Online tutorial you plan to attempt: yoga pants

15. When and how did you learn to sew?: my mom up and moved away january '09, leaving one of her machines with me. never bothered to learn growing up, unlike my mom (who was sewing her own clothes in high school). i finally got up the nerve to use it and started teaching myself in february 2009. my first project was a little girl's dress for adelaide's 2-year birthday. i was happy with it!! then i took a sewing class with friends from byuh, but i must say that hands-on doing it is how i learn the most.

16. Your biggest sewing disaster story: adelaide's dress. i felt the pattern was written in a language i didn't understand, the pictures accompanying the pattern instructions confused me even more, and i attached the bodice to the skirt inside-out, something i have learned from. i had a hard time understanding how to get from point A to point B. but, i think i got it now (knock on wood!)

17. Favorite sewing book: gotta say the first one i bought - lotta jansdotter's 'simple sewing'. simple, you can be creative and add your own little touches to make it your own. i have a few books and sometimes i can just sit and look at the lovely photos and be inspired.

18. Sewing hero you look up to: my mom and aunties. they all grew up sewing their own clothes out of necessity and they'd sew almost all of our (me and my cousins) clothes when we were young. back when it was actually cheaper to sew your own clothes.

19. Anything else that would be interesting or funny or lame or sa-weeeeet to share with all your society pals: in the beginning, my seam-ripper was my best friend. i also have a hard time cutting up my fabrics. i get nervous the outcome won't be what i want and don't want to waste the fabric...i think i'm making progress on that...

20. If you could nominate yourself for an officer in this most prestigious society- what would your title be?: hmmm, what are the choices?? i don't know... the librarian!

ladies of the society! i give you the adapter.

Name: Melissa Peterson

* I'm playing Hoarding it for Home by Mates of State since I listened to this song on repeat all through a most marvelous month long European tour I took, wherein Melissa and I met and became life long bossom friends. *

Favorite type of sewing project: Dresses for myself, of course. And anything else I feel like I need to sew at the moment.

City you currently reside in: Smithfield, Utah

Hometown: I don't know. (This is my least favorite question to answer.)

Family stats: One husband (who is a seamster in his own right) and one pumpkin seed (to arrive in the fall).

Machine you sew with: Baby Lock very-plastic-model-looks-like-a-toy. Who has even heard of Baby Lock, and isn't it kind of a creepy name? Baby. Lock. That's why I felt ok about covering it with stickers. It's been a great machine. Nothing fancy.

Picture of the project you are currently working on: You don't think this looks like a sewing project? Huh. I'm going to make myself a bigger dress as soon as my belly gets big enough that I have an idea of how big to make it. In the meantime, the fabric is just keeping our sideboard cozy.

Picture of a finished project you are happy with: (Even REALLY happy with. We'll take that too.) It's funny, but when I sew I get a little stressed out about how nothing looks like it should, but then I always have really low standards for my final product (probably because I know how hard it was). So I'm usually pretty satisfied, even though I'm well aware of all of the flaws. My favorite dress was probably a Christmas plaid dress I made last year, even though I keep thinking of what I would do differently if I made it again (which I will when I have a waist again). Also, I don't have a picture, but I made curtains for my bedroom when I first moved to Logan three years ago--they were just muslin with a pretty 70s flower trim--and I loved them.

Do you have an etsy site? What is it?: Yes I have one, but I don't sell anything. Once I sold a headband to my favorite person in Hawaii.

What fabric are you currently drooling over?: Always William Morris patterns. I find fabric very rarely and it's always pretty expensive but so very Arts and Crafts Movement awesome.

Sewing project you would most like to attempt but are admittedly frightened of or just need to learn more about: Baby things. I will be making many, but they're so small. And "baby fabric" is way too cutesy. Also, I want to be a professional tailor. Which is a hilarious joke because I have absolutely no attention to detail (and I don't usually use matching thread).

Favorite online crafty blog that you draw a lot of inspiration from: Honestly, I can't think of a specific place that I get inspiration from. I love dressaday.com, and it probably got me on my vintage dress kick last year. Oh, and also--there's a girl in Provo who opened up a tailoring shop, and she does have a blog but I think she's too busy sewing to blog frequently. It's Lady Danburry, and I want to be her when I grow up (she's like five years younger than I am).

What sewing purchase are you saving your precious pennies for?: Well, technically I'm waiting for gift cards since I'm not saving for it, but I'd like some nice fabric for dresses. I usually buy such cheap fabric (and it's usually a huge mistake) and I'd love something nice to work with.

Online tutorial you plan to attempt: (These questions are getting really hard.) Good gracious, if you've read the recipe I submitted for your recipe book, you probably know you don't want me to do a tutorial. As for tutorials of other people's that I will attempt, I made this dress, and will probably make another within the next five months.

When and how did you learn to sew?: Home Ec, 7th grade. We made pajama shorts. Then I came home and fashioned myself some pants out of scrap fabric. They were pretty sweet.

Your biggest sewing disaster story: I haven't attempted anything very ambitious, but most of my dresses are pretty much a disaster. I have learned from this that NO ONE NOTICES YOUR DISASTERS. They are no big deal. Unless you're on Project Runway. Anyway, here's a sweater I cut in half to make a cardigan (a disaster from step 1, I think). I just hacked at it and no one thinks it's weird. That is partially because of our extremely permissive society (ha), but also it's just not that big of a deal.

Favorite sewing book: I have only read one or two, but the first one I bought was Amy Butler's In Stitches and I love it. I've made the apron in it for just about everyone I know. It also has helped me learn a lot of (very simple) techniques to make other things.

Sewing hero you look up to: How about everyone who sews? My grandma, for hand-stitching millions of quilts. My mom, for hand-stitching me a wedding quilt. Nate's great-great-grandma for hand-stitching a beautiful wedding suit (that I've worn). You. Your mom. Whoever taught her to sew. (The picture is one of my favorites of my Grandma Stricklan on her porch in rural Idaho.)

Anything else that would be interesting or funny or lame or sa-weeeeet to share with all your society pals: I hate buying new materials to sew with. I don't buy zippers or thread. Or buttons. Or any notions of any kind. I inherited a thread stash from my grandma when I found her old sewing supplies at my parents' house, and after I used all of the good colors up, I inherited another thread stash from my other grandma. If I don't have matching thread, I don't use matching thread. I am slowly using up my mother-in-laws stash of old zippers--which she inherited from her mom and grandma. She also has snaps and hooks & eyes when I need them. For one thing, it bothers me to have a lot of junk that I'm not using, and for another thing, I don't see why sewing has to be so expensive. I have realized that I've got to sew because I want to, not because it will be economical. Except that if it isn't economical, I probably won't sew it. So there's the fun Melissa-contradiction of the day.

If you could nominate yourself for an officer in this most prestigious society- what would your title be?: (Is this like having to make up a gangster name for myself?) How about the adapter because I can't stick to a pattern.

get ready to be inspired

Remember my ridiculously talented BFF Diana?

You know, of Yan Photography?

Well, she's putting on a workshop, wait no, HEARTSHOP they are calling it, with none other than thee Becky Earl! What an amazing, powerful duo!

The minute I heard about it I clickity clicked all over that link to see if they would be doing it while we are on the mainland this summer and alas, they are not. It's June 4th and 5th (come on ladies, wanna push it back a month and a half later??)

Oh and the schedule is so AMAZING! A campfire? Really guys? That's enough to make me want to look for flights.

Fly me out Yan and Becky! I'll model a shoot for you. It can be, like, a learning experience for your attendees: how to shoot someone awkward, and let's face it, not really photogenic. Whaddaya say? Anyone? Bueller?

Anyway, browse around the workshop site if you live anywhere near Utah and I think you'll get as excited as me and lucky you- you live in driving distance if you are anywhere on the mainland.

Here's some of their recent work:
YAN-





I had to stop myself- I could have picked like every photo from her blog she's so dang good. AH!
and we can't forget Becky Earl-





Is anyone freaking inspired yet?

I also love how it is a workshop about getting back to the art that you love and making it shine. It just seems like two days packed with brilliance and positivity. I so want to be there and I am not even a photographer!

Please attend this heartshop and then call me and tell me all about it. I'll be jealous, but happy. :)