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 tea flavor organizer.

Let's post another one of these gems shall we? I've got some free evenings this week since Thomas will be camping with scouts, then photographing with a friend, then drumming with the band...etc. so I'm hoping these super crafty profiles will get me all geared up to get some sewing done before our trip! I've got a bunch of new babies to meet and I sure would like to give them something handmade before I smoother them with kisses. Woot!

1. Name: Sheila Rich

(image stolen from her facebook -heh heh)

2. Favorite type of sewing project: Easy ones. ha! but really, home decor or accessories- like toys, hair accessories, etc. I'm not that talented for a lot of "fashion" sewing projects

3. City you currently reside in: Kaaawa, HI

4. Hometown: Honolulu, HI

5. Family stats: One girl who is almost 2 , and one boy on the way (June 26 to be exact)... (yeah, that's how behind I am in posting these. She had her precious baby boy already and he is so cute!)

(stole this picture from her blog. ps- has anyone ever looked so good after just giving birth? my goodness woman.)

6. Machine you sew with: Nothing special. It gets the job done. I got it as a Christmas gift a few years ago. The brand is Brother.

7. Picture of the project you are currently working on: sorry, I don't have one. I need to start one.

8. Picture of a finished project you are happy with: (Even REALLY happy with. We'll take that too.) I don't have too many. This is the latest- a quiet book for my daughter.

I'll always be really happy with my first "fashion" sewing project: a pillowcase dress for our little girl, even though the hem is crooked along with other flaws- it makes me happy when she wears it. I can't find a photo for it right now though.

9. Do you have an etsy site? yes, nothing to do with sewing though. What is it? Party Accessories Picture examples:




10. What fabric are you currently drooling over?: anything from this page

11. Sewing project you would most like to attempt but are admittedly frightened of or just need to learn more about: making a nice swimming suit.

12. Favorite online crafty blog that you draw a lot of inspiration from: thelongthread.com, purlbee.com, made (dana-made-it.com/ ), blog.craftzine.com, and sewmamasew, amongst others.

13. What sewing purchase are you saving your precious pennies for?: anything from here again

14. Online tutorial you plan to attempt: this lovely clutch

15. When and how did you learn to sew?: I am still learning but it started by watching my mother while growing up and picking it up from there -nowadays I usually have her guiding me on the phone as I go through a project. ha! I thought it was so old fashioned and uncool to sew or to wear something homemade when I was younger, but now I wish I would have paid more attention when she made things. I guess I started really sewing about 4 years ago when I got married. I was inspired to make some window curtains to replace the old ones we were given in good 'ol TVA.

16. Your biggest sewing disaster story: I'm not sure about the biggest, but the most reoccurring story is: getting the fabric, the pattern and everything cut out... then having it just sit there unstitched and unfinished. I think I have three girls dresses all cut out and ready to go. I just get intimidated.

17. Favorite sewing book: Don't have any, but ones I would like are: Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts, Heather Ross'- Weekend Sewing,



18. Sewing hero you look up to: my mother

19. Anything else that would be interesting or funny or lame or sa-weeeeet to share with all your society pals: umm... whenever I sit down to sew (or start any other project) I like to have a stash of M&M's and almonds in a bowl kept nearby. They keep me happy.

20. If you could nominate yourself for an officer in this most prestigious society- what would your title be?: hhmmm, maybe the TEA-FLAVOR-ORGANIZER as part of this "My Cup of Tea Sewing Society". bahaa.

ladies of the society! I give you our Representative Twice-a-year Seamstress!

Wow, I've been doing a seriously bad job of getting these up here lately. Thanks to all you cool peeps who sent them in- I will do better! Expect at least one a week from here on out. Scouts honor.

1. Name: Robin Mikolyski


2. Favorite type of sewing project: practical things, currently quilts

3. City you currently reside in: Laie, Hawaii

4. Hometown: Keaau, Hawaii (Big Island)

5. Family stats: Husband Scott, one 9-month-old boy Kadin, and another boy due in September

6. Machine you sew with: a very basic Brother (VX-1120 given to me by my mom)

7. Project you are currently working on: a baby quilt for a friend.
Here's an example of what it will look like when done:


8. Picture of a finished project you are happy with: (Even REALLY happy with. We'll take that too.) I re-did the cushion covers of a rocking chair/glider a friend gave us and it came out pretty well!
Before:
After:


9. Do you have an etsy site? Nope, not that good!

10. What fabric are you currently drooling over?: none

11. Sewing project you would most like to attempt but are admittedly frightened of or just need to learn more about: nothing at the moment

12. Favorite online crafty blog that you draw a lot of inspiration from: haven't found one yet

13. What sewing purchase are you saving your precious pennies for?: a sturdier sewing table and chair

14. Online tutorial you plan to attempt: Wow, I'm such a sewing slacker! Don't have one

15. When and how did you learn to sew?: My mom helped me sew a dress when I was 12 (using a pattern). I wore it for a couple of years 'till I outgrew it!

16. Your biggest sewing disaster story (picture if you have would be entertaining): The year I got married, the quilt I made for our queen-size bed without factoring in any overhang. I only measured the top of the bed! So it's more like a bedspread. Someday I'll make a new one that fits properly!


17. Favorite sewing book: again, none!

18. Sewing hero you look up to: Doris Nilson, resident of Laie, is teaching me to quilt. She's amazing!

19. Anything else that would be interesting or funny or lame or sa-weeeeet to share with all your society pals: I guess I'm not as passionate about sewing as I could be, but now that I have a sewing room, it makes it a lot easier to have the motivation to make things. I'm really a practical rather than creative seamstress, so I only think of things to make when a need arises! I don't have a fabric stash. I don't buy fabric "just because I like it". I've only ever bought material after I think of the project!

20. If you could nominate yourself for an officer in this most prestigious society- what would your title be?: Um, Representative Twice-a-year Seamstress?

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!