I’ve been a making things for about as long as I can remember - charging my parents 25 cents for crayon drawings at my make-shift art gallery (I obviously thought VERY highly of my work!). If you would have told me that I would some day be making quilts and sewing my own clothes I don’t think I would have believed you, but here I am!

I dabbled in some sewing when I was a kid but it didn’t ever stick, until 2016. My mom was taking a few old sewing machines to get serviced, she asked if I wanted one when they’re done - I said why not! BUT, I started looking into sewing projects, discovered the amazing community and got super eager to give it a shot. So eager that I went and bought a new sewing machine since my mom was taking too long… (I’m so patient, I know.)

Ever since that day, I’ve been glued to my sewing machine! 

I now specialize in needle-turn appliqué, occasionally sewing quilts or other garments to build my handmade wardrobe.

Why appliqué?? It's a valid question. I'm fully aware appliqué isn't the most "popular" of categories when it comes to sewing and quilting. I think mostly because people find it very intimidating and unapproachable (which I'm doing my best to change!!), but I guess that's besides the point.

Funny enough, the very first time I did appliqué was for a commissioned Gibson Quilt Coat (I guess you can call it blind confidence??) 

It was one of the most challenging, fun, and therapeutic projects of my life and it came very naturally to me. I took a hiatus and continued to make sewing/quilt patterns and then returned to it again after my son was born. 

I wanted to spend what little alone time I had with my husband rather than at my sewing machine, and appliqué was so convenient to do on the couch while still getting quality time with him. 

I continued working on designs of my own, exploring this way of "painting" with fabric. Over time I really just became obsessed and, well - the rest is history

I was constantly hearing from people that they had always wanted to try appliqué but never took the leap - it seemed too hard or they never found a pattern they really liked. That's when I decided diy kits were something I should offer! It's much easier to leap into a new hobby with everything at your fingertips instead of overloaded with information. 

I guess it's just my way of trying to convert one person at a time to love appliqué as much as I do. 

kira // it's all in the stitch