I won an award!

I’m pretty excited to say Katy, over at SleekSilhouette.com, gave me an award for my blog, The Liebster Award!

The word ‘Liebster’ is German and means ‘Dearest’. This award is given to up-and-coming blogs that deserve recognition and have less than 200 followers. You’re supposed to answer the questions the award granter asked and then ask 10 of your own for your winners. Here are the 10 bloggers I decided deserved this awesome award (I’m sure there are more but I may not know about your blog yet!). If anyone of the bloggers I have chosen have already been given this award – that just means you double rock! (I did try to check some of the people I wanted to nominate and they already had it.. so I didn’t re-nominate it if I could find it)

1. Bourbon And Bras
2. By Gum, By Golly
3. Dresses And Me
4. Fashion Fantastica
5. Handmade Jane
6. Late Night Sewing
7. Meggipeg
8. Miss Crayola Creepy
9. Tasha Delrae
10. Young, Broke And Fabulous

1. How did you get into sewing in the first place?
It initially started when I was about 6 years old. I wanted to make Sissy (my baby doll) clothing. I also thought my Barbies needed some homemade fashion and bedding. I randomly would make pillows or simple things like that. Around age 14/15 I started making my niece, Carrie, clothes that looked like what Gwen Stefani would wear. Carrie was about 5 years old and we’d sing into hair brushes together while listening to No Doubt 🙂

2. What is your favourite part of sewing?
The accomplishment of completing a gorgeous garment! When things go right I’m very proud and sort of shocked at myself for making something so awesome. I also find sewing to be very relaxing (when I haven’t stuck myself with a pin or sewn something on the wrong way!)

3. Have you tried designing your own clothes, is this something you’d like to try in the future?
I have taken inspiration from clothing I’ve bought from the store, made patterns from them and changed up how they look a bit. I’d love to 100% make my own clothing just from the ideas in my head. I have slowly started sketching out the ideas and hope to make patterns from them. I just have so many things that rush through my brain, it’s hard to keep them organized or for me to stay on track with one idea!

4. What has been your favourite moment since starting your blog?
The most exciting part is when people comment or mention to me how they’ve been reading it. I still find it crazy that someone, besides just me, actually goes to visit it and see what I’ve been up to!

5. Is there anything challenging that you haven’t made yet but would like to ? (mine would be tailoring a jacket)
My husband wants me to make him an extremely structured and tailored cosplay/steampunk type of coat. I think it will be a lot of fun and I’d learn so much… but it’s also very intimidating.

6. What make are you most proud of?
This is a hard one to answer. I think it’s a tie:
Vogue V8346 Misses’ Coat

This was the first pattern I had bought in years. I told myself the entire time there was no deadline for finishing or rushing. I made sure I did everything as proper as possible. I double checked every step as I went along and made sure to re-learn how to use my serger. When I doubted how to do any part of it, I watched YouTube videos and Googled my heart out for answers. I’ve had so many people compliment me on this coat – it’s so flattering! I’ve had people stop and ask where I’ve bought it – I’d say that’s the best part!

Gwen Stefani – ‘Settle Down’ Pants

I planned on going to see No Doubt in NYC and wanted to make a ‘Gwenabee’ outfit for the shows. I only had a few days to whip something up. I love wearing costumes to the shows and copying Gwen’s style. I was searching like a mad woman for a fabric that was similar to Gwen’s Indian print pants in the “Settle Down” music video. I hadn’t made pants in 15 years so I was pretty worried! I guess determination came through because these turned out pretty awesome! I had so many fans stop me and ask where I got them and was told much they loved them 🙂

7. What make are you most embarrassed by?
There are have been a few outfits that just DID NOT turn out looking right at all. Most of the time I give up on those and throw them into the trash. There isn’t anything that stands out right now.

8. What is the nicest compliment you’ve received for something you’ve made?
Whenever someone stops me to ask me where I bought that item because they love it. It’s even better when they go a step further in not believing that I made it because it’s so professionally made! That just makes me feel like all the time, effort and struggle was totally worth it.

9. Do you have any aspirations for taking your sewing further, such as starting up a pattern label, opening a shop?
I’ve thought about how cool it would be to create a few patterns to give away on my site, but I honestly don’t know where to start on the digital part of it all. I could draft something up but how do I get it online for proper download? Anyone know?

I’ve also thought about making fancy 50’s pin-up outfits to sell online. So far I’m keeping things selfish and just making my own garments. I love this hobby and don’t want it to become stressful by worrying about making something perfect for someone else.

10. Are you a perfectionist or a ‘get it done’ sewist?
It really just depends on my mood. With my Vogue V8346 Trench Coat I was a perfectionist and wanted everything to look perfect. But with my Sew For Victory Dress I was getting so aggravated and pissed off at it that I just wanted it to be finished!

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU:
1. What are your other obsessions besides sewing? (Mine would be No Doubt & Gwen Stefani)
2. What inspires you to sew?
3. Do you mainly sew from store bought/downloaded patterns or do you create your own?
4. Who is your favorite person to sew for?
5. What is your favorite thing to sew?
6. When and why did you start sewing?
7. If you could raid any one celebrities closet – who would it be and why?
8. Is there a certain type of fabric you are scared to sew with?
9. Do you always create a muslin?
10. Do you always pre-wash your fabrics?

I know the last 2 are silly but I wanna know! Both of those tasks are always such a pain … I do it about 90% of the time… but don’t always enjoy it LOL I do believe both are important though.