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Influencer Spotlight, September: Teresa Bellnoski

Writer's picture: Tara RittenhouseTara Rittenhouse

TSM: Teresa thank you so much for joining us today. We are so excited to get to spend some time with you. You are such a fantastic influencer and we thoroughly enjoy seeing your sews.


Teresa: Thank you so much for choosing me to talk to this month.




TSM: Tell me a little bit more about yourself?


Teresa: I enjoy sewing, working, and sleeping.


TSM: What do you do for work?


Teresa: I do negotiations and contracting. I really like contracting.


TSM: What type of contracting do you do?


Teresa: So, I do procurements with all the big railroads. I basically write and negotiate terms and conditions.


TSM: This is really awesome. You are such an amazing and empowering person. Have you ever rode on a train?


Teresa: Yes, I enjoy passenger trains. The trains I work with are the ones that have boxcars, flatbeds, and tankers.


TSM: You are a boss!


TSM: Earlier you said you love to sew and sleep, what is unique about you that someone may not know?


Teresa: I am introverted. I can totally be social but usually in a smaller group. When it comes to a bigger group I just sit back and listen. I enjoy going to work and socializing with my friends and co-workers but when I get home I am fine just chilling with my daughter.



TSM: There is nothing wrong with decompressing and having time to breath. This is totally understandable. You get to choose to be the best version of you.


TSM: Who do you sew for more?


Teresa: I sew mostly for myself. I started sewing for my daughter prodminently and then I sewed a little for myself here and there. It didn’t fit well. Then when I discovered The Styled Magnolia, I think really started sewing for myself so I could apply to be a part of the Guest Influncer Team.



TSM: So, you started sewing for your daughter, then switched gears because you wanted to be on the guest team? That is awesome.


Teresa: I fell in love with a print; I think it was the statement stripes and a floral round. I wanted to be on the team so bad. I sewed my first sports bra and I used that for my photo application. That was the first time I took photos of myself with my camera propped up on the backyard table. I used books and the view finder to make sure I captured it. I didn’t make it the first round. That was okay though.


TSM: Obviously you applied again. Did that make you sew even more?


Teresa: Yes, I had to apply again. Missing that chance didn’t stop me. I started sewing even more as it was a goal of mine. It made me try harder for sure. I was determined.


TSM: It just took off for you and you couldn’t be happier. We are so happy to have you as a part of the team.


Teresa: That instant gratification you get for finishing an item is awesome.


TSM: What really started your sewing journey?


Teresa: I always started tinkering a little bit. I have had a sewing machine for a long time. All I could do is hem a few pair of pants. For the longest time I did not know patterns existed. Then one day I decided to do some research and found patterns were a real thing. I think at this time I only sewed one zipper and it was not pretty at all.

Then what really got me to sew was when my daughter was about 18 months old. There was a really cute kids boutique store we ran into. They had a higher end boutique store and there were so many beautiful, ruffly, frilly skirts and dresses. I ended up buying two outfits and they were 50% off and I still spent $100 in total. I came home and thought I could make this. The funny thing is I had this pattern book about kids' boutique clothes probably 10 years before I even had my daughter. I decided to go through that and see what I could make. The instructions were nothing like the PDF patterns we have today. Especially for a new sewist. I made some really bad outfits now that I look back at it.


TSM: So, you decided to keep at it though, right?


Teresa: Yes. I found this pattern company on Facebook called Violette Field Threads pattern group. That was when I did a deep dived. I sewed everyday and bought all the patterns.


TSM: You really liked the boutique style clothes! You had a vision of how you wanted your little one to dress and that is awesome. You loved the boutique look but not boutique prices.


TSM: What is your favorite TSM print?


Teresa: I love every Pick-A-Print print in there.



TSM: Well, you can choose whichever print you want.


Teresa: I have so many favorite ones. How can I choose. I will have to choose Sweet Pink Blossom at the moment. LOL! I feel I get a new favorite one each round.



TSM: The shades of pink in that print are so you. Choosing a favorite print is hard.


TSM: Now that we have the favorite print covered, what is your current favorite pattern to sew. The one you were the most.


Teresa: My all time favorite pattern? Hmm…it is hard to define. My favorite current sew is the Laconia skirt from Styla Patterns.



TSM: What is your all-time favorite pattern?


Teresa: I love wearing the Pattern for Pirates Hepburn. That is my top work dress for sure. It is a fast sew and fits very well.