Today is a great day, and we are so excited to get to spend some time with you, Andrea. Thank you for joining us for April’s Influencer Spotlight. You have shared so many beautiful makes with us and we cannot wait to find out which ones are your favorites. Are you ready to get started? I know we are!
TSM: You seem to be a very busy person. What do you do for a living?
Andrea: I am a Statistician.
TSM: What is a Statistician?
Andrea: I am a statistician who is involved in planning and analyzing data for studies in the intensive care unit.
TSM: That sounds like such a wonderful field to get into. What made you choose that field?
Andrea: I love data and numbers. I originally started in the field for the numbers but once I spoke with someone they asked if I was interested in health. I truly wanted to do something that helped others, and this is where it led me.
TSM: What is something you find unique about yourself?
Andrea: Several years ago, I learned how to DJ. I guess I am not sure I can actually call myself a DJ, but I had so much fun doing it.
TSM: A DJ really? Were you able to do all the scratches? Do you still DJ?
Andrea: I cannot say I did that well either, but I have not practiced in a while due to time. Sewing takes up more of it now. I do miss it. One day I will get back to it.
TSM: How did you start sewing?
Andrea: My parents put me in sewing lessons when I was 7. There were 2 or 3 of us taking lessons from a classmate's mom. I am on my 2nd sewing machine, but I have had the 2nd one since high school.
TSM: What did you start sewing on?
Andrea: I do not remember my first sewing machine, but it was super basic. It might have been from Sears.
TSM: Did you take any sewing classes in high school?
Andrea: The sewing class was called Fashion, but it sounds fancier than it was.
TSM: Since it was called Fashion was it tailored to garment sewing?
Andrea: Yes
TSM: What was the first garment you sewed?
Andrea: I do not remember the first garment but the first piece I made was a Big Foot Pillow. Literally the toenails were made of felt.
TSM: That sounds like a cool project. Who does not like a pillow of a foot! Would you say that being put in sewing lessons started your passion for sewing?
Andrea: Yes, it did.
TSM: What is your favorite sewing tool, technique, even a quote that you love to use?
Andrea: I like my projector, rotary cutter, and my new cutting table. I used to have a folding table and that made projector cutting more difficult.
TSM: How long have you had your projector?
Andrea: I got it sometime last year. Finally got it set up and could use it without having to move it around. I did not want to calibrate it before I moved it. So, once I got my new table I finally moved it to my sewing room and now I do not have to calibrate every time I want to use. Now I do not have an excuse to procrastinate on getting a pattern done.
TSM: What is your favorite thing you have sewn?
Andrea: Hmm…I love my Styla Patterns Kodiak and my Eden’s Rose dress. I used the Nina dress from Fibre Mood to make it.
TSM: With it being in the colder months right now where you live, I bet your Kodiak has been put to good use. Is the Nina dress the one with all the pretty pleats you did?
Andrea: Yes, that is the dress. The jacket has been used for sure.
TSM: Those two makes were amazing!
TSM: What is your current favorite pattern to sew?
Andrea: My go to pattern is The Studio to Street by Greenstyle Creations.
TSM: That pattern is super pretty.
Andrea: I love the variations it has and even hacked it with the Valerie dress from Greenstyle too. I have so many Studio to Streets.
Andrea: I have a lot of prints that I love.
TSM: It can be hard to narrow down a top print.
TSM: Since you love floral prints and have a stash of fabric, what is your favorite TSM Design?
Andrea: I keep going back and forth but I will say it is Floral Sketches.
TSM: That print is super pretty. Didn’t you make a bag out of that print?
Andrea: Yes, I made the Linnea Backpack on a small scale.
TSM: Have you sewn anything else with this print?
Andrea: I have made a few items with it. It is even pretty in stretch mesh.
TSM: Since you have many items with this fabulous print, what is your favorite sew with this design?
Andrea: I will say the Linnea Backpack. I still have this print on softshell too.
TSM: What are you going to make with the softshell?
Andrea: I am not sure what I am going to use it for yet, but it will get sewn up.
TSM: Who do you sew for the most?
Andrea: I sew for myself the most. I have sewn for my husband once, my nieces. I want to sew for them more.
TSM: We cannot wait to see what you make for them. What other crafts and hobbies do you have?
Andrea: I have a lot of yarn. I have more yarn than fabric. When I was going into the office I would knit or crochet with a co-worker during lunchtime. It is a much more portable craft than sewing.
TSM: What did you knit?
Andrea: It would be scarfs, mittens, socks. I am a slow knitter.
TSM: There is nothing wrong with that. Accuracy is key, correct?
Andrea: True. Sewing is much faster and so much better on my hands. When I crocheted I made amigurumi dolls. I made stuffed animals like a crocheted Yoshi. A couple years ago I crochet a couple dolls for my husband's nieces.
TSM: How can we support you in your future ventures?
Andrea: There is not anything that I would change. Just continue to be a supportive team, keep releasing amazing designs and patterns that allow me to push my abilities, build my skill, and to learn new things. I share my sewing makes on Instagram at @makeitsew.andrea.
TSM: What is something you look forward to sewing or making in the future?
Andrea: I would like to make the Meine Herzenswelt softshell jacket. I just might use my Floral Sketches soft shell for this make. I do know there are times when a new pattern comes out and I do not even realize that is something that I even knew I needed. Keep producing beautiful prints so I can refresh my fabric stash to sew up all the patterns!
TSM: Andrea I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to share with us. It was such a pleasure getting to know you a little bit more and being able to talk about everything sewing. Your sewing makes are beautiful. We cannot thank you enough for sharing them with us.
