Welcome.
October has arrived and fall has officially started. Our October Influencer Spotlight is none other
than Ciara Clements. Ciara is fun, spunky, knows how to make you laugh, and super creative.
Having a chance to get to know her more was a treat. We hope you think so, too!
TSM-Over the past few years things have changed. What hobbies do you do to keep yourself
grounded?
Ciara- I ride horses for relaxation. I have been riding since I was 13. I have done some horse
shows and received a few ribbons. I do a lot of baking and cooking too. I like to bake pound
cakes. Key lime pound cake is probably my favorite that I have made so far.
TSM- That pound cake sounds delicious. You will have to share the recipe.
Ciara- Hmm let me work on that.
TSM- Are there other hobbies you enjoy doing besides baking and riding horses? I hear you like
to garden.
Ciara- I do love to garden. I honestly did it by chance and nothing died. So, now I will grow
some more stuff. See if it continues to grow. Since I work full time and go to school full time I will
not take on anymore hobbies. There is no time. So, that and sewing is about it. I am pretty
boring.
TSM- With those hobbies and work schedule, you are far from boring.
TSM- What is something that people do not know about you?
Ciara- I am in the tech field. I have been in it for the past 8 years. People do not see me as super
technical person based on the way I look. They see me and expect me to do something else.
There are not a lot of women in the tech field doing what I do. I also ride horses.
TSM- What do you do in the tech field? Is it from a customer service standpoint?
Ciara- I basically help fix everything. It is from a customer service standpoint. I do not take
phone calls like in a call center setting. It is set up as a zoom appointment that allows me to
guide them to make the corrections that they need. There is no way for me to go into their
machine and do it for them. They have to perform the work themselves. The idea is for the
customer to have to learn to correct the issue. Ultimately the goal is to make them self-sufficient.
TSM- How interesting. It is great that they have to learn to do it themselves. That way if the
issue happens again they can do it unassisted.
TSM- As one of our newer influencers what got you into sewing?
Ciara- It started with a costume event for USO Trunk-or-Treat. My fiance got me a sewing
machine for my birthday. I had mentioned I wanted to make a dog a sweater. I think that was at
the end of 2019. Little did I know, I would be sewing masks for a local hospital at the beginning
of 2020. With all the mask sewing I ended up improving my skills.
TSM-That is adorable you were sewing for your dogs. I bet they just love their outfits.
Ciara-My older dog does not like wearing the stuff I make him. The younger one does not mind
too much.
TSM- When did you make the transition to sewing clothes?
Ciara-I started seeing people post their makes and they looked so cozy. Then seeing that the
items would fit you with certain adjustments. There are certain styles I like but they do not fit
right on me from the store. I am short, yet my inseam is longer as all my height is in the legs.
So, I get to use my measurements and get the outcome I want. I do love jeans, but I would not
try to make any more as I tried and broke 6 needles.
TSM- Do you have a favorite sewing tool or technique that you like to use?
Ciara- Maybe like fabric chalk or regular chalk. I do not like using pens to make adjustments. If a
pattern does not match up I can wipe it off. I have the stick, the wedges, and the liquid chalk
pen. Which is not made for fabric. I tried with a sharpie before and that did not end well.
TSM- What is your favorite thing to sew?
Ciara-Hmm I like long sleeve tops. I always am cold so being able to have long sleeve tops
makes it easier to layer up.
TSM-Favorite favorite pattern to sew?
Ciara- Daring Doleman is my favorite. I have like 6. It is by Unleashed Patterns, and I cannot
wait to make more.
TSM- Do you sew for yourself mainly? Or do you sew for your fiance too?
Ciara- I sew for myself more. I occasionally sew for my fiance. I have to poke at him to get him
to allow me to make things. Right now he wants me to sew him some hoodies. His most
requested items are joggers and hoodies.
TSM- Okay, this question may be hard but what is you all time favorite TSM design?
Ciara-Ummm, gosh that is a lot of pressure. That is such a hard one to choose. There is a print
that drew me to TSM. I cannot remember the name. This is so hard. Let me go check my email
so I can get you the name. It is Snow Leopard.
TSM-What did you sew with the Snow Leopard design?
Ciara-I made a pair of leggings. I saw another sewist wearing this print as a dress and animal
prints I normally do not wear. This one I had to have.
TSM-How can we support you in the sewing ventures.
Ciara-I just want to keep seeing people's creativity. There are makes that I see people use
bases that are not what I would have thought to do. I would never have thought of using ABP as
a dress. So, seeing these makes helps push me outside the box and be a little more creative.
TSM- Is there something you look forward to sewing in the future?
Ciara- I am looking forward to sewing full capsules for myself. I will make stuff here and there.
To actually think of full outfits is what I am most excited about.
TSM- Do you think there are patterns out there that will help you reach the capsule you want?
Ciara-The Courageous Cardigan with deep pockets by Unleashed. Is my go-to. Since I sew
mostly tops for myself.
TSM- We cannot wait to see the capsule you create.
TSM-Ciara, we really want to Thank you for taking the time out of your busy morning to allow us
to get to know you a little bit more. It has been a joy getting to know you better for our October
Influencer Spotlight. You are such an inspiration and have such a bright light.