Q&A

In preparation for the Sew It All Casting Call contest, each contestant was sent questions to answer. If you missed the post on the Sew News blog, I thought that you might like to read the questions I was asked and my answers. By the way, you might want to sign up to receive the Sew News blog posts as each week they have a contest and you'll also find some great information as well. Hey! we all like having a chance to win something :)  

Rhonda Buss

We’re getting super excited for the Casting Call on March 3rd! We’re getting everything packed up and ready, and we’re getting to know our contestants. You may recognize Rhonda from her guest post on our blog, the 8-gore skirt tutorial, a few days ago. Read more about her below:

Sew it All: When did you learn to sew? Who taught you?
Rhonda: My grandmother taught me to embroider when I was five years old. I still have my first project! She hoped that this experience would make me thirst for more. It did and I couldn’t wait to sew and so we began with lessons on her treadle machine. She never owned an electric sewing machine. Her machine now belongs to me.

SIA: How long have you been blogging?R: I began blogging three years ago, but without direction. The blog has truly evolved over the past three years.

SIA: What are your favorite project types?R: My favorite projects are those that are time intensive. I love doing handwork, manipulating fabrics and creating something that is truly one of a kind.

SIA: Who do you sew for?R: After graduating from school, I worked as an assitant designer for a dress manufacturer. From there I worked as a costume designer and I taught at the school I attended. An opportunity arose to begin my own bridal business and I created and restored vintage gowns for over ten years. After so many years of creating for others, I now sew for myself, my husband, my dogs!!!!, and from time to time, a good friend.

SIA: What inspires you?
R: Beautiful fabric inspires me.

SIA: What is your sewing room like?
R: My sewing room is really my sanctuary. I allow myself to be free to create and not worry, too much, about the mess. It’s a large room with a large cutting table, vintage pictures on the walls and special mementos that have been given to me over the years.

SIA: What has been your greatest sewing success?
R: For years I have wanted to create clothing that would inspire and teach people how to create lovely garments with simple shapes. So many give up on sewing because their first experience was negative, the garment didn’t fit, it was too complicated…so many reasons. For over a year now, I have been creating simple shapes that are easy to execute and have hopefully inspired people to sew.

SIA: Do you have a sewing pet peeve?
R: My biggest sewing related pet peeve is jealousy. As a community we need to support each other and realize that there is room for everyone. The more people there are who are creating, the more this wonderful craft will flourish.

SIA: Do you have any bad sewing habits?
R: My worst habit is also the one that I give myself some freedom about and that is allowing myself to have a messy studio!

SIA: What’s the best piece of sewing advice you ever got?
R: An incredible seamstress once told me that in her entire career she only created one garment that she felt was perfect. She told me to aspire to do my best and always…always realize that I am human.

Great advice, Rhonda! Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and we can’t wait to see your audition! Are any of our readers going to the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in March?

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