Thursday, May 13, 2010

The crafty world of Seamstress and the Daughters


This week the BrisStyle team caught up with Suzanne, Melissa and Marie, the ladies behind the fabulous world of Seamstress and the Daughters.

How would you describe your work?


As we are a co-op of 3 so our work can be an eclectic mix of things. Melissa is very into vintage fabrics and recycling old fabrics. Suzanne loves wool and all things crochet. She loves the feel of soft wool and loves to make soft things that are great to touch. Marie loves the prettiness of little girls clothes and loves to try different combinations of trims and frills to make the perfect skirt.


How did your Etsy shop come into being?


Melissa was a big Etsy browser and Suzanne was always making more scarves than she could wear so they discussed making a shop and they asked Marie who has been sewing for over 50 years if she wanted to make some things as well and so we joined forces.


Who or what inspires you?


Suzanne loves scouring the internet and books about crochet and is inspired by the talent of others and sometimes the wool itself will be the inspiration.

Melissa loves seventies fabric patterns and fashion, tea towels and old linens, Montelupo ceramics and her kids art work. Dodgy craft books from when she was young are a winner too.


Marie is inspired by the almost limitless possibilities in a skirt design. She loves the fabrics as well as the options for girls are almost endless.


Do you ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as part of your creative process?


Out of all of us, Melissa is definitely the eco girl - 80% of all her goodies are made from Vintage and op shop fabrics. Suzanne and Marie are beginning to delve into the eco world.

Can you describe your studio / work area?

Marie has half a rumpus room as her sewing empire. There is an industrial sewing machine in the middle and piles of fabric all around.

Melissa is currently renovating so all her material is in bags,and is working on a desk in the bedroom needless to say it’s all a bit crazy, part Narnia wardrobe part Nana’s gone crazy and bought 100 tea towels.

Suzanne has managed to eek out half a cupboard to store all her wool (thankfully crochet hooks take up very little room).

What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?


Melissa loves our darling little Barbie Beds, being a dolly loving girl herself, I like seeing Barbie snugly asleep after she has finished her day job as a NASA fashion designer doctor scuba instructor.


Suzanne loves the crochet covered notebooks. They just feel so wonderful to hold in your hands. A wonderful place for the everyday or those special thoughts.

Marie loves the denim skirts with all the frills.


Do you have any other places that people can view/purchase your work?

Blog
Etsy Shop
MadeIt Shop

Thanks so much for your time ladies and for the insights on how your co-operative works!

4 comments:

Bec said...

Great interview!!! So many lovely goodies here - already I am wanting a hat for myself, one of those gorgeous skirts for my daughter - and I'm sure she'd love one of those barbie beds too. Such a great idea!
XX Bec

Spun Mud said...

You girls are Brilliant, always a fan. Loving the barbie bed too.

wimcee said...

Also love the crochet touches...MUST learn to crochet!! And the image of the Narnia wardrobe work space! Lovely story girls.

BrisStyle said...

Thanks so much Suzanne, Melissa and Marie for sharing your eclectic crafty world! Those Barbie beds are fab and can't wait to nab one at the next BrisStyle Inide Desiners Market on the 5th June...hmmm if I can wait that long that is or maybe I'll go for a squizz in your Etsy shop.

xh