Introducing ~ Jessie
Jessie from Sweet Jessie joins our board as we prepare for a Scrap Happy October and our third annual Handmade Holidays this November! Jessie gives vintage fabrics a fresh, new direction, she embroiders, wraps her kiddos in quilts and she loves to create. Please help us welcome Jessie to the board, and enjoy our interview today!
SMS: How long have you been sewing?
Jessie: I have been sewing for about nine years now… My mom bought me a sewing machine as a gift while I was pregnant with my daughter, and I spent hours and hours figuring out how to construct whatever I wanted to make. One of the first projects I made was a Thai silk dress with layers of tulle for my daughter’s first birthday. I didn’t know how to follow a pattern, so to make the dress, I deconstructed another dress and figured out how to put it back together. I still don’t have the patience to follow a pattern!
Jessie’s scalloped fabric garland.
SMS: How do you find time to fit creativity (sewing and any other creative loves) into your life?
Jessie: I feel like the need to create is as much a necessity as eating or sleeping… When the kids are in school, I can play all day in my studio; but when they’re home I just hope for stolen moments! I always keep an embroidery project with me to work on during down time; during their sports practices, while we wait to see the dentist, or while I’m waiting in the car rider line to pick up the kids from school.
SMS: Do you have a favorite sewing tip or skill that’s made things work better for you?
Jessie: My favorite sewing tools are: a rotary cutter and self healing mat, a Hera marker and a clear quilting ruler. Without those things, I don’t know how I’d get anything done. My best advice is to take your time and do things right the first time (this means cut precisely, use your pins, iron your seams, etc!); shortcuts always make the project take longer when you have to go back and fix your mistakes!
SMS: What’s a favorite thing you’ve made lately?
Jessie: I’ve been collecting vintage sheets for a long time now, and I’ve loved working with them this summer. I’ve made so many things with them: patchwork blankets, pajama bottoms for my kids (with matching eye masks!), tote bags… they’re the perfect summertime fabric!
Jessie’s daughter and a friend in some jammies she made out of vintage sheets;
they’re on the couch next to a patchwork pillow she made out of vintage sheets too.
SMS: Can you tell us a little more about yourself?
Jessie: A little more about me…. I’m a freelance graphic designer working out of my home in the suburbs of Chicago, IL… I’m a sub-par housekeeper, a happy wife and proud mama of my two darlings, Olivia (age 9) and Jack (7)… I love flea markets, NPR, patchwork, embroidery, costume jewelry, and polka dots. I have contributed to the following crafty books: Sweet Booties (Lark); Quilt it with Wool (out soon by Lark), and One Yard Wonders (Jan ’10). You can follow along with my misadventures in craft at www.sweetjessie.com.
You can visit Jessie and learn more about her work at Sweet Jessie, on Flickr and in her shop.
29 Responses to “Introducing ~ Jessie”
Advertising
info@sewmamasew.com
Welcome, Jessie! I love all the vintage sheet projects- I definitely want a pair of those PJ pants!
Looking forward to a scrap happy October!
Thanks for introducing youself!! I love the vintage sheets!! I’ve only used them on the back of my quilts (which I love) but I never thought about just as fabric…silly me!! Very nice!!
I love these garlands!
Welcome Jessie! I love the circled garland! Amazing what a little curve will do to change something up.
Welcome Jessie Thank you for more ideas for vintage sheets. I love them as well and have even used old tablecloths to make interesting nightgowns. Penny
Those are some cool sheets you have been collecting! I love to see creative ways to reuse cloth items.
Those are groovy pajamas.
Love love love all the vintage sheets. The garland is great! I too like to use vintage sheets when I can find cute ones! Can’t wait to see what projects you will be sharing with us!
Thank you for the lovely introduction! I’m so happy to join the board!
Welcome Jessie! I love your patchwork & those adorable pj pants.I see its going to be a fun scraptastic month.
Oh how I love love love those pj pants, garland and the pillow! Gorgeous sheets….where do you find those? Silly question, but I need to know!
Those pants are so cute. I bet they are super soft and comfy too.
I’m making a scalloped garland too! I love hers, so pretty!
I’m loving the garland. How pretty. The vintage sheet finds just make me smile☺
Awesome garland! I’m thinking about doing something like that for Christmas.
It’s so great that Jessie’s here now! I follow her blog and it’s lovely to see her featured here.
Love the pajama pants! Vintage sheets always make me think of my grandma’s house! Who wouldn’t want a quilt or pajamas that remind you of being comforted and cared for!
I love the jammies!!
Love those PJ’s. I need to find some fun material to make some for me.
Debbie
YAY vintage sheets!! So excited!
I think this will be a new craze! love the scalloped garland
Howdy. Love the use of vintage in the pictures, so cool.
Welcome! I am loving looking at your projects. I, too, love vintage sheets. I just finished a huge full apron using them! I *heart* the scalloped streamers!!!
Yay! I love sweet jessie’s work.
I’m loving it all! I need to keep my eye out for vintage sheets…
Hello Jessie! Im another Jessie too
I follow sweet jessie, such wonderful creations . .
Such loveliness. Thanks for sharing. I love your website!
Such loveliness. Thanks for sharing. I love your website!
What’s up? Is there a way I can subscribe to this discussion?