The first Crafster member who is the Purses, Bags, and Wallets Featured Member is ...
LittleQuack has been a member of Craftster for a little over a year, and in that time, she has posted numerous projects on the PBW board. She graciously answered a few questions we had for her!
Why (and when) did you begin making purses, bags, and wallets? I started sewing bags and wallets with some of the friends I met when I started high school. When we reached grade 11 and could take the Fashion course, even more joined in. It was mostly for fun and to be able to carry around something unique and special, but there was also a small degree of competition over who could sew the neatest seams or who's zipper looked the best.
How long have you been sewing? If sewing means using a needle and thread then I've been sewing since I was 7 or 8. My Grandmother taught me how to hand sew a simple pillow, and then shortly after a senior church friend of my family introduced me to cross-stitching. My Mom's sewing machine was always around the house and I probably started experimenting on it when I was 13 or 14.
What type of sewing machine do you have? I use a Janome model L352-353, but it's actually my Mother's. Her friend jokes that I was born with my love of sewing because she and my Mom tried to start a small business sewing baby clothes when my Mom was pregnant with me xD
Do you have any tips for anyone looking to make their first purse, bag, or wallet? If they haven't started it yet my advice is to just do it already. I sometimes put off starting a project because I worry about screwing it up or I don't think my skills are quite up to it yet. This is a waste of time. If I screw it up, so what? I'll find a way to fix it, or figure out a different way to do it when I try again. And if I'm not skilled enough then the only way for me to get better is to do things I haven't tried before. You can't improve by doing only things you already know how to do.
What other crafts do you enjoy? Anything even remotely crafty I will enjoy. When I was younger I would try anything I could get my hands on: embroidery, pottery, knitting, stained-glass, felt-making, scrap-booking wood-working, sewing, crocheting, beading and so on. There are big craft projects that I know I would love but haven't been ambitious enough to try yet, like quilting and upholstery, but I know I will love them because they involve making something with my hands. I actually haven't tried anything new in a while, perhaps that should be something I work on this year.
What's your favorite aspect of Craftster?My favorite aspect of Craftster is definitely the helpful community. In the handmade world it's so great to have a place to come with questions and ideas and be able to receive constructive advice and comments without having the stress that normally comes with trying to talk with strangers over the internet. Anything posted here is either praising, helpful, or at the very least it's polite. It's a very welcoming and comfortable place for people of all ages.
What is your favorite PBW project on Craftster that you posted? My favorite project that I've posted on Craftster(so far) is my
mini adaptation of the accordion wallet pattern I have. I absolutely love the fabric prints, plus it's just so darn cute!
What is your favorite PBW project on Craftster that someone else has posted? I'm going to give two answers for this one because I use Craftster mainly as a learning resource so I'm going to give a favorite technique and a favorite project. I think my favorite sewing technique tutorial on Craftster is the
zippered divider in a messenger bag it's a great addition to a messenger bag, and can be adapted for use in most bags. For a favorite project I'm going to say this
fish bag because it's so detailed and perfect.
Congratulations, LittleQuack! We look forward to seeing more of your awesome purses, bags, and wallets!
