A few weeks ago, I decided it's time for me to sew. My New Year's word is love, and I love crafting. I'm going to make time to sew! I can't wait to show you guys my first project! It's this amazing 60s shift dress, and if you didn't already know this, I'm pretty much in love with Etsy. There's so much amazing stuff just waiting to be found. Anywho, I found ErikawithaK Vintage, a vintage pattern shop. It's amazing! I decided that I had to buy a pattern from Erika. Now, go look at them. Yeah, totally drool worthy! Incredible! I wanted to get to know Erika a little better, and find out more about her shop.
Here's the pattern I bought!
Here's the pattern I bought!Tell me a little bit about yourself so I and the readers can get to know you a little better:
I am 26 years old, and ErikawithaK Vintage has recently been my only job! I am a very nostalgic person and have a degree in history, focusing on American and Environmental history, from Salisbury University in Maryland. I really enjoy knowing alot about the history of wherever I am living. I also spent time in college performing and working as a Costumer's Assistant. This is where I learned most of my sewing skills and it was undoubtedly the best job I've ever had. Since then I have had a couple of jobs in the environmental field but right now really appreciate the freedom of movement that owning my shop allows.
I read on your Facebook page that your mother sews! I come from a long line of seamstresses myself. Is that what got you interested in sewing?
As I've said, I am very nostalgic and sewing fits in with that. Doing something for yourself that most people don't is very of the past. Additionally, I do have a family history of sewing. My mother always made our Halloween costumes and I have very fond memories of going to Joanns and picking everything out. She always let us be whatever we wanted. She didn't teach me how to sew but she definitely encouraged my sister and I to try everything. My paternal grandparents immigrated to the US from Cyprus in the 1950s and both worked in the garment industry. My grandmother worked in a London Fog coat factory in Baltimore, basically a sweat shop...and my grandfather was a skilled tailor and owned a dry cleaners.
What inspired you to open your own vintage pattern and fabric shop on Etsy?
I opened ErikawithaK Vintage because I love thrift stores, yard sales and auctions and honestly could never hope to use everything that I find. This enables me to possess amazing things for a short time and then pass them on to someone else that will appreciate them. Additionally, I have moved A LOT since college and have mostly lived in situations not at all conducive to hoarding things.
Why vintage as opposed to contemporary designs?
I prefer vintage fashion because I think they were more expressive of the times they were created in. Today's fashion seems almost totally arbitrary and changes every year or less based on the whims of some fashion designer or magazine. And it isn't just a saying that everything was made better in the past, things really were.
Do you have any tips for sewing beginners?
My biggest tips for sewing beginners are find someone who knows what they are doing and get them to teach you. I have done some teaching and it's hard to break bad habits. Better to do it right the first time. That and buy a pair of Gingher scissors, they are my most favorite sewing tool. I've had my pair for probably 6 years and have only had them sharpened once!
What's your favorite fashion era to sew? 50s full silhouettes, 60s shift dresses?
I don't sew clothing as much anymore as I would like. But I really hope to sew myself some vintage separates this year. I have the hardest time letting cute 1950s dresses, blouses and skirt patterns go into the shop. I am pretty thin and my silhouette doesn't necessarily work as well with that but I really like the feminine feel and classic details.
Thanks, Erika! It was wonderful meeting you, and I look forward to sending you pictures of my first project (and getting more patterns from you)!
Now, for you readers that enjoy sewing or know someone that does: head over to Erika's Etsy shop and use the code MOUSE10 for 10% your purchase! The code expires on Tuesday, January 31 so be sure to make an order before then!
I read on your Facebook page that your mother sews! I come from a long line of seamstresses myself. Is that what got you interested in sewing?
As I've said, I am very nostalgic and sewing fits in with that. Doing something for yourself that most people don't is very of the past. Additionally, I do have a family history of sewing. My mother always made our Halloween costumes and I have very fond memories of going to Joanns and picking everything out. She always let us be whatever we wanted. She didn't teach me how to sew but she definitely encouraged my sister and I to try everything. My paternal grandparents immigrated to the US from Cyprus in the 1950s and both worked in the garment industry. My grandmother worked in a London Fog coat factory in Baltimore, basically a sweat shop...and my grandfather was a skilled tailor and owned a dry cleaners.
What inspired you to open your own vintage pattern and fabric shop on Etsy?
I opened ErikawithaK Vintage because I love thrift stores, yard sales and auctions and honestly could never hope to use everything that I find. This enables me to possess amazing things for a short time and then pass them on to someone else that will appreciate them. Additionally, I have moved A LOT since college and have mostly lived in situations not at all conducive to hoarding things.
Why vintage as opposed to contemporary designs?
I prefer vintage fashion because I think they were more expressive of the times they were created in. Today's fashion seems almost totally arbitrary and changes every year or less based on the whims of some fashion designer or magazine. And it isn't just a saying that everything was made better in the past, things really were.
Do you have any tips for sewing beginners?
My biggest tips for sewing beginners are find someone who knows what they are doing and get them to teach you. I have done some teaching and it's hard to break bad habits. Better to do it right the first time. That and buy a pair of Gingher scissors, they are my most favorite sewing tool. I've had my pair for probably 6 years and have only had them sharpened once!
What's your favorite fashion era to sew? 50s full silhouettes, 60s shift dresses?
I don't sew clothing as much anymore as I would like. But I really hope to sew myself some vintage separates this year. I have the hardest time letting cute 1950s dresses, blouses and skirt patterns go into the shop. I am pretty thin and my silhouette doesn't necessarily work as well with that but I really like the feminine feel and classic details.
Thanks, Erika! It was wonderful meeting you, and I look forward to sending you pictures of my first project (and getting more patterns from you)!
Now, for you readers that enjoy sewing or know someone that does: head over to Erika's Etsy shop and use the code MOUSE10 for 10% your purchase! The code expires on Tuesday, January 31 so be sure to make an order before then!
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