Burda Style For people who sew

1. Where are you from and/or where do you live?
I was born in Sacramento California but grew up from the age of 9 in a small rural town in western Washington. I have since migrated to the mountain town of Sandpoint in North Idaho.

2. What was the 1st thing you made? How did you start sewing?
I started sewing with my mom’s old Singer when I was about 12 years old. My mom showed me how to use the machine and helped me with my first garment, an A-line purple corduroy skirt. I was in 4-H at the time and entered it in the county fair and got Grand Champion. It was a nice way to start out.

3. What role does sewing play in your life?
Sewing allows me to express myself creatively. I love textures and fabrics and using them in unique and creative ways. I enjoy making other forms of art, but there’s nothing like seeing a creation that started out as just a thought come to life as a garment on a human body. It’s the most intimate and tangible sort of medium for me and delivers the most satisfaction for my imagination.

4. What is your favorite and what is your least favorite thing about sewing?
My favorite thing about sewing is watching fabric that starts out flat and formless turn into something beautiful with shape and character just by cutting it and sewing it back together with itself or other fabric.

My least favorite thing about sewing is ripping out seams due to poor fit, especially when it seems the garment is almost finished. Those are some of the most frustrating moments for me, seeing the grim reality that you can’t leave it the way it is.

5. If you could make something for anyone who would it be and what would you make?
If in history, Cleopatra. She’s the most glamorous person I can imagine designing for. If today though, I would say Drew Barrymore. I think she would look so lovely in an updated 20’s style dress in pewter and ivory with cool, textural embellishments and some beads for star-shine.

6. What are you looking for on our site? What do you think should be improved and what do you really like?
I’m really looking for a place to show my work where everyone involved can appreciate creativity and making things by hand. BurdaStyle has done a great job at that. I really like the community of the site and the openness of everyone. It’s so great seeing other people’s work and I love all the tutorials on different techniques. Sometimes just seeing a new technique gives me design ideas. I think it would be nice, though, to have a way to contact people personally for possible clients or networking.

7. What is your motto?
I think it would be one that my Keyboarding teacher from freshman year in high school use to say: “If it is to be it is up to me.” But I also like “Know yourself and dress accordingly.”

Check out Damiana_Designs amazing projects and for more information on her, check out her blog. Take a peak into what inspires her through her top ten