About
I've been sewing since I can remember. My mother enrolled me in the local 4-H club for a couple of years and even won blue ribbons at the county fair! My very first job was a sales clerk at a local fabric shop at the age of 15. Then a few years later I worked at a Joann's high end fabric company, Showcase of Fine Fabrics, for 5 years. That's when my love for sewing blossomed.
I sewed most of my clothes when I was in high school and college. Since I worked for Showcase I was able to sew model garments that only cost me the time I invested in each piece. The company paid for the pattern, fabric and any notions I needed to create the garment. The only kicker was it had to be displayed in the store for 6 weeks. Then it was mine to keep! This was where I would sew with the finest fabrics in the store that I really couldn't afford otherwise.
While in college, I wanted to pursue a career in fashion design. After my sophomore year I changed my major from accounting to fashion design at Texas Woman's University.
This program exposed me to the industry. I had the opportunity to work at the Dallas Market, travel to New Orleans to attend the Chemist and Colorist convention where my garments were modeled, I even had fashion models walk down the runway wearing the outfit I made at a Dallas fashion show! This program was amazing! I should have finished the program to receive my degree but as most 20 year olds do I got distracted and a little burned out from all of the sewing involved.
I made a few bridesmaids dresses for friends and even the dresses my bridesmaids wore in my wedding. That was tedious and time consuming and decided that was not the route I wanted to take professionally.
I remember making a bridesmaid dress for a client and she was not happy with the result. The bride chose the fabric which ended up looking like a silky jacquard robe instead of a fancy cocktail dress she was intending. Looking back, it would have been best to have a sample sewn to see if this was the look she was going for. Instead the bride bought the patterns and fabric and carried on with her plan. I hope in the end she was happy with the dresses and everything turned out as planned.
Fast forward to the mid-nineties. After I was married and we had a few children I dusted off my sewing machine again and made some clothes for my girls. I would sew simple items like pants, skirts, and vests to add to their wardrobe. The older the girls got the less interested in sewing I became. So once again I covered my machine and didn't sew for a long time.
Just recently I fell in love with sewing again. I also discovered all of the sewing bloggers on YouTube! Wow! I had no idea there was a community of beautiful women sharing their love of sewing on that platform. You will find me there very soon sharing my experiences, skills and help you along with your sewing journey.
Take a look around my web site. This is a place where I'm sharing what I make and create beginning sewing videos to help you get started. When my YouTube channel is available I will let you know. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and you'll be the first to know!
Happy Sewing!
Penni
I sewed most of my clothes when I was in high school and college. Since I worked for Showcase I was able to sew model garments that only cost me the time I invested in each piece. The company paid for the pattern, fabric and any notions I needed to create the garment. The only kicker was it had to be displayed in the store for 6 weeks. Then it was mine to keep! This was where I would sew with the finest fabrics in the store that I really couldn't afford otherwise.
While in college, I wanted to pursue a career in fashion design. After my sophomore year I changed my major from accounting to fashion design at Texas Woman's University.
This program exposed me to the industry. I had the opportunity to work at the Dallas Market, travel to New Orleans to attend the Chemist and Colorist convention where my garments were modeled, I even had fashion models walk down the runway wearing the outfit I made at a Dallas fashion show! This program was amazing! I should have finished the program to receive my degree but as most 20 year olds do I got distracted and a little burned out from all of the sewing involved.
I made a few bridesmaids dresses for friends and even the dresses my bridesmaids wore in my wedding. That was tedious and time consuming and decided that was not the route I wanted to take professionally.
I remember making a bridesmaid dress for a client and she was not happy with the result. The bride chose the fabric which ended up looking like a silky jacquard robe instead of a fancy cocktail dress she was intending. Looking back, it would have been best to have a sample sewn to see if this was the look she was going for. Instead the bride bought the patterns and fabric and carried on with her plan. I hope in the end she was happy with the dresses and everything turned out as planned.
Fast forward to the mid-nineties. After I was married and we had a few children I dusted off my sewing machine again and made some clothes for my girls. I would sew simple items like pants, skirts, and vests to add to their wardrobe. The older the girls got the less interested in sewing I became. So once again I covered my machine and didn't sew for a long time.
Just recently I fell in love with sewing again. I also discovered all of the sewing bloggers on YouTube! Wow! I had no idea there was a community of beautiful women sharing their love of sewing on that platform. You will find me there very soon sharing my experiences, skills and help you along with your sewing journey.
Take a look around my web site. This is a place where I'm sharing what I make and create beginning sewing videos to help you get started. When my YouTube channel is available I will let you know. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and you'll be the first to know!
Happy Sewing!
Penni