Pat Sloan Featured Quilter Sara Lawson

I love bags

no really... I LOVE Bags... I actually have somewhat of a bag problem.  I want to make them, own them, give them, keep them. 

I started to followo Sara's blog Sew Sweetneess because SHE is a bag lady too (ha!). And not only that she does fabulous tutorials and make clothings with quilt fabric (did I tell I used to make LOTS of clothing? To go with those bags?)

Let me introduce you to Sara.. so you too can drool over her fabulous work and makes some bags!

How/why did you start quilting?

I started sewing as an adult about 6 years ago, but I didn't begin quilting until around 2 years ago, at the same time that I started blogging. Anyone who reads or writes a blog, you know how easy it is to get inspired and sucked into new projects, so the blogging really got me going.

The first blog I followed was Amy from (http://www.amylouwhosews.com) amylouwho?, who I met through my friend, Kim (http://gogokim.blogspot.com).

I started writing bag sewing patterns for Pellon (http://pellonprojects.wordpress.com/) late last year, and work really hard to think of new designs and ways of explaining steps that are (hopefully) easy to understand! One of my bags even comes with a video (http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/05/tutorial-video-fylerion-bag.html), which hopefully I can do more of in future (I just need about 6 extra hours every day!).

How did you pick your blog name?

My blog name, Sew Sweetness, comes from a cute pink 7" vinyl record that I got when I was in high school. The band was called Jimmy Eat World, and the song was 'Sweetness'. The record only had a few songs on it, but another was a great cover song of Willie Nelson's  'Crazy'. Someone from Free Quilt Patterns (http://www.freequiltpatterns.info) saw my blog and recognized the song title and thought, "No way, this is a quilter we're talking about here," but I think quilters definitely come in all shapes and sizes!

What is your favorite quilt thing to do? Why?

My favorite quilt thing to do is making the quilt tops. I have a small stack of quilts that I never finished, just because I don't especially relish the quilting and binding process! I think quilt patterns/blocks that feature large-scale prints are really fun, and I also like paper piecing.

I hosted a New York Beauty (http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/02/new-york-beauty-quilt-along.html) series on my blog earlier in the year, and if I had enough hours in the day, I would definitely make a ton of paper pieced blocks for a quilt!

What does your work area look like .. what is your favorite part of it.. what would you change?

My work area is more practical than pretty. My sewing area shares half a room at the front of our house, with all my husband's computer gear (although I claimed the area in front of the window!). I have a large, white table that doubles as a lighting area for photographing sewing projects at night.

I wish I had more time to decorate my sewing area to look pretty, but I am always so busy sewing this project or that one, I don't stop long enough for that, lol!

What is the last piece of fabric you bought

I just prepaid for the complete line of Tula Pink's 'The Birds and the Bees' (http://tulapink.com/collections/current-collections/the-birds-and-the-bees/), which I am *extremely* excited about!! I bought enough to make several projects (quilt, dress, a couple of accessories).

If you could only pick one word, what would it be?

Creative. It's a great word for how my mind works, and to me, telling someone their project is creative is one of the best compliments you can give...that means they really thought outside of the box and really made it 'their own'.

What was the best piece of advice you ever got, who was it from?

"Take a couple days off and come back to it."  I am somewhat of a frantic seamstress. I put all sorts of self-imposed deadlines on my sewing projects; if I think it should be done in a certain amount of time or by a certain day, I will make it happen. This occasionally leads to a bit of a burnout, which some of my blogging friends can definitely attest to from hearing me complain about it on Facebook or on Twitter, lol. I think this advice definitely rings true...if you are having a hard time on a certain sewing technique or project, instead of abandoning your project, just give yourself a breather and when you come back, you will be able to do it.

 what was the most interesting trip you have ever taken? Why?

I went to Quilt Market for the first time this past spring. It was the most fun that I have ever had in my adult life (and also possibly the scariest, because I am so shy!)! The best part was meeting like-minded individuals who live and breath sewing like I do. I think connecting with other people who share the same interest as you is a great thing; whether it is your local quilt guild, some people you meet at the fabric shop, or even people you have connected with online, it's just a great relief to share your thoughts and ideas with others!

What’s your motto/advice you live by?

Stay up late so you can have more time to sew. ;-)

snow or sun
Am I allowed to say overcast? It's the best light for photographing a quilt or other sewing project, lol.

What are five things you can’t live without?

My family, fabric, my sewing machine, juice, and my computer.

dog or cat?
I love cats and dogs, but I developed an extreme allergy to them 2 years ago, so I'm going to plead the fifth.

Any exciting news or best posts at your blog you'd like to share?

I have some free tutorials up on my site, especially if you like to sew bags or need help learning about what kind of interfacing to use when making them! (http://www.sewsweetness.com/p/tutorials.html)

I just wrapped up Purse Palooza 2012 in mid-July (http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/05/purse-palooza-2012.html), but you can check that out if you're interested in seeing 40 different sewing pattern reviews from my fellow bloggers!

I am hosting a Tula Pink Sew Along in September/October. I will be announcing the full details next month on my blog, but if you like Tula Pink quilts or fabrics, you will definitely want to stay tuned for that!

Visit Sara's blog Sew Sweetness! http://www.sewsweetness.com

*** Do you make bags? ***

*** What was the last pattern you made? ***

*** New Here? ***

.. a bit about me

Be sure you are signed up for my email newsletter so you get the info when I send it out .. see the right side bar
... listen to my weekly Radio Shows! http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/radio/index.html  ALL recorded so subscribe by Itunes or download directly from the link
...Read my Daily Blog Blog - http://blog.patsloan.com/
...I have a GREAT Quilt group where you can meet lots of quilt friends
http://www.Quiltmashup.com
...I twitter http://twitter.com/QuilterPatSloan
And Join me at Facebook for some fun! http://www.facebook.com/PatSloanQuiltFun

Comments

[Betty]

I can join the ladies on loving to make purses and handbags. I am fully retired now and want to make some different ones, I will be checking into your blog, newsletter, etc. Look forward to following you about. Betty

[Jane Bitz]

Turquoise typewriter fabric dress . . . splendid!! Thanks for the intro to Sara.

[Sandi]

I just love Sara's colorful bag with the black handle!! I love bags... a lot!! And, I have made a lot of them. I have specific bags for specific projects and fabric stashes and books, etc. My husband would tell you that I am obsessive about bags. LOL! He might be right. :-) The last pattern I made was for a wool bag from an Indygo Junction pattern. :-)

[Logan]

I love bags too! Just not making them:( Bag construction has always hit a nerve with me! (not enough patience;)

[Linda]

I made a Nancy Zieman machine embroidery purse-fun to make....I just love all Sara's projects---I would just love to wear that typewriter dress----too cute.....it is wonderful....