Everyone meet Dee & Dory, also known on their YouTube channel as the Design Dreamers. These two wonderful ladies are our newest Fabricistas! Dee & Dory will be sharing their makes on their YouTube channel & we will be sharing them with you here as well. Before we get to watching their first make, we thought we would share a quick Q&A...1.) Tell us a little bit about yourselves...
Dee - I retired after 35 years of being an RN. My faith is very important to me and takes first place in my life. I was raised on a small farm and loved it. I feel no matter what a persons age is there’s a lot of life to live. I’m married and have 2 sons. I have only one sibling, my sister, who is very important to me.
Dory - I’m 64 years old and retired from the Michigan Department of Transportation. I’m married with no children. My husband and I served 3 years as missionaries in Eastern Europe, where I learned the Latvian language. I love traveling and have been in over 12 different countries. I love people, positivity and the farm animals we had as children. I use to sew all my clothes until I graduated from high school and then only occasionally took to it. Now I’m back to it.
2.) How did you get started on YouTube?
Dee - Just before I retired a co-worker suggested I start a YouTube channel. So when I retired, I thought “Why not? It’s now or never, it would be a good adventure to do with my sister.
Dory - My sister called me up one day and out of the blue said: “Let’s do a YouTube channel.” I said, “OK, what about?”
3.) When/How did you learn to sew?
Dee - Before I was 10 years old Mom enrolled me in 4-H. My mom was a big influence as she was an avid quilter. Through out my school years I had to make most of my clothes, if I wanted new ones.
Dory - My mom was a 4-H sewing teacher, and had taught herself to sew when she was young. She taught me to sew from infancy (or anyway I can’t remember when I didn’t sew).
4.) Give us an organizational tip:
Dee - Keep your sewing manual close to your sewing machine and have a pair of scissors next to your sewing machine, ironing board and your cutting table.
Dory - Keep your patterns organized. I use the note app on my phone where I keep a list of every pattern number and also a list of the ones I’d like to get in the future. When I purchase patterns I put them in storage boxes according to the kind they are: i.e. skirts, dresses, pants, combination. When I use a pattern I put a check mark on my app next to the pattern number and I file it in my used pattern box.
5.) What sewing machine do you work with? Do you own more than one?
Dee - I use my Heavy Duty Janome HD1000BE the most. Then my 35 year old Singer Serger. I also have a Brother Pacesetter, Vintage Kenmore and an Antique cast iron Singer.
Dory - I use my Huquavarna Viking H Class the most. I also have a vintage Kenmore, Berina Seville, Janome 500E and a Huskylock 1003 LCD serger.
6.) How much time do you spend in your sewing room?
Dee - I try to schedule 2 afternoons a week, and then whenever I can.
Dory - Not enough! About 12 hours a week.
7.) Give us three words that describe your sewing style:
Dee - Classic, Creative, Detailed
Dory - Boho, Thrifty, Adventurous
8.) Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
Dee - Clothing websites and catalogs, my sister.
Dory - I love pouring through magazines and I cut out pictures of clothes that I’m attracted to and put them in my dream book.
9.) What was your first successful project?
Dee - Black and white checkered Apron in 4-H
Dory - An Apron in 4-H
10.) If you could pass along only one piece of sewing advice, what would it be?
Dee - Relax and enjoy the process, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Dory - Don’t speed through it.
And now without further ado, here is Dee & Dory's first Fabricista make!
My Mom enrolled me in 4H when I was 10 too! My first project was a butterfly printed triangle hat, which I still have. (I.m 62)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 8, I made my Barbie an animal print vest - have that too.
Looking forward to your makes!