Studio Tour!

I moved to Portland last February, I think it’s time to share my little space here!

Growing up, my mom always had a sewing area in our house. For a long time it was our dining room. And then I went to school for Fiber Art and so obviously always had a little sewing area in my room. When I graduated I followed my mom’s lead and set up a dining room table (but in my bedroom…) for my sewing. In grad school I had the luxury of a dedicated studio space, and then after that I moved into an excellent studio space in North Philly with dear friends. I honestly don’t expect to find a studio as nice as that one again…

This is all to say that I am very used to having a sewing area or studio space of some kind, and over the years I’ve grown accustomed to a relatively large space. So when moving to Portland, I knew I needed something that could accomplish my lofty goals. Enter my basement studio!

I have a cutting table that is adjustable height, an ironing station, my industrial machine, and a long table for sewing machines or potential other needs (but who am I kidding, I’m always sewing). Ikea cube shelves hold all my fabrics, and if you ever want to buy a quilt from me so that I can free up some wall space, I am here and available!

Like usual, I will leave you with my upcoming events - the quilt class is very far in the future but they tend to fill, so if you’re interested in making a quilt with me, don’t delay! Sign up at Modern Domestic

Looking Towards Fall...

Hello friends and blog readers,

Flowers from Maple Street Flower Stand

Sunset at the rose garden

I come to you with some summer reflections and fall updates!

  • My first summer in the PNW has been full of swimming, sewing, and visits from friends and family.

  • I was a vendor at 2 big markets - Bend Handmade and Portland Pride.

  • Taught a few classes in both Portland and Seattle - we ice dyed beach towels!

This fall I am teaching a small handful of classes at Modern Domestic - take a look at what they have to offer and consider joining me on a sewing journey!

The quilt class is full but you can join me in a one-night visible mending venture, or spend 3 weeks learning the basics of foundation paper piecing (FPP)! FPP is a very fun way to get extremely precise shapes in quilting, which allows for itty bitty, detailed squares. We will learn the process and then make a pillow!

Also, I’ve got a little shop update! A few new upcycled safety vests and my full quilt coat stock have been added to the list. Check it out here . I really love making these vests and getting to add the small details to fix them up. I hope you enjoy them too. Similarly, each quilt has a little story to it, as most of the quilts and fabrics I use have some sort of connection to me. I tried to add some of those details in the listings~

Thanks for coming to my little space of the internet, and being interested in what I’m making! I’m happy to be here.

Upcoming Workshops!

Wondering where you can see me IRL in 2024?! Here’s the start!

February 28-March 2 - Sewing & Stitchery Expo, Puyallup WA

First, I’m teaching a bunch of workshops at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA! You can view all the classes and register to attend the Expo here

  1. Sun Prints on Fabric

  2. Dyeing for Color

  3. Beginner Crochet (the first class already sold out and they added a second one!)

  4. Crochet a Granny Square Vest

  5. Creating Symbols as Memory Markers

Saturday, March 16th - Summit Selvage

Make Your Own Sherpa Bucket Hat! 2-6pm

Learn how to create a cute and cozy reversible bucket hat! Participants will learn how to pick fabrics, basic pattern cutting, machine sewing and simple hat making techniques. All materials provided, basic machine sewing knowledge required.

March + April - The Works, Seattle WA

Then, I will be teaching crochet and tufting classes at The Works in Seattle! I have taught dozens of tufting classes and I love it every time. Rug tufting with a machine is so satisfying and fun, I’m looking forward to sharing the joy in this art space in Seattle!

Intro to Tufting

Spend a day learning the art of rug tufting! Create a small one-of-a-kind rug or wall hanging from rug yarn using an electric tufting machine. Almost like drawing, the machine rapidly pokes yarn through a backing cloth, allowing you to create any type of design with a variety of yarn colors to choose from.

In this 5 hour class, you will:

  • Gain insight into the fundamental techniques of operating a tufting machine.

  • Experience the joy and simplicity of rug tufting.

  • Get hands-on help from a tufting pro!

  • Receive finishing instructions on how to cut, glue, and finish your tufted piece.

You will leave class having created your own rug or wall hanging, approximately 2’x2’. As always, all materials will be provided, and all skill levels are welcome!

Sunday, March 17, 10am-3pm

Saturday, March 30, 10am-3pm

Saturday, April 27, 10am-3pm

 
 

Intro to Crochet

We start from scratch and end 4 weeks with 3 finished projects! You will finish this 4 week series with a beanie, produce bag, and granny square sling bag plus the confidence to tackle any crochet project you dream of!

Thursdays, February 22-March 14, 6:30-8:30pm

In Other News

And the rest of my life?

 

Doing accounting homework and reminiscing about Wegman’s at my dog coat job

 

It’s a new quarter at Entrepreneurship Community College and I am deep in accounting homework. After a Bachelors and a Masters degree, I made it through without ever taking college level math (thanks Art School!) I am certainly learning a lot about accounting….

 

Tulum, MX

 

In mid January I went on vacation with my sister and her partner to Isla Mujeres, Mexico! We had been planning the trip for over a year and it was a perfect time.

 

Sublimation prints that I made at the Federal Way library!!!

 

February 1st I decided to make the leap and move down to Portland, OR! I have housing and not much else, so if you want to connect me with people, and especially jobs, send them my way! I am looking for (ideally) part time work in arts education or admin while I keep this little biz going. I’ll leave you with a final note from my exercise video; it’s just you and your butt

xo,

Vivien

A Journey in Entrepreneurship & Upcoming Craft Fairs

I moved from Philly to Seattle in late August, and set out trying to figure out what I should do for work. I’ve been selling stuff at craft fairs for a long time, I love sewing and I’ve decided to make the leap and try it full time!

on the beach at Discovery Park in October

My plan is to expand what I sell to include sewing and quilting services! I will move my focus to quilting, offering quilt coats (custom or ready-made), quilt hats (?!), and a variety of smaller quilted items, like my cast iron skillet mittens, and potholders. I will still continue to offer all my hand-sewn sustainable home goods in addition - reusable sandwich wraps, reusable snack packs, “unpaper” towels made from flannel, and reusable coffee filters.

In preparation, I’ve been taking a bunch of business classes! I am doing an Entrepreneurship certificate at North Seattle Community College, and a Business Basics class through Ventures. I’m learning about marketing, and finding my “break even” in finances! I have a never ending to-do list of things to prepare, ideas to work, etc. I’ve been talking other quilters to learn about the ins-and-outs of offering quilting services, and how to do longarm quilting for other people. If you are reading this and happen to want or know someone who wants a quilt finished, send them my way!!

And I hope by the end of this, I don’t have to keep spelling entrepreneur!

In the meantime, I am signed up for a few craft fairs this season and would love to see you there~

  1. Thursday, November 30th, 11a-4pm | North Seattle Community College

  2. Sunday, December 3rd, 10a-5pm | Urban Craft Uprising

  3. Saturday, December 9th, 12-6pm | Upcycled Holiday Market @ Recreative Georgetown