Nick Verreos - From the Little Boy Sketching Under the Tree to Project Runway

Travel with us to Andalusia, Spain for an amazing conversation with Cristina Arcenegui Bono whole cloth quilter extraordinaire!

(2:27) How did Cristina learn to sew? Well…she never really did!

(3:15)Who is her inspiration? How about her 40 cousins?! And wait…there’s more!

(5:16) Cristina started out her career in the Travel & Tourism industry in London…to help improve her English. She shares that story here.

(7:05) Cristine used to frequent haberdashery shops www.libertylondon.com which fueled her love for textile art. It all began when she came to London and the first thing she did was to visit the museums. And then there’s the story of how she learned to cross-stitch because she became very ill.

(10:10) The movie How to Make an American Quilt was a springboard for her ambitions, hear the story here…it was all about community!

(13:07) Her work is stunning…many of which are made for the sole purpose of entering contests. She shares a story of one these competitions, the quilt and what made this so meaningful.

(16:40) Her quilts are based on the illustrations of Johanna Basford www.johannabasford.com, Daira Song @daria486, Rita Berman @rite.berman and Svete Dorosheva www.svetsdorosheva.com. She explains her focus on children living authentic childhoods!

(20:50) Her signature quilts are pictorial whole cloth quilts. She explains what this is. And, what it’s like to listen “incognito” to people experiencing her quilts at exhibitions. 

(24:43) Patchwork quilts weren’t popular in Spain at the turn of the century. Why? She explains. www.SpanishPatchworkAssociation.org

(27:35) in 2005 she bought her first longarm and opened her quilting business. How’s it going?! She tells us here. 

(29:54) The pandemic opened a whole new world for Cristina teaching on line. She talks about the positives that came into her life!

(32:10) What inspires her? Her childhood…and her cousins! Traveling means a lot as she saw her first hummingbird…and a Zebra. Not to mention all those she gets to meet on the road. When she taught in California and needed to then get to Houston, she took a train to experience the country – the trip of her life… including a sunset in Arizona. 

(36:04) What’s her dream? To get published in a magazine and to teach in Korea and Japan. Why there? She explains!

(38:06) Finally, what didn’t we ask? 

(28:23) Want to contact Cristina? Facebook Cristina Arcenegui Bono, Instagram @cristinaarceneguibono, and www.crisarcbono.com

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Handbag Designer 101 – is synonymous with Emily Blumenthal as she has done it all. What makes her different is that she takes her creations one step further in teaching not only HOW to design…but what to do next with your creations. Born and raised as a New Jersey Girl, she now makes her home on the lower East side of New York.

(2:55) It was the entrepreneurial spirit that her parents instilled in her that got her on her way to where she is today. Hear how ADHD helped her along the journey.

(4:24) Who else was an influence on her? Well, both parents of course in the garment industry…and there was more as her whole family were entrepreneurs!

(6:05) What were her first creations? Well…first she learned how to find things to sell.

(7:28) So, why did she choose to design handbags? Necessity is the mother of invention – combined with dance parties!

(8:47) What’s her process for design? She tells us about this and how Kate Spade had a hand in things with her.

(13:50) Learn the difference between a utility patent and a design patent!

(14:50) How are the various designers she works with? They are “all the same”! And she offers words of caution and advise for those who create.

(16:55) Emily works with investors and provides counsel to designers about the future. How does this work? She also explains why items in color cost more than items in black or white.

(22:35) And then there’s the “what Now” moment. Emily explains what this is and how to manage it.

(23:30) Emily is a podcasted…Handbag Design 101. She takes us inside this show.

(25:41) Why did the New York Times call her the Handbag Fairy Godmother?

(39:59) The handbag awards launched the careers of multiple designers. Emily tells us about some of them!

(31:55) Kidpreneurship and Savvy Suzanna. What are these? Emily tells us.

(35:54) What’s next for Emily? How about an Out of Office on her email!

(37:56) And what didn’t I ask…? 

(39:00) How do you find Emily? HBD101 on Facebook and Handbag Designed on everything else.

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Only coming to quilting 5 years ago, Linda Diak has had a life full of creativity. She’s raised and sheered her own sheep for fibers to spin. She’s crafted knitting needles and crochet hooks, and beautiful bespoke art quilts. Her newfound love for quilting began at a chance opportunity to sit down at a long arm and well…let’s let her tell you more.

(2:00) How did she learn to sew? Her grandmother was a tailor and furrier who took the reins. However, it wasn’t easy because grandma did it faster! Her mother was a maker too.

(3:45) Marietta Jones was quite an influence on both Linda and her grandmother. Founder of the Shuttle Craft Hand Guild in the 1940’s and 50’s whose focus was on bringing hand weaving back to America. Looms were everywhere in her home. Linda tells us her story.

(5:49) At 18 years old, Linda went to Atlanta to go to design school and where this ended up was not initially apparent to her. The first of many twists and turns.

(9:00) A heard of sheep, guard llamas, dogs, cats and more. Linda tells us how this menagerie came to be, how she crafted fibers and the evolution of her company to DyakCraft.

(12:35) Linda takes us through the process of creating fibers from sheering the sheep to spinning the fibers. It’s not easy…learn more than you ever thought was involved!

(15:32) And how did Grafton Fibers become DiakCraft…yet another unforeseen twist!

(19:00) What was the impetus for Linda to begin to create art quilts? Yet another life event led her to this new endeavor. 

(20:54) How does she choose the subjects of her quilts? She shares this with us here.

(21:50) What are her favorite creations? Baskim Farms for one! Hear about this organization and the wonderful sustainable work they do.

(24:08) Sitting down at a long arm five years ago at Waterwheel Quilt Shop in Londonderry, VT was life changing. She knew in this moment that quilting would play a large part in the rest of her life.

(25:30) The Rutland Plywood Company played a part in yet another life changing event. Linda tells us this story.

(29:40) What’s her favorite creation? It’s the thing she just finished making!

(30:55) The recipient of a recent WomensNet Amber Grant, Linda tells us about the history of this award and how she won this recognition.

(33:12) What inspires Linda? Nature, animals, color, lines and the work of others!

(43:50) Linda’s mother had a great influence on her. A director of nursing in Youngstown, OH her pragmatism and common sense was instilled in Linda. This sense of self and independence has served Linda well. And her father…his influence was paramount as well. 

(38:00) Linda is involved with VINE rescue. She tells us about this organization, their work and how she supports them. Hear the story of the travels of Tiki the Emu!

(41:26) What’s next and what’s her dream?!

(42:30) You can reach Linda at www.lindadiakquilts.com and linda@lindadiakquilts.com. Facebook and Instagram as well!

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Owner of Kinship Handwork, Tina VanDenburg has lived life others simply dream of. Ready for chances, and learning from experiences, Tina left no stone unturned in searching for passion, peace, and a fully lit-up life.

Born and raised near Grand Rapids, MI, her sewing journey began when she couldn’t find cloths that fit her body. Before that she lived in Alaska then returned to Michigan and built houses as a carpenter. 

She blogs and has a vibrant podcast called In Kinship.

(2:06) How did Tina learn how to sew…through osmosis and independence!

(2:55) Tina’s grandmother was a sewist – but Tina never really paid attention. Her grandmother’s creativity left an indelible mark on her…but Tina really didn’t understand…until it was too late. She explains…here and how her grandmother is still with her now anytime she sews.

(6:04) In her 20’s Tina traveled to Alaska to live – she takes us on this adventure to Denali National Park, Anchorage and Seward. She also talks about her decision about college and her future and how a BIG job changed her life when she realized that there was more to living than a bag phone. Alaska opened her mind and changed her trajectory.

(10:45) And then…she returned to Michigan missing her family and wanting to meet her new nephew. Alaska was never far from her heart.

(11:25) Being curious and adventurous got her into the next phase of her life…the purchase of a brick-and-mortar bookstore. It was that “little voice”!  And then…she learned to sew…and there was a “gateway dress.”

(20:25) Tina believes that we can take our lives – the whole experience” into our own hands. She loves to disconnect from the “should” to create the life she wants. This free spirit tells us more. Some of this came from an experience in Alaska – go figure!

(23:45) Learn about her four steps to a peace filled, joyful day. These practices have and continue to set her up to feel grounded and capable.

(25:09) Tina does many things to remain empowered…she talked about her many interests and skills.

(27:01) Tina describes the Fully Lit-up Life!

(31:15) Community and gathering with others is paramount to Tina and sharing it is even more energizing. Especially on her podcast In Kinship. 

(32:26) She does retreats on Mackinac Island – she takes us through one!

(33:21) What inspires Tina? Authenticity, Bravery and more!

(35:00) What’s tina’s secret aspiration? She shares this here for the first time!

(35:57) Her podcast In Kinship began a year ago and since that time she’s had some remarkable conversations. She shares a few of them here. 

(43:23) What’s her dream? Well…it’s shifted because of a few notable life events. And…then there’s two acres and a little house on wheels!

(45:13) What didn’t we ask? 

(45:50) Want to reach out to Tina? Her website is www.kinshiphandwork.com, you can find all there! 

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Show Notes: Yvette Todd 

Yvette Todd’s creation Stash Hub is only one year old, but it’s already made bold strides in helping sewists organize their fabric, patterns, and plan sewing projects.

Only sewing since 2020, Yvette grew up in Portsmouth England. She attended the University of Bath where she met her husband…a union that proved essential to the creation and success of the Stash Hub App. 

(1:59) Yvette shares stories of her childhood and how these experiences led to where she is today. 

(4:00) As Yvette began her sewing journey her projects became more frequent and more complex. There was no one in her family that actually sewed so her inspiration came from within!

(5:25) Prior to founding Stash Hub…her studies focused on Biochemistry. Her husband Doug was a biochemist as well.

(6:17) So, how did she come up with the idea for Stash Hub?She tells us here.

(7:58) Her mission is to help sewists fall back in love with their fabric stashes. She explains why managing fabric inventory is a universal challenge. 

(9:33) So what does she recommend for sewists who come home with arm loads of emotional fabric purchases? She offers advice here!

(12:08) Yvette works with her husband Doug in this venture…she talks about how this works and is working.

(13:35) Celebrating 1 year the app has gone through multiple iterations. She talks about this evolution.

(15:12) Hosting “Stash Chats” online, Yvette has shared numerous experiences with participants. She shares several stories with us.

(17:00) Does Yvette share life experiences with others in the sewing community? Well, there’s Natalie…

(18:12) She goes in depth about those members of her community and why this is so very important to her. Especially when she sewed through her finger!

(20:16) Yvette share’s information about Mel’s Refugees and how sewists can de-stash their fabric and donate items to this organization.

(21:20) Yvette loves to talk about sewing. She explains this passion.

(24:03) And…what’s next for her?  She also shares her crazy dream based on the TV show The Home Medic. Listen to what she hopes for and it’s something you can help her with!

(25:46) Was there a question we didn’t ask? Well, yes actually there was…she explains here.

(27:11) To contact Yvette, @stash_hub, hello@stashhubapp.com and stashhubclub on Facebook.

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Show Notes: Susan Khalje 

Susan Khalje joins us for this episode of Sew & So to take us into the world of couture sewing. Owner of the eponymous Susan Khalje Couture, she is also the longest contributing author to Threads Magazine. www.threadsmagazine.com Author of Bridal Couture and Linen and Cotton she also hosted Sew Much More on HGTV, teaches internationally, and hosts annual trips for groups of couture enthusiasts to Paris and London.

(1:39) Susan learned to sew in high school when sewing was a part of the school curriculum…her grandmother helped too!

(2:57) The first few things she sewed were definitely products of the times! She explains…

(4:10) What exactly is couture? “Sewing’s Equivalent to Gourmet Cooking!” And…she explains why loving the entire process is so very important. 

(5:20) Chez Cez et Bez https://www.taunton.com/contributors/susan-khalje/ where Susan trained was a turning point for her. She tells us the story of her transformation. She, Cez and Bez formed a trio of powerful committed couture sewists. And the pace…it was “lovely” and exhilarating!

(8:24) Post Cez et Bez Susan went to a ready to wear company knowing that if she wanted to be on her own, she needed to learn more about the business. And…learn she did!

(10:09) Susan lived abroad for many years in Afghanistan then Amsterdam. She tells us about this experience and her ultimate return to the States. First, there was a call to Nina Hyde Fashion Editor at the Washington Post to seek career counsel. This started her down the road of wedding dress couture.

(12:24) Her escape from Afghanistan turned out to be more than she has anticipated – she explains.

(13:23) Susan has a wonderful process for designing wedding dress couture…she walks us through it all!

(16:42) And her favorite creation…? 17th century lace and a detachable train. 

(18:24) Who were her well known clients? Mrs. Rockefeller, Lauren Bacall, Kitty Carlisle, Mrs. Richard Rodgers to name a few! Cez et Bez were quite the designers…Susan tells us about them.

(19:53) Susan shares her feelings about couture sewing and why she loves it so very much.

(21:13) She takes us through the 5 elements of couture sewing. Design, Fabric, Fit/Proportion, Engineering, and Construction.

(22:47) Susan and Kenneth D. King did a You Tube video called “the ethics of wearing vintage couture.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg9olZ3I56Q&t=73s She explains why they felt the necessity to do this!

(25:35) Why does Susan say she’s a good example of figuring out how to carve your own path and do what you love to do? And she explains how her international field trips began.

(29:20) Susan has a sewing club that has created quite the community – so she takes us through its creation… and the myriad ways to stay connected.

(33:32) Susan hosts international couture trips to Paris, in fact she just returned from one. Walk the streets of Paris with her and she takes us through their adventures.

She talks about the company Leclerc whose influence has transcended the ages. And…the art of giftwrapping!

(40:06) What’s next for Susan? More of the same for sure…with a small twist! Her dream?! To have shared what she has been lucky enough to live.

(42:11) And, what didn’t we ask?! Listen here!! 

(42:47) To reach Susan, to www.susankhalje.com and susan@susankhalje.com

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Sarah Veblen from Sarah Veblen Clothing Originals has led a life dreaming of owning hew own business and in 1985 it all came true. Now an Haute Couture mainstay, she shares her story of taking chances and achieving her dream!

(2:28) Sarah shares her story of learning to sew…her mom said she was already sewing circles around her by 9th grade. She also explains what it means to be a “thinking sewer”.

(4:30) Why does she feel that sewists shouldn’t blindly follow instructions? The person who drafted the pattern and the one who wrote the instructions don’t know anything about the specific sewist and their unique needs and skills. She works with her students to individualize each product.

(7:26) Sarah shares her story of when she worked as an Executive Secretary and how that had an impact on her sewing skills.

(8:40) Sewing her daughter’s clothing had a profound impact on how she sews…she explains…!

(10:40) What inspires her today?! Well, it’s fabric…she tells us why.

(13:49) Sarah has a degree from Stanford…how has she applied this education to her career today? It was the rigorous amount of writing she did throughout college that prepared her to use language, write and edit. Then when David Coffin from Threads Magazinewww.threadsmagazine.com called…she was all ready to go!

(16:32) In all the work she was doing…she decided to add teaching to her repertoire. Loving the fitting part of the process was the imputes for this…she explains. She also tells us how creating custom clothing is extremely stressful as you are creating something that doesn’t exist!

(20:25) Sarah shares a story about how her guidance helped an unenthusiastic bride understand what she wanted and then alter her wedding dress to make is just perfect.

(23:50) She loved the complexity of garment making. What does this mean to her and how does this inspire her work?

(26:20) Sarah discusses the importance of fitting a garment correctly. “When we feel right in our cloths, we are more relaxed in ourselves, and this allows us to be more creating and react better.”

(29:15) How do garments enrich our lives? By releasing our creativity and giving us a fuller rounder life. She explains this premise in depth. 

(31:51) What’s important for sewists to keep in mind when they sew? Have fun with it – Sarah tells us what this means to her. And, she explains how to know when it’s time to reach out to someone for help! 

(34:28) When asked to tell us about her 5 grandchildren Sarah lights up…sharing what they do together and what’s important! Are there future sewists in the group? You bet there are! And they all call her Sassy!

(37:38) What’s next for Sarah and what’s her dream? Retiring…probably not quite yet. Her focus in cutting back just a little is to develop a legacy of information that will be available in perpetuity. @Sarahveblenliving originals channel on You Tube.

(40:00) And what didn’t we ask her that is important to her…find out here! 

(41:26) Sarah can be contacted at sarah@sarahveblen.com, www.saranveblen.com and she will do her very best to personally respond to all correspondence. 

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Our guest today is Kelly Dempsey – a sustainable fashion designer and Project Runway Season 14 runner-up. She has become a leading voice for sustainability and equitability in the fashion industry and has been featured on Good Morning American and in Marie Claire.

Born and raised in Munsen, MA, Kelly taught herself to upcycle when she was 9 years old. Bullied in school, she used these experiences to eventually launch a terrifically successful career.

Her passion for upcycling has led her to numerous opportunities - several of which are her courses on sewing and upcycling.

When not teaching or creating, Kelly loves to be in nature. She currently lives in Boston with her boyfriend of 10 years.

(1:34) How did Kelly learn to sew? As a 9-year-old she started to experiment! As a kid she would shop at the secondhand store two doors down and since she was in a small town…she inevitably ended up buying her school mate’s clothes. This led to some pretty intense bullying. So…she experimented and learned to make her own clothing.

(3:45) In the bullying she experienced, Kelly said it ignited her to be strong. Listen as she gives advice to those who are being bullied today.

(5:17) And then there’s “Kelly from the Deli” who stared on Project Runway. Here’s her story about this adventure. And…she got a surprise email to be on the show.

(7:10) While on Project Runway, Kelly took Tim Gunn to the Deli where she had worked. She had often dreamed of this…and 10 years to the day she first thought of it…he was there!

(8:00) How did she finally get to be on the show. Well after sleeping in her car many times…she never gave up. She takes us on the journey.

(9:30) She was he only self-taught designer on the show…she explains how this felt and how it motivated her!

(10:28) Kelly takes us behind the scenes of Project runway and shares with us the different requirements. And how she had to put her life on hold for the duration of filming the show.

(13:30) Kelly talks about fast fashion and how it adds to pollution worldwide. 1 in four people in the world are garment workers…and most are women. She describes the conditions they work in. 

(18:20) What can we as consumers do with the clothing we no longer need? Kelly explains the theory of shopping our closets. She also talks about her “Mittens for Good” initiative sponsored by BERNINA.

(20:58) Kelly explains upcycling and how to get started.

(22:44) Mettler Thread https://www.amann-mettler.com/en/ and Kelly just completed one of her very favorite upcycling projects. She talks about this and some of her other favorite projects.

(25:06) She takes us through the process she follows to create her courses.

(26:11) Kelly’s heard “NO” many times…she tells us abut how she worked her way through a few of these times. Starting with sending 50 emails a day! What you’re seeking is seeking you!

(28:14) So, what’s next? How about being an ambassador for the New York Fashion Act?! https://www.thefashionact.org/ But wait...there’s more!

(30:00) What’s her dream?!

(30:28) And what didn’t I ask? Well, how about her being on a billboard in Time Square during New York Fashion Week?! There was definitely Karma involved!

(31:55) To reach out to Kelly go to her Face Book and Instagram. Lots of links on Instagram! Also www.Kelleydempsey.com.

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website www.sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our guests. 

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Born in Salinas Kansas and eventually raised in Oklahoma, Kenneth knew at a very young age who he was and what he wanted to do. He just didn’t understand the road he would travel to get there.

He earned a BS in fashion merchandising from Central State University in Wilberforce, OH and learned pattern making in San Francisco from Paris trained Simmin Sethna

Kenneth has sold to boutiques across the country such as Maxfield, Wilkes Bashford, and Ultimo. His work has appeared in music videos and television commercials…he designed for Geena Davis, Cloris Leachman, Bernie Taupin and Elton John He’s also been featured on the red carpet for the Oscars.  His creations are in the permanent collections of the De Young Museum in San Francisco, the L.A. County Museum of Art, The Oakland Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Fashion Institute of New York and teaches around the United States and online. He’s a Contributing Editor and author to Threads Magazine, has courses on Craftsy and Burda, and has written many books on couture sewing techniques.

Kenneth currently lives in New York with his husband Andrew Marley.

(2:19) Kenneth takes us back to his childhood, talks of his parents and the people who have powerful influences in his life. He tells us when he started and what he liked to sew. His move to Oklahoma was traumatic, but he used this to fuel his resolve.

(6:44) Why did Kenneth choose to sew as an outlet? He explains… And he introduces us to Estelle.

(7:55) His grandmother was his champion in his finding himself. He introduces us to her.

(9:55) Who is Norma and how did she influence Kenneth? He talks us back to their meeting in 1983 and shares this story…

(13:36) Kenneth expounds on the influence that San Francisco’s Beaux Arts architecture had had on his work.

(15:00) How does Kenneth feels about beauty in creativity in today’s modern design? Pretty strongly as he explains. And don’t use the word “edgy”! As part of this, he takes us inside San Francisco’s famous Opera house and describes the reopening gala performance.

(19:12) Kenneth’s creations are not just worn, they are a part of the whole experience. He explains what this means…the person wearing it is the star!

(20:14) He has developed several techniques to make his creations more wearable and comfortable…he shares a few of these secrets.

(21:40) And what took Kenneth to San Francisco…? He takes us on this fortuitous journey.

(22:55) Mariano Fortuny www.fortuny.com had a technique that greatly influenced Kenneth as did Swarovski www.swarovski.com. Hear about these influences and how he created a chair slipcover for Swarovski.

(26:32) And how did Elton John get one of Kenneth’s footstools? This is quite a story…hear it here! Elton John also owns a lot of “the good stuff” See several of Elton’s videos featuring Kenneth’s creations https://www.kennethdking.com/copy-of-what-s-new.

(30:52) Now a part of pop culture…he has created for red carpets and many A List stars. He shares a few of the stories of how this came to be. And how does it work today…he shares the process and why is doesn’t work for him now.

(32:29) The Orchid Broach which he created in 1987…but didn’t wear until his wedding day in 2016 is an important part of his life. Learn why. And hear the story of how he met his now husband. And…then there’s the famous evening embellishment vests – a signature style of his.

(40:36) Doll Couture: The Story of Lolawww.lolatheshowgirl124.com is Kenneth’s upcoming new book. The story of how this tome came to be is a wonderful as the book itself. Kenneth shares the backstory and gives us a sneak peek at the book’s plot.

(44:06) And what’s the best decision he ever made?! His answer to a pointed question steered the course of his life.

(47:10) What’s his dream and what’s next? Well spy clothes and his Screen Play.

(50:50) To reach out to him go to www.kennethdking.com and at Instagram @Kennethdking

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Our guest in this episode is Catherine Stephenson who lives in Ajijic, Mexico. The owner and name behind Catherine Stephenson Couture, she’s been in the sewing world doing what she loves for more than 35 years.

Originally from Portland OR, she travelled to Madison WI to earn her BA in textiles and clothing from the University of Wisconsin. Returning to Portland after that, she opened her business and worked to create the Custom Clothing Guild that eventually became the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers (PACC). All of this led to…well, let’s let her tell you her story!

(3:06) Catherine tells us how she began to sew and who inspired her as a youth, then in Madison, WI as a high school sophomore. Then, when she went to the University, there was a sewing program that enticed her to attend there. AND – a textile chemistry lab. Then, she talks about the ready to wear industry and why it wasn’t for her.

(9:26) What initially took her to Madison from Portland. Well, there was a connection there from the beginning.

(10:26) She was taught in a system that funneled people into the ready to wear industry. Why? Catherine explains!

(12:36) Catherine talks about fast fashion and where it’s going…what our culture supports. (14:42) Catherine talks about what it took to found the Custom Clothing Guild of Oregon in January of 1992…to her…is was easy peazy! 

(20:02) Catherine explains the quality standards and how they are implemented industry wide by the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals (ASDP) (31:01) She talks about Linda Stewart and how together they developed the Master Sewing & Design Certification Program.

(24:10) Catherine talks about her own career and the long-term relationships she has with her clients. It’s the specialness of each unique piece. It’s all a symbiotic process and price range/timing is a part of it! And, why she’ll only do special events now.

(30:40) Why did she close her business? Well, global warming had a little to do with it…as well as a special culture in the Ex-Pat community of Ajijic. They are a part of building Mexico’s first co-housing community. What is this? She explains!

(34:00) Both Catherine and her husband are artists. She talks in depth about their work and his world renown Spotify channel!

(37:31) Ajijic Chic is her line of “Easy Fit Clothing for Lakeside Living”. Catherine talks about how she envisioned this, made it happen and how she brings her creations to her customers.

(43:17) Fast Fashion? Oh yes, she does have an opinion about it. She takes us through her thinking. And what this has done to the value of sewing.

(48:10) What didn’t I ask? Catherine talks about her association’s relationship with the Department of Labor to develop and run a 2-year apprenticeship program to teach people to sew and eventually get into the job market. There is also a non-profit that people go through to contribute to this program.

You can reach Catherine on her website which is www.cscouture.com, or email her directly at Catherine@cscouture.com Her husband Allen’s library on Mixcloud can be found at https://auralfixations.allanstephenson.com

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

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