I couldn’t be more excited to have my lovely friend Tamara of Tamara Kate Design participating in the What’s in Your Sewing Bag series.
Tam and I first met when I joined the Montreal Modern Quilt Guild. She was the first ‘famous quilter’ that I met and I just adored how friendly she was. Never in a million years did I ever think we’d get to collaborate first with me playing with her fabric designs (which you can see here, here, and here), and then again when we were both members of the Canadian Virtual Trunk Show.
We don’t get to see one another as often as I would like, but every time I do see her it’s always a joyful time 😊 Which is why I’m thrilled for you to get to know her creative journey a little better and see what notions she loves to create with.
Let’s dive in!
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Introduction
Introduction – tell us a little about yourself! How did you get started on your quilting journey?
I’ve been quilting for about a decade now. What has become both a personal passion and a large part of my work life actually started out of necessity. I was planning to have a booth at Quilt Market to showcase my first 2 fabric collections and while I had been sewing clothing on and off since I was a young teen, I knew almost nothing about making a quilt. It was suggested I get my quilting friends to help me, but I had none of those. Maybe I could contact my local guild? “What’s a quilt guild?” I responded. So, with 2 weeks to make a few very rudimentary quilts, the internet was my guide and I became hooked!
I love this, Tam! I didn’t know that you started quilting to show off your gorgeous fabric collections. Isn’t it amazing where our creative adventures take us?!
Sewing Bag
What kind of sewing bag do you have? (e.g. did you make it? Buy it?)
I have a number of them. A couple are purchased pouches from some favourite makers, but mostly I use a very joyful one my daughter made me for my basic sewing tools and an ever-changing collection of zip pouches or drawstring bags that I’ve made for other stitching projects.
Aw, I love that your daughter made you a sewing bag. I have sewn goodies from my quilty friends, but I can just imagine how extra extra special it must be to have one made by your own kid 😉
All-Star Essentials
What are your all-star essentials? Your tried-and-true must-haves that you can never run out of?
I’m not much of a gadget junkie, but there are a few things I really enjoy having with me:
- A couple pair of fun, small scissors: why use boring ones when there are so many delightful ones out there?
- The obvious thread and needles: when a spool runs really low, I remove it from my machine drawer and toss it in a sewing bag to use up the rest by hand. A decent variety of needle types and sizes.
- Thread conditioner (the Satsuma fragrance by Sew Fine is a fave).
- My binding tools (see below)
- And I really dislike how essential my seam ripper is.
Couldn’t agree more about adorable scissors, I have a few of those kicking around the studio, too! Smart idea to toss your thread spools that are nearing empty into your sewing bag. I love the scents of Sew Fine Thread Gloss, yummalicious! You had me chuckling at your seam ripper comment – ha!
Favourite Item
What is your favourite item in your kit? Why?
My mini binding tin: a little white hinged tin box that holds a dozen sewing clips, a few very fine needles, a sheet of thimble pads, and a sweet tiny pair of matte black scissors.
Other than the obvious use for completing the final step of a quilt by hand (I really adore the slow nature of putting the final touch on my quilts, my legs tucked under me on the couch), it gets me out of most sewing jams.
Oh, and I’m quite fond of the old family darning egg that I swiped from my mom recently. While I haven’t used it yet, I like that it’s in there just in case, and it makes me think of all the stitchers who came before me.
How funny, Tam, I just discovered a darning egg that was in my mum’s sewing stash. It’s beyond abused and well-worn, which instantly makes me think of all the projects that it was used in 😊
And I couldn’t agree more about loving the hand-binding stage of the quilt-making journey. It was something I dreaded when I first started quilting, but have come to love the quiet and slow process of seeing the binding get tacked down!
Surprise Item
What’s one thing we’d be surprised to find in your bag?
Hand cream and lip balm. When I’m this up-close and personal with my hands for extended periods, I realize just how dried out they are (and I dislike the feel of very dry skin holding a needle), which tends to make me think of how dry my lips are.
Ugh, dry hands are the worst! I totally get what you mean when you say you don’t enjoy holding a needle with dry skin, I’m right there with you!
Quilt Kits Will Travel
When do you find yourself using your kit the most? (Travelling, on the sofa, attending sew-ins?)
I always have some version of a sewing bag with me when I travel. Lately, it’s been more the drawstring variety with a needlepoint project in it. Keeping my hands busy creating something colourful at a meditative pace helps the introvert in me feel at ease while I’m away from home. I love the simplicity of needlepoint… working with a relatively thick yarn on a canvas with large holes, and repeating a simple little diagonal stitch, means things move along pretty quickly while my mind can wander wherever it might want.
I have seen your gorgeous needlepoint designs, Tam, and I’ve been tempted to explore that craft too 😉 I just worry that I’ll be buried in yarn – ha!
Travel Memory
What’s your favourite travel memory with your sewing bag?
Sitting outside in the summer with a glass of wine, stitching while chatting with family or friends.
Oh, that sounds blissful! We should make our next coffee date a wine and stitching date – ha!
Where Can We Find You?
Tell people where we can find you.
My new website: tamarakatedesign.com to see my fabrics, quilt patterns & needlepoint kits and to find out about my teaching and lecturing.
Instagram: @tamarakatedesign
Anything else you’d like to share?
Thanks for this Shannon. When things warm up, come by for coffee!
You know how much I adore our chats – can’t wait!! And it’s me who thanks you for taking the time to share insight into your creative process, and giving us a sneak peek inside your sewing bag and tin. Keep up the great work, I’m excited to see where your adventures take you! 😊
For more What’s in Your Sewing Bag fun, check out these guests:
- Annie from Annie Tremblay
- Victoria from Midlife Quilter
- Nicole from Modern Handcraft
- Lilo from Trace Creek Quilting
- Libs from Libs Elliott
Happy quilting!
xo
Shannon
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