Third in my Behind The Bu series, everything comes together in this one, literally. It’s is all about the sewing, actually taking the gorgeous fabric and turning it into something functional.
I’ve been sewing since I was in middle school (I refuse to say exactly how many years ago that was, so don’t ask!). I learned how to make clothes and bags, and once I did that, I wasn’t very interested. I’ve always thought it cool, but never had the drive to learn more about it. I picked it back up when I moved out on my own and found it was way too expensive to buy the kind of drapes and home furnishings I wanted. So, I made them.
My mom taught me everything I know about sewing. Well, to be honest there was a home-ec teacher in there somewhere too, but since I can’t remember her name, and can barely remember the class, I say that doesn’t count. My mom has been sewing forever, my whole life (again, not saying exactly how long), and she got started with her mother, and so on. It’s a cool thing to look back and have all that heritage of seamstresses in the family. I would have loved to have sewn with them all. My mom can sew anything, but really loves to sew clothing and home decor. I hate to sew clothing, but can sew a mean drape, and of course all kinds of bamboo.
I think that’s one of the reasons my designs are no-frill, I’m a no-nonsense person. My products are all born out of need. My daughter needed a blanket, my son needed a lovey, my son needed diapers, etc., etc. All the designs fit those particular needs from that time in our lives. They were designed to work, and work hard. The designs could be purely functional, after all, since the fabric is exceptional.
That’s probably where my love of dyeing came to be. I didn’t want blankets and towels and diapers that were complicated. I wanted a simple design to showcase the beauty of the color, and to highlight the luxury of the fabric.
Plus, I’m a tactile gal. I like the feel of things, and there is no doubt that nothing feels better than a Bu.
