In February we interviewed a bunch of people in hopes of finding a range of talents with varied availability to fill some positions that had been recently vacated. We ended up finding a half dozen part-time team members to replace three full time team members which explains how we jumped up to 22 employees. We're excited to introduce you to the 2019 gh team! Meet Rachel S (we hired TWO Rachels - 1 Sews, 1 Knits!).
When did you start making things?
I learned to sew in 2008. I needed something to lose myself in to get through a broken heart. Sewing became my go-to therapy, particularly during hard times.
What's your favorite thing to make?
I've always enjoyed making baby bibs - real big colorful ones with a giant front pocket to catch all the fallen food. Instead of using hook and loop closure I use big cute novelty buttons and fun top stitches. Also totes and doll clothes.
What are you looking forward to the most about being a part of the gather here community?
This is a really hard question to answer! Being in the gather here environment is incredibly inspiring for a lot of reasons. I love and admire your commitment to inclusivity and your enthusiasm for making and how it ties into social empowerment. I'm psyched to be immersed in this magnificent environment of craft fibers so I can gain knowledge for myself and put it all to use, but more importantly so I can be of service to other makers and inspire them to love making.
What's your favorite tool?
Ummm I love my buttonhole foot. And my rotary cutter.
What do you do when you aren't making things?
When I'm not making I dance lindy hop. I attend class every week with this wonderful organization, Boston Lindy Hop. Lindy Hop is a sub genre of swing dance. It's this fun partner dance that was born in African American communities of Harlem, NY in the 1920s. Lindy is magical to me because it can be this sort of silly, wild and spontaneous dance... or it can be like chill, cool and sophisticated. It's dynamic and fluid - I love it.
Things I've been making:
My sewing has been on pause for a little while because of school; right now I'm doing a lot of work in CAD art and fashion sketching (plus transitioning jobs). But I have a couple patterns that I plan to be working on. One is the Leni Top by Tessuti Fabrics. The picture attached just shows the fabric I'm using, my pieces cut out on my drafting table and the image from the pattern of what the top will look like once finished.
