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Exclusive Interview & Giveaway for Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love!

December 3, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 30 Comments

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Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love

AllFreeSewing is so excited to have Kerry Goulder, creator of Kid Giddy to talk with us today! In addition to running a blog, shop, and more, Goulder is the creative genius behind the new book, Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love: 18 Toy Patterns for the Storytelling Sewist, which was just released this year. True to its name this book offers a fantastic journey that any imaginative sewist should take. See what Goulder has to say about what inspired her to create this collection, the challenges she had while creating it, and more!

When you’re through reading, find out how you can win your very own signed copy of Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love: 18 Toys Patterns for the Storytelling Sewist.

 

Kerry Goulder from Kid Giddy1. Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love is your first sewing book. What inspired the topic?

Everything we do in life has a story behind it. I wanted to capture some of the stories from my own life in a fun and meaningful way for my kids, to have and share later in their lives. I knew I wanted to write a story to go along with each pattern, and wanted the book to have the appeal of an old (but new) story book to be shared with loved ones while making their projects or giving them.

2. The variety of characters and elements in this book is incredible; do you usually design with someone specific in mind to give the toy to, or do these creations come to life as you sew?

Many of the patterns have been inspired by different people, places, or times in my life, as well as from my dreams. Some patterns have also been inspired by trends popping up all around, like the hot air balloon. I have never been in one and probably never will, but the beauty of them floating in the wild blue yonder is certainly tempting.

3. Do you have a favorite toy from this collection?

I’m not sure I can pick a favorite. I tell my girls that it’s not nice to pick favorites because it could make others feel left out. I will say that although some are easier and quicker to make than others, it doesn’t always mean I love those more. Many of these patterns I have held onto for years in the hopes of putting them all together in one book.

4. What was the biggest challenge for you while creating this book?

Keeping the family, church, and life balance was by far the hardest challenge. There were many days I woke up and fell asleep crying from the stress of deadlines and the feelings of being unbalanced in my life. I wondered often if I was doing the right thing, but couldn’t throw in the towel. I’m a perfectionist and wanted what was in my head to show in the book. For me that meant not just one gnome, but four, not just one mushroom or buoy, but multiples of each. I didn’t want the photos to be limited to single samples, so I made a ton of extra pieces for many of the patterns. Looking back, I wouldn’t do anything differently regarding the book or the samples, but would def bring in a sewing helper to help balance my time with my family.

5. Do you have any creative role models?

Other than my retired art teacher mom and my twin sister artist…there are a few designers I have kept tabs on since learning about them many many years ago. I discovered Heather Bailey and her invention, the Trash Ties™ when I invented the Tuck ‘n’ Go™. At the same time, I found her Nicey Jane™ and Pop Garden™ fabric lines which I still hoard in my studio. Around that same time a friend had told me about this fabric she saw recently and thought I’d like it. It was Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern™ fabrics, and yes, I hoard them too. In the past few years I’ve discovered SarahJane – she’s such a sweetheart and her fabrics are equally hoarded here. All three of them have inspired me for years to find my own voice.

6. Do your kids have a favorite toy that you’ve made (either from Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love or otherwise)?

They love all of the patterns but the Gnomes are most loved by all. When working on new patterns I don’t make anything with muslin (I guess you could say it annoys me because it is a boring color). I make all of my samples and patterns in beautiful fabrics, so my girls get to keep any “misfits” and love them despite their quirks! When a pattern works the first time, they are sad they don’t get to keep it.

7. In terms of being a published designer, what’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

I think the best advice I have ever gotten as an artist (not just a published designer) is to be true to myself. There are so many ideas out there, and so many artists are being copied left and right. We each have something to offer without having to copy someone else’s work. Learn new skills and techniques, but stay true to you and your own style. Be original so others can’t help but notice.

Thank you, Kerry!  All of the editors at AllFreeSewing are beyond excited about this treasure trove of toy patterns. If you’d like your very own copy of Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love: 18 Toy Patterns for the Storytelling Sewist, we’re giving away a copy! Even better about this copy? It’s signed by Kerry Goulder herself! Enter once a day, every day until December 16th! Best of luck to everyone!

Tell us, what was your favorite toy when you were little?

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AllFreeSewing

Editor at AllFreeSewing at AllFreeSewing.com
AllFreeSewing is the ultimate resource for quick and easy sewing patterns, tutorials, and charts. You'll find dress and bag patters, alteration guides, even instructions to help you with that pesky sewing machine. The best part? It's all absolutely free. Come and join our community!

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Filed Under: Contests & Giveaways Tagged With: Book Review, craft books, Designer, handmade toys, interview, sewing book, Sewing Books, toys

Comments

  1. Kim says

    December 3, 2013 at 11:54 am

    I had a pink teddy bear I slept with when I was very young,,,as I got older She was on my nightstand. She was always close in case I needed a hug!! Thanks for bringing back the memories-I hadn’t thought of her in quite sometime.

  2. kim dawson says

    December 3, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    I have several things that my mom sewn for me and I still have them and love them dearly and they are over 33 years old 🙂

  3. Marilee Hawkins says

    December 3, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    Love to sew for my grandkids. Both of my grandmothers sewed, as did my oldest sister and mother. Lots of good sewing memories.

  4. Linda Johnson says

    December 3, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    I loved my dolls and the clothes my mother made to dress them. She taught me to sew and I started making the clothes myself when I was about 10 years old.

  5. jodi says

    December 3, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    i had a hand sewn stuffed frog that my grandmother made. i love to make dolls for my kids now!

  6. Marge Bowman says

    December 3, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    I had a doll named Tutti. She was like a small Barbie type doll and had friends. The only one I can remember was Dawn.

  7. A Russ says

    December 3, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    I loved dolls then and I still love them now. I had lots and clothes for them as well.

  8. lee says

    December 3, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    I didn’t have many toys and always wanted a dollhouse. When I grew up, I made one for myself!

  9. Fonda Petty says

    December 3, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    I had a Shirley Temple doll that my mom made clothes for. Shirley had teeth and those wonderful curls!

  10. Krista says

    December 3, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    Well, I guess my gymnastics Barbie. She was so cool. Or my
    Play classroom!

  11. Lynn says

    December 4, 2013 at 1:22 am

    my favourite toy was a ‘tiny tears’ doll I got for my third birthday – my gran used to knit new clothes for it every year 🙂

  12. hazel says

    December 4, 2013 at 2:22 am

    A bendable Rupert the bear that I took everywhere

  13. wendy rozema says

    December 4, 2013 at 7:30 am

    my favorite was cabbage patch dolls

  14. Laurel Lee Pollard, New England Paper Crafts says

    December 5, 2013 at 8:30 am

    Oh, Kerry – those stuffies are irresistible! Can’t wait to read the stories that go with them ~

  15. Karen Gonyea says

    December 6, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    I loved my Barbie Dream House 🙂

  16. Susan says

    December 8, 2013 at 7:23 am

    I had a ballerina doll that I just loved.

  17. Daniel M says

    December 14, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    i really liked legos

  18. Karen Drake says

    December 15, 2013 at 7:42 am

    I had a musical teddy bear when I was little that I just loved.

  19. beth says

    December 15, 2013 at 9:24 am

    i loved my stuffed animals a bunny in particular

  20. LeAnn Knott says

    December 15, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    I loved my dolls. I had quite a few children because my Dad got me a Doll every Christmas. That is the only gift he would but until I was 12 years old!!!!

  21. kathy pease says

    December 15, 2013 at 7:05 pm

    I loved my mrs.beasley doll..The little old lady with the glasses 🙂

  22. Gianna says

    December 15, 2013 at 11:06 pm

    A little plush birdie.

  23. Kahtryn Mackey says

    December 16, 2013 at 3:18 am

    A grey stuffed donkey

  24. debbie says

    December 16, 2013 at 7:24 am

    I had a Winnie the pooh, that my grandparents gave me.

  25. kathy pease says

    December 16, 2013 at 8:13 am

    My mrs.beasley doll was my favorite I carried her everywhere

  26. susan smoaks says

    December 16, 2013 at 8:51 am

    When I was little my favorite toy was my cabbage patch doll. I loved her.

  27. Marie Constantineau says

    December 16, 2013 at 10:38 am

    my baby alive was my favourite toy for the longest of time

  28. heather c says

    December 16, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    Holly Hobbie doll. Cutest thing ever, since it looked just like me.

  29. Stormy says

    December 16, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    My favorite was a stuffed rabbit I called “Easter”.

  30. Buddy Garrett says

    December 16, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    My favorite toy was my Combat Timmy Gun.

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