How the hack did you do that? @spoolriversewing and her Maya
Hi! I’m Dawna and I have been sewing for a VERY long time, but just four years ago I started a sewing blog (spoolriver.com) and I also post my sewing projects on Instagram (@spoolriversewing).
Where does your Instagram name come from?
Spoolriver is meaningful to me for so many reasons. First, I live very close to the mighty Mississippi river. It is also a play on the song “Moon River” (the theme from Breakfast at Tiffany’s) and lastly, it is similar to the great book “Spoon River Anthology” which is a collection of poems about rural life in America.
How long have you been sewing?
It’s crazy because I have been sewing for over 50 years and I still wake up excited for the next new sewing project. I have had many creative passions in my life, my spouse teases me about never seeing a craft I didn't want to try, but sewing is my number one enduring love and it continues to bring me joy!
Why did you start sewing?
I started sewing at a very young age and the main motivator was that I wanted dresses. When I was 11 years old, I spent hours drawing paper dolls and I imagined and drew countless dresses and other outfits. Coming from a family of do-it-your-selfers, I saw sewing as an obvious path to getting clothes so I begged my mom to teach me to sew, but she was busy with a large family. It wasn't until I was staying with my grandparents and my grandma gave me some mustard hued wool fabric and access to her sewing machine. Somehow, without a pattern or any instruction, I made myself a dress. When my mom picked me up from my grandparents and saw me in this handmade dress, she relented and spent that summer teaching me the basics of how to sew. I think it was that do-it-yourself attitude that defines my sewing life. I consider myself more of an intuitive sewist than an expert technician. I always feel best and most at home when I am wearing something I made, because it is truly original and that is the best feeling.
Why are you a fan of Fibre Mood?
The number one is that the styles are ageless. In the US, the retailers and fashion industry are predominantly geared towards fast fashion and young fashion. All of my friends who are my age complain about how difficult it is to shop and the lack of options for themselves. Fibre Mood is genius at offering thoughtful, current and flattering styles in every issue. I also love Fibre Mood for expanding my comfort zone. The patterns are very approachable and the inspiring pattern offerings help me be a bit more daring with fashion and experiment a bit more than I would normally.
What do you like most about sewing with Fibre Mood patterns?
Fibre Mood is very consistent with pattern fit and they also provide sensible and clear instructions with typically least fuss construction methods. I find it is also simple to do some pattern swapping if you want to hack a pattern with Fibre Mood pattern pieces from another style, which is one of my favorite ways to hack!
Which one is your favorite hack?
That’s probably the Maya dress that I made into a button down a few years back for a designer sewing challenge. I copied a designer dress, and I was thrilled with the result. I only needed to make minor adjustments because the dress silhouette is identical to the designer inspired dress. The biggest change is that I altered the front by adding a button placket. I raised the neckline a bit and finished it off with a self bias bound edge. Lastly, I lengthened the sleeves and added cuffs.
Do you make pattern hacks more often?
It seems I always make a minor tweak to a pattern. Sometimes it is my mood or preference, or maybe even supplies. I like feeling like I put my own stamp on a project, even if I am copying a designer.
Do you have any golden tips for beginning Sewistas regarding this pattern or other projects?
Don’t get defeated if something doesn’t work out. I have a seam ripper always on hand because I am absolutely fine with unpicking or even completely starting over. Often the best outcomes come with a few bumps along the way.
Are there any Fibre Mood sewing projects in the pipeline?
I recently revisited my original Maya dress and did a hack/refashion. This dress was lingering in the closet and I decided to give it a makeover. I was inspired by some ready-to-wear tops and dresses that I saw in fashion magazines with ric rac trim. I was also inspired by other sewistas who gave Maya an open neckline. In this current hack, I modified the neckline and eliminated the sleeves. I lined the bodice and trimmed the neck and armholes with black ric rac. This gives the dress a more playful and fun loving feel and I think I will reach for this more often for warm weather play dates.
Do you also feel like getting started with the Maya dress? You can buy the pattern here! Would you like to share your creation? You can do so via the website or on Instagram with #FibreMoodMaya!
