One of the goals I’d set mself for this year was to tackle so many of the outstanding personal projects sitting around neglected in my studio. Things like yesterday’s jeans had been on the waiting list since Septemeber! So far, I appear to be off to a cracking start even if that does mean hand stitching by lamp light feeling rather Dickensian as my vision slowly fades…. Which is why I was quite thrilled to be featured in the January issue of UK magazine SEW!
Here is what it says…
-What do you write about and what inspires you to blog?
Super Kawaii Mama is primarily fashion and style related. It is all about choosing to live your most glamorous life, regardless of your income level or parental status! Rather than focusing on the latest catwalk looks or fashion that needs to be constantly updated, I am passionate about vintage, recycled, cottage industry and alternative fashion. It is all about creating a style that is unique to yourself and finding a sense of joy through what you wear everyday.
Amazingly, I never seem to run out of things to blog, in fact I have a hard time keeping up with my brain and sometimes have some very sleepless nights as it won’t shut off! I don’t find much inspiration in current fashion trends but rather in things I come across in daily life that, when looked at from a certain perspective, open up a whole new world of possibilities. It could be a certain colour, a great old movie, or even a wheat field seen from the window of the car that inspires me to start thinking about Little House on the Prairie type fashion!
Everything is fair game and is interpreted through the lens of my own sense of style then served up on the blog ready for consumption.
-How does blogging aid you in the creative process?
Blogging has been the biggest boon in terms of aiding my creative process. It is a brilliant way to connect to like minded individuals as well as people that see things very differently to myself and thus open my eyes to the new. It forces me to make sense of many otherwise unformed thoughts which means that so many projects that would never have made it out of my head, have been able to become a reality.
Blogging is also a great validation. When your life is so busy being a parent, wife and everything that goes with that; it is often difficult to justify the time we want to spend on projects for ourselves. Especially those that are simply frivolous fun! So if I feel like making a fancy Cinderella gown that I may only ever wear once, I can justify it to myself when I share the process with others… Well at least that is what I tell my husband!
-What are your favorite things to make?
Wow, my studio is testament to my favourite things to make as it is full of supplies for projects I haven’t even started but have very good intentions to! I have a large collection of vintage patterns from the 1930’s – late 1950’s as well as reams of vintage fabric. I love making reproduction vintage pieces as it means that I can have the garments I really want in just the right size, as finding an authentic piece that is just what you want isn’t always possible. I try to use all the original techniques and materials were possible when I’m doing these. There is such a sense of triumph involved in getting some of these pieces right as the tailoring is critical, especially when the fabrics have no stretch and some that have no closures, just a complex construction.
If I don’t have the time to devote to such a big project, the other favourite is things that can be knocked over in a short space of time. Usually taking something old and altering and customizing it to become something entirely different.
-What are your plans for the future of Super Kawaii Mama?
There is some much in the works for Super Kawaii Mama in the new year. The site is being redesigned for more depth and better navigation of archives. I also get hundreds of requests for help and tutorials each month so I’m trying to find a better way to give readers what they need. I have a number of creative collaborations in the works that will see the pages open up to a whole new audience and give you more choices in how you choose to interact with me. In short, I guess I never stop making things and never stop coming up with more and more outlandish ideas!
******
What about you?
Do you sew, do you want to sew or do you fear even the mere thought of reattaching a button?
Nice article SKM! Good words too – well done *blows kiss*
How exciting ! congratulations
Wow – this is awesome!! As you know, incredible over-seas sewist adviser that you are, I am starting to sew and it’s both exhilarating and freaky at the same time.
Wow, great interview!
I especially love the photo of you with the red bow headband, so cute!
I’m a cosplayer, so I sew by default~ It’s such a relaxing hobby to have, very therapeutic (so long as you’re not sewing the night before a comp or con)
LOVE your blog. Congrats on the article. It’s good to know that bloggers are getting props for their hard work.
Dear SKM,
I have been following your blog for a while now and I love your sense of style. Which begs me to ask the next question Where do you find all of your great clothes??????. I am trying to get out of the shorts and t-shirt mother of two children look.
Any tips that you have would be greatly appreciated.
Congrats on the interview!
I sew in theory, I just never seem to have enough time to actually do any sewing. Right now I want to make some pencil skirts and jeans like yours though.
Awesome interview!
As for sewing… I reattach buttons, take up hems on thrift store dresses, make pillow covers, and occasionally cut out the pieces for a vintage pattern, go to the sewing machine, get completely muddled, and give up. I’d love to learn to sew more complex projects, but it’s not a very popular hobby in my family and there was never anyone to teach me. I’ve finally gotten a few “beginner’s” patterns, and although they aren’t at all my style hopefully they’ll get me ready to make the things I really like!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
It is great to get some recognition, and you TOTALLY deserve it! =P
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by SuperKawaiiMama: @nuffnangAU Guess who’s featured in the latest UK Sew magazine? http://bit.ly/dqCnpJ...
Ohh how very exciting! Fabulous for you skm, very excited to hear about the collab!
XXASAB
How exciting to be in print!
Congtratulations! Very nice interview, and beautiful pictures!:)
Unfortunately I didn’t inherit my mothers sewing and knitting skills, but I really want to learn! Right now I am knitting on my first scarf since the 6th grade, (it’s cold where I live) hopefully it will be long enough by next winter
Oh, sweet gig, good on you! Yes, I love to sew, among other things too. In fact, we’ve just bought a house in the country with an old Victorian butcher’s shop attached to it, which is going to be my massive new studio! I’m so excited about using it, I just need to get lighting put in first. But for now, am sewing and creating in my lounge room and dining room.
I’ve been longing to sew from two 1940s patterns I bought in the summer. Unfortunately I am not very good at figuring it out on my own and my mother-in-law is one of those who takes forever to get things done and she acknows how to sew. . .I’ve been waiting since August for he to help me out. It is quite sad. I am nearly done with my 40s dress slip/petticoat and then I want to work on the dress I want to wear over it. One day I am sure I’ll be able to do it. :: sigh ::
Very cool!
To answer your question, I have been trying to sew. I have started a dress which is currently in pieces because I have NO time at the moment with school, work and wedding plans. I usually end up falling asleep on my couch at 9:30pm. Someday I plan to finish it.
Congrats on the article!
Cheers!
~Paige
It’s always fun to be in print ! Congrats
I am always sewing , new ideas are floating around in my head and if I can’t find the item I want in vintage then I will have to make it.
Read the article in the magazine…very impressed!
I sew constantly, and when I’m not, I’m either teaching others to do it or thinking about things I’ll make in the future. If I didn’t sew, I’d go slightly mad!
x
Hello~! First time commenter here. Congrats on getting in a magazine. That must be exciting.
Today I was browsing on the www and found a site I thought you might enjoy!
http://www.shopruche.com/index.php
I am a wanna-be sewer. I even bought the new Cath Kidston book SEW but haven’t opened it. I enjoyed this article and think it’s really inspiring how you can sew from vintage patterns. xx
I’m a bit tardy, but a big CONGRATULATIONS to you on your Sew Magazine feature, SKM!!!
? Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
How wonderful! You are an inspiration