Emily and I have known eachother for almost a year.  We met shortly after they moved here from Alabama and instantly connected over our love of the south and its’ heritage.  She is married to Allen and they have three precious boys: John Henry, Marshall, and Graham.

That makes 6 kids between the two of us…which means  play dates are a lot of fun and very rambunctious…

We sat down one afternoon, no make-up, coffee in hand, kids playing, eating these homemade granola bars, and talked about the home country: the south.  Emily has a traditional sense of style that is oh so southern. Take a look at Graham’s nursery…

Just beautiful!  She has developed a passion for sewing handmade clothing for her boys.  All very simple.  All very traditional.  All very southern.  And that’s where we joined forces.  From one artist incognito to another…here’s her story…

Thanks for joining our series, Emily!  Can you start off by giving us a little background, where you were born, what your parents did for a living, where you went to school? 

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama.  I stayed and went to college at Samford and then Cumberland for law school.  My dad is self-employed and my mom was a stay-at-home mom.   My mom always had things on the side that she kept busy with though.  I have memories of her playing the piano and organ for church throughout my growing up years.  Now she helps my dad with his business.   

What is your first memory of sewing on a sewing machine?  

My very first memory was at my sweet friend Hannah Martin’s house. John Henry, my oldest, was born and I went one afternoon to her house with one goal: to learn how to make simple boys’ clothes.   She walked me through the “Hunter” pattern.  I’ll tell you, she had the patience of Job with me!  And that’s where I learned to sew.

The culture in the south is unlike anywhere else in the states.  Is sewing popular there and who around you was interested in it?  

Oh, sewing is alive and well in the south!  My mother sewed, but mostly before I was born.  My sister-in-law, Carey Baker, and most all of my Birmingham friends sew and smock beautiful garments for their children.  I am probably the simplest seamstress in the south and they are such an inspiration to me.

What are your favorite types of things to sew?  

Pieces that are simple.  Anything without sleeves or a zipper. And considering I have boys, it works perfectly for me.  I make lots of shorts and pants and Johnnys.  Most everything I make can be completed in 1 – 2 days.

{Marshall, in a “Johnny” Emily made a couple of years ago.} 

As a mother of 3 boys, how do you find the time to sew?  

Well, I haven’t sewn in the past 6 months, but I just had a baby and he’s keeping me pretty busy. {Graham is 12 weeks old!}  But the best way I’ve found to make time for sewing, is to ignore the mess around me and just have fun with it.  Once I’ve started a project, I try not to put it all up when I have to leave it.  I’ll forget about it, or not take the time to pull it out and begin working on it again.  If I keep it fun, then I’m motivated to come back no matter how busy life gets.

If you had a little girl, what’s the first thing you would sew for her? 

I would learn how to make a Bishop dress from start to finish.  And the color would be pink!  And more pink.

What are your favorite resources for finding fabric and patterns?  

My all-time favorite resource is, The Smocking Bird, in Homewood, AL.  They have absolutely everything you could need to sew…from start to finish.  Sewing machines, sewing classes, patterns, fabrics.  Oh, they have the best selection of children’s fabrics! And they have the most dear women working there and they are so helpful.  I bought my sewing machine from them: a Janome.   And they are online, so you can order from them.   

Where do you draw your inspiration from? 

Just from everyone and everything that I’ve grown up with.  There’s a definite, southern way of dressing your children.  There’s a softness and sweetness to it that sets it apart from other styles.  Lots of pastels…pale blue for boys and pale pink for little girls.  And I have the most talented friends and family members that give me lots of inspiration!

Do you think you need to be a naturally creative person to sew?  

No!  Because I often feel like I struggle with creativity.  Before I started, I didn’t think that sewing would be easy; but I learned the basics in one afternoon with my friend Hannah.  It takes lots of patience and it’s not something that is really natural for me, but if I can do it, anybody can!  Seriously. :)

Have you ever had a chance to use your love of sewing to minister to other people?  

I’ve been able to make baby gifts for people and I love that.  My friend just emailed me and said her third or fourth child was wearing a dress I had made for her firstborn and that was so neat to hear.  I also have a friend, Kim Lee, who has used her sewing for lots of ministry opportunities.  She’s a PCA pastor’s wife {Cahaba Park Presbyterian} and they have 3 kids.  

 What do you do when you have a sewing question or need help?

Find a friend to teach you!  Seeing things in person is so much easier, but in a pinch, youtube is sensational! :)  Since moving out here, I’ve had to refresh my memory on smocking, and I’ve just looked it up on youtube and it made it really easy to get back into the swing of things again.  I also call home and ask my friend, Lori, for help when I’m stuck on something.  I wish I could show you all the things my friends have sewn and made.  My sister-in-law, Carey, and my friend Lori make exquisite heirloom pieces with lace and all the trimmings.

 Wasn’t that just like a piece of home?  I loved it.  

If you are local and interested in checking out heirloom sewing or need to find patterns and fabrics, Sylvia is located in Sand Springs and has the most darling little store {Delicate Stitches} run from her home.  I’ve bought a dress pattern for the girls from there and as soon as I make up my mind on fabric, I am going to get started! 

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