{Crafter Interview} Rachael of Sew Today, Clean Tomorrow

Today we are chatting to Rachael from Sew Today, Clean Tomorrow. Grab a cuppa and have a read!

When did you start crafting?
I’ve always dabbled in craft and loved crochet and beading when I was younger. It’s only been in the last 4-5 years that I’ve picked up sewing and started taking it all a little more seriously.

If you could only pick one craft to do for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hmmmm that’s a tough one. Probably sewing though. I find it can be both relaxing and mentally challenging (depending on the project) so it’s the best of both worlds for me.

What is your crafting “style”?
I’m not sure I have a style. I really just make whatever comes into my head. I tend to chop and change a lot. One minute I’ll like modern designs, then funky retro, then traditional…I’m all over the place haha.

What is the main source of inspiration?
I find most of my inspiration in everyday life. Sometimes it might be through a need, for example a bag to hold a particular item, but a lot of the time it’ll just be something small. The colour on a billboard, the shape of a cut out on a fence, the view out of a window.

What is the best advice someone gave you about crafting?
Just be yourself. Stop worry about what everyone else is doing and make what you want to make.

What tips would you give a beginner?
The same advice that I was given…Be yourself. Ignore the voices in your head, toss aside the latest trend, and just do what you want to do. It will make you happy and there will undoubtedly be many people out there that appreciate what you do.

Oh and practice, practice, practice. Take on board advice from others (that doesn’t mean follow it…but take it on board haha) and never stop practicing.

What is your must have crafting tool?
My fingers. I find them to be a greatly under-utilised tool as we rely more on more on fancy tools and technology.

And my Clover Wonderclips….cause let’s face it, they’re totally awesome.

Where do you craft?
I have a pretty neat set up in the spare bedroom. Shelves and benches around the walls and a table that fits over the bed. It’s a tight squeeze, especially when we have guests, but it’s my happy place.

How many WIPs do you have on the go right now?

Um…..too many to count. I jump around a lot so always have a large bucket of projects I’m working on. I don’t necessarily start a project with the intention of finishing it straight away. For example, I might start a quilt because I want to try a new technique. I will then put it aside once the quilt top is complete and leave the quilting and binding for another day. I guess that technically makes it a UFO (unfinished object), but UFOs are just extra long WIPs in my books.

What would be on your crafty bucket list?
I’d love to try quilling one day (the paper one…not quilting…I’ve done that hahaha). I’d also like to dabble in woodwork a bit more.

Do you listen to music when you craft?
Sometimes, though I don’t routinely turn it on. Like my crafting I have a rather odd collection of music. It’s not uncommon to hear Foo Fighters blaring from my room, promptly followed by some Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, or Metallica. I really just listen to songs I enjoy rather than having a favourite band/genre. Except, of course, Foo Fighters…who are musical geniuses.

Tea or Coffee – which do you prefer?
I actually prefer tea but tend to drink coffee.

Favourite TV show?
I don’t really watch much TV and wouldn’t even know what’s on commercial telly anymore. I do sometimes watch reruns of older shows (Black Books, Chuck, Dr Who etc). I was very excited to discover that I could finally watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer again during the day as Little Miss just started kindy. That’s pretty cool.

What non-crafting related item can’t you live without? Why?
I’m not sure I have anything I can’t live without (aside from food, water and shelter that is hahaha). I guess maybe my phone or laptop…or my punching bag.

Do you have any news that you would like to share with our readers?
Not at the moment, but I am in the planning stages of something very exciting later in the year…so stay tuned.

You can find Rachael online here >>
Website: http://sewtodaycleantomorrow.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sewtodaycleantomorrow
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sewtodaycleantomorrow/

Actually Amy (1150 Posts)

When Amy is not blogging here on And Sew We Craft you can find her over at Actually Amy where she blogs about her life and other things.