{Crafter Interview} Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane

Today we are chatting to Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane. So go and grab a cuppa and I’ll meet you back here!

When did you start crafting?

I started crafting when I was 10 and my dad taught me to cross stitch (I get my crafty gene from him). I have done cross-stitch ever since and also took up needlepoint in my 20s. However my sewing journey began about 3.5 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter and wanted to make things for her nursery. So I bought my first ever sewing machine, and taught myself how to use it by watching You tube clips. My blog Down Grapevine Lane was set up soon after that, and it all started from there.

If you could only pick one craft to do for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sewing without a doubt, and patchwork / quilting to be precise. The possibilities are endless there. And I always cheat by incorporating other crafts such as embroidery in my work.

What is your crafting “style”?

I describe my style as ‘sweetly modern’, with a touch of zakka and vintage. I like using lots of mini florals and repro 30s fabrics, mixed with linen and modern cotton prints for contrast.

What is the main source of inspiration?

I get inspiration from anything and everything around me. My friends and family are used to me taking random photos of stuff on the street because I saw something that gave me an idea. It could be a pattern idea for a quilt, a design idea for a fabric collection, or just a bunch of colours that go well together. To give an example I once designed a bunny embroidery pattern made of colourful french knots after being inspired by a bunny shaped fairy bread picture that I saw on Pinterest!

What is the best advice someone gave you about crafting?

‘Measure twice, cut once’ . I don’t always follow it as sometimes it’s nice to do something a bit impromptu if I am trying to achieve a more organic and random look, but generally speaking planning is absolutely key to a successful craft project. I appreciated this even more whilst writing my book.

What tips would you give a beginner?

Take advantage of the Internet. We are so lucky to have at our fingertips such an amazing wealth of crafting knowledge, available just at the push of a button. Pretty much every single technique I learned was from a You Tube video, a blog tutorial, or similar. I have never attended a single crafting class in my life. So if you are not sure how to do something, just google it!

What is your must have crafting tool?

This may sound a little odd but probably my little curved nail scissors. I have lots of small sewing and embroidery scissors but my curve tipped nail scissors are so handy for working with curves e.g. when I am cutting applique shapes.

Where do you craft? Dining table, own dedicated craft space?

I sew in my sewing room which is packed to the rafters with fabric and all my finished projects. I do hand-sewing such as embroidery, paper piecing or crochet in our living room whilst spending time with my family.

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

I rarely have more than two or maximum three WIPs at any given time but as I have been working on my fabric collection and book these last few months I have had to ‘park’ several projects for a while. So I currently have four large quilts, a cross-stitch project, and a cushion waiting to be completed. They will all get done though - it is very rare for me to abandon a project!

What would be on your crafty bucket list

I want to learn to knit! That’s pretty much the only major stitching craft that I haven’t yet had a chance to learn.

Do you listen to music when you craft?

Sometimes, if the work I am doing requires me to be 100% focused (e.g. pattern writing). I am more of a Netflix marathon girl normally.

Tea or Coffee – which do you prefer?

Coffee for sure. Though coming to Australia from England I am quite partial to a nice cup of Earl Grey in the colder months.

Favourite TV show?

Downton Abbey. I am very partial to British period dramas!

What non-crafting related item can’t you live without? Why?

My library. My husband and I are both avid readers and we have a rather substantial book collection. Couldn’t live without books!

Do you have any news that you would like to share with our readers?

I guess my two big piece of news recently are the launch of my first fabric collection and my first book!! My first fabric line ‘Sweet Orchard’ for Riley Blake designs will be available in August, and my first book ‘Quilt Petite’ will be available shortly after that! 2016 has been an amazing year so far.

You can find Sedef online here:

Blog: http://www.downgrapevinelane.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DownGrapevineLane
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downgrapevinelane/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sedefimer/