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I find it really interesting to speak with other people in the online sewing world. Even though I’ve been sewing professionally for some time, there is always a new technique, tool or approach to learn from others. That’s why I decided to start a sewist interview series.
I’d like to introduce my first guest: Jenni Miller from Let’s Get Sewing Now!
Jenni and I “met” on Instagram, just commenting on each other posts often. She has a lot of great sewing tips for new and seasoned sewists. I approached her to be my first interviewee for this series.
Q: Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and how
you got started learning to sew?
Jenni: I first learned to sew when I was about 7 years old. I remember that it was an A-line skirt with an elastic waist, out of some totally 70’s polyester fabric with brown and orange graphic designs on it. Lol. My mom had an old Kenmore machine, with a knee pedal instead of a foot pedal. That was so hard to control for a 7 year old, and I was terrified of that machine.
A couple of years later, we moved to Germany for two years. My mom bought a brand new Pfaff, direct from the factory while we were there. I was much more comfortable with that machine, and did more sewing after that; however, I didn’t really start sewing regularly until college. I tried a few different majors, but none felt right. I took a sewing class at the suggestion of my mom, and was hooked. I majored in Clothing and Textiles.
Q: How has your sewing journey evolved over the years? What inspired you to become a sewing teacher?
Jenni: As a kid, when my mom was teaching me to sew, she tried to teach me the correct way to do things, like understitching, grading seams, etc. I was too impatient to do all of those steps, and as a result, my projects didn’t turn out very well done.
Once I got into my major, they started teaching us to understitch, clip and grade seams, etc. Amazing how your mom is always right… But as an adult, I saw the value in those steps, and have come to really enjoy that aspect of sewing, and learned to slow down and enjoy the process.
After college, I stayed home and raised my kids. I sewed for them, and did alterations for friends, but didn’t do a ton with it.
Now that my kids are grown, I want to put my skills to use to teach others how to sew, and honor my mom, who died of Parkinson’s a few years ago. I want them to enjoy it as much as I do.
I find that the thing people say most often is, “I got a sewing machine for graduation (or from mom, grandma, etc.) but I have no idea how to use it. It is in my closet somewhere…”
It makes me sad to think that they have such a wonderful tool that is of no use to them! That is what inspired me to start teaching, and teaching online is a natural progression of that.
Q: Sewing is a skill that takes time and practice to learn. What would you tell anyone who is struggling?
Jenni: The other thing I hear all the time is, “I could never learn to sew like THAT!” I tell everyone that sewing is a skill, just like riding a bike or cooking. Yes, some people have a propensity for learning different things more easily, but EVERYONE can learn to sew.
What are some of your favorite sewing projects that you’ve worked on, and why do they stand out to you?
Jenni: Hmmm, this is a little tough. I think my favorite class in college was tailoring. I love to make the fabric conform to my will. Lol, I haven’t done much tailoring since, however.
A couple of years ago, I was in Dallas for the Sewing Expo, and I splurged on some really wonderful wool; actually two different wool fabrics. I immediately knew what I wanted to make with the first one, a felted wool, and I made a somewhat tailored jacket that is not lined, and the lapel folds back, exposing the back side of the fabric. Both sides of this fabric are gorgeous! I deliberately took my time on that one and made sure that it had a tailored fit, and I really love how it turned out. I am saving the other piece to make a true tailored jacket, once I find the perfect pattern.
Q: I’m reluctant to use the word “fail” – but tell us about a project that didn’t work out and what you might have learned from it.
Jenni: As I was raising my kids, I would go on kicks where I would sew something, and then it might be a long time before I sewed again. I remember I found this fun chambray that had a braided detail along the edge. I wanted to make a pair of crop pants out of it, and found a cute pattern. I hadn’t sewn much since giving birth, and didn’t completely realize how much my body had changed… I didn’t take the time to measure, because my measurements had always been pretty consistent before, and needless to say, the pants did NOT fit, and there was no saving them. I still love that fabric!
Q: What is something for new and seasoned sewists to keep in mind?
Jenni: Keep in mind that you are learning a new skill. And, as with all things in life, the older we get, the more time it may take to learn things; but it can be done! I am in my 50’s, and trying to learn social media and technology things to do online courses. It has been rocky at times, but I have learned a TON. Hang in there. It will be worth it!
Q: What are some of your must-have sewing tools that you wouldn’t want to go without? Any recommendations for beginners?
Jenni: Well, here are some of the unconventional things I cannot sew without:
- Soap chips- Save your bars of soap when they get down to slivers. They make great tailor’s chalk, and disappear with the steam from your iron.
- Razor blade- I use a single-edge razor blade to pick out my stitches. It sounds intimidating, but is really quite easy, and much faster than a traditional seam ripper.
- Drafting ruler- I used to think this was unconventional, but as I meet more sewists, I am finding that this is essential to most of them. It isn’t specifically made for sewing, but is the best ruler for marking patterns.
- As far as fabrics, linen is my favorite by far!
Anything you’d like to sew, but haven’t yet tried?
Jenni: I have not made jeans yet. I want to make a well-fitted, true pair of jeans, complete with rivets, etc.
Q: What is on your sewing table right now?
Jenni: I just finished the Aims blouse from Seamwork this afternoon. (Made from linen, of course!) Since it is getting close to Christmas, I am making some small gifts for family. After that, I have some really nice double gauze that is woven in a jacquard-like pattern that I can’t wait to use. I am thinking a sweatshirt or jacket.
Q: Anything else you want to tell our readers?
Jenni: I really wish I had listened to my mom and done more sewing as a kid. Practice is the key, and I would be SO far ahead of even where I am now, if I had. So, be patient and practice, and experiment.
Where to find Jenni online:
You can find out more about Jenni’s sewing courses at letsgetsewing.thinkific.com
If you would like to get on her newsletter, she has a couple of fun ways to get it: You’ll get something in return for signing up!
Get Jenni’s list of the Top 20 tools you need to get started (Including the soap
and razor blade!) at bit.ly/TOP20TOOLS
Or, Jenni has a Sewing Machine Needle Guide, for when you have
no idea which needle you need for your project.
https://sewing-machine-needle-guide.myflodesk.com/v13sew3408
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsgetsewingnow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsgetsewingnow/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsgetsewing9587
Thank you Jenni for participating in the Sewist Interview Series!
Interview conducted by: Elise Chase-Sinclair.
Photo Credits: Cassie Thiel of C.Thiel Photography. Photos provided by Jenni Miller.
If you would like to be interviewed, email me elise@elisesewingstudio.com and tell me a bit about yourself.