Subscriber Profile; Emily
May’s subscriber profile was with Emily @mossy.makes who has only been subscribed to the Luxury box for a few months. Let’s find out more about her sewing journey.
Tell us about your sewing journey. When and how did you start sewing?
I bought a sewing machine about ten years ago, but it had a problem with the bobbin and that just put me off. I think I managed to make about three pillow cases before selling it and giving up. Then I met my gorgeous wife, Sarah, and she’d inherited a sewing machine!
When we were getting married we made all of our brides’-people robes for ‘getting ready in’ on our wedding day, made out of batik (Malaysian wax print was a big part of our wedding decor – as I’m half-Malaysian!). I also made bunting for the day as decoration. Then when lockdown hit, I gave facemasks a go and started watching youtube videos to get ideas of the best ones to make. This led me down a rabbit hole, of course! When Sarah got pregnant, it gave me the drive to start making garments, both for baby and for her. Eventually I had to start making clothes for me too!
You have been subscribed to the Luxury box since December 2020, what made you want to sign up?
I asked my parents and sister for fabric and patterns for Christmas, and they weren’t sure what to do: ‘What would I like?’; ‘How much material was enough?’; ‘What would it go with?’; etc.
I’d also been enviously watching unboxing videos on YouTube and kept wondering if I could justify the expense. So when my sister asked me again what I wanted for Christmas, I asked for a box. I didn’t realise she was going to be so generous and get me the luxury box both for Christmas (December) and my birthday (February). I am so very lucky! I had to resist a lot of unboxing videos between the 12th and the 24th!
Do you have a favourite box since you started your subscription?
I’ve been mulling over this question, and I’m not sure I could pick a favourite! I think I’d have to split it up. Favourite fat quarters: January’s gorgeous florals from the literary theme. Favourite fabric: the Prosecco Fizz from February’s Breakfast theme. Favourite pattern: the Frida from Marchs’ box! I’ve just made this and I love it so much!
What is the best thing about receiving a monthly box of sewing goodies?
It’s a little present in the middle of every month, and I do love a present. I love surprises but am not good at them, so this is one I can’t annoy anyone into telling me in advance. Finally, I’m given things I wouldn’t have bought myself. Take March, I wouldn’t have bought the pattern or the fabric, but I made it up and it’s my favourite SHJ make so far!
Do you have a favourite make from your subscription?
The Emporia Frida! In case you couldn’t tell. In the picture I’ve paired it with a headband made from the scraps – I think it gives it a total swinging sixties vibe!
Are you working on anything at the moment?
Our little one is due any day now, so big projects are on hold. However, I love the Lady McElroy Prosecco Fizz fabric and would like to make it into the pussybow blouse from Sewing Bee’s Sustainable Style. I’ve also got a few large remnant pieces of fabric which I might make into the Crafty Sew & So Pintuck Cami from December’s box. Quite a few sewing vloggers have been having babies recently and I’ve been taking notes on how to get some quiet sewing time in between all of the chaos!