Monday, October 25, 2010

Sew Tina - Blog Tour


All of us at Fat Quarterly are excited to be a part of Tina Givens' blog tour for her latest book "Sew Tina" for Lark Crafts. See here for the rest of the blog tour stops.

Most of you probably know Tina Givens from her fabric designs for Freespirit such as Fairy Tip Toes, Treetop Fancy and Opal Owl. Many of these prints just scream kids' clothing or projects. So it is very fitting that Tina has released the book "Sew Tina" in which she offers us 30 kids' clothing and home decor projects.

Rest assured anyone who thinks sewing clothes is too complicated. Tina includes a detailed introduction covering all the techniques used in her book and explains everything in a clear, down to earth way.

Tina is also very much a lady after my own heart! She clearly states that for her sewing is not about being a perfectionist. It is about making something for the people you love and imperfections make it that much more unique and loved. She recognises that we are all busy people and don't have time to take on a huge sewing commitment, so all her projects should only take from a couple of hours to a couple of days to complete.


To celebrate the launch of her book Tina is offering one of you a fabulous prize package! You could win a copy of Sew Tina, 4 yards of fabric!, 2 boxes of stationery and 2 sewing patterns! Wow!

Don't worry if you don't win - Lark Crafts are also offering 3 free patterns by Tina on their website!

I caught up with Tina to find out a little more about her and her book. I hope you enjoy the interview and don't forget to leave a comment to enter the amazing giveaway! (Competition ends Friday 29th October)

You grew up in Zimbabwe. How did that influence your designs?

A lot. I think where ever you grow up where ever you live now influences everything about your life. I definitely have this sort of ethnic thing going on but I also come from a British background with some mediterranean blood thrown in on my fathers side... so there's a European twist on the African influence... I am also very inspired by where I live now and my children bring me loads of inspiration....

What is your favourite project in the book? Why?

It changes depending on who I am thinking about and who I'd like to sew for. I love the canopy because it can be made for any child any age... even a teen. I also love the booties because they are so darling and fun to make.... I must say though this book is meant to stay in the family for a long while from baby infant sewing through 7 or 8 years old... and then it circulates, someone else has a baby you sew for, or you have a 4 year old friend's birthday coming up...



Are these projects based on items you have made for your own children?

Oh yes. All the garments, absolutely, and the little dude stuff for my little boy. I made a canopy version but made it to fit a tall steel shelf unit for my oldest child and made sides so it was a large curtained armoire for his television and books and such... we could just close the front curtains for hiding all the stuff! He grew out of it and I remade it for my daughter in girly fabrics... Always the hats, and I sew all the time so this is just a few items...

Did you grow up wearing handmade clothes?

Absolutely! My mom created a dress for herself and then guess what made one for me in the same fabric. Then my sister came along and oh we were always seen in identical dresses. My dear cousin too was included in the mix and the three of us little girls were always googled at because we were just that cute! By 8 or 9 we were done with that bit! I made my own clothes and started expressing myself through my wardrobe in crazy stuff... lots of crazy stuff... we're talking late 70s early 80s. Through college I sewed and one coat I remember well was a VERY WARM coat made of tapestry fabric.... I wore it with jeans to classes... Toronto has cold winters and I was glad of it - and loved it because it was unique! I still make many of my clothes.

What was your favourite outfit as a little girl?

I don't have a favorite.... but I do remember I made myself these baggy pants out of pink plaid and I thought I was the bees knees. I even made a pair of 'ked' like tennis shoes to match by dying and painting them... quite the trend setter!

What sort of prints do you think make the best clothes for children?

Anything you absolutely love. From vintage florals, to crazy rose chintz. I love cotton because it's easy to sew and dresses and shirts are cute in cotton. Brilliant color and don't forget to mix prints. Use a tiny print with a larger one and tie it together in color... And sometimes a solid is perfect for that basic piece matched with a busy pattern! I don't care for baby prints for babies... I never did. It's too predictable!



Many people are nervous about making clothes. What would you say to put their minds at rest?

Oh don't be. Start with something small, making mistakes is all about the journey. Just set up that machine and cut away... use inexpensive fabric to start... even by muslin if you're that nervous it's cheap and you can throw it away. If you get frustrated, stop, take a break, have a cup of tea and a treat... anything but get away for a while, then return to it. If you make a mistake use it.... unless it's glaringly bad!

Which project in your book, would you tackle first if you were a complete beginner?

The tote, dude shorts, Crib quilt, the canopy, brookies... see there's loads of easy breezies... also read my intro and basics section because it offers insight into how I sew and I think a new sewer would appreciate it. Don't take sewing too seriously.... get creative with it and enjoy the process!

Thank you so much for having me Tacha... I am thrilled you hosted the blog tour! And good luck to all your readers....
kisses
Tina Givens

56 comments:

  1. Thank you for a great interview! I love Tina's fabrics and I'd love to win a copy of her book!
    Gill

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  2. Tina's fabrics are genius! So different and colourful. Keep up the good work.

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  3. Awesome interview!! I would love to win a copy of her book!

    LOVE that little girls top against the brick wall! My granddaughter would look so sweet in that piece!

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  4. Thanks for the interesting interview! I would be happy to have a copy of this book!

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  5. the book looks great. i would love to win a copy.

    thanks

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  6. I love Tina's relaxed attitude toward sewing. I am sure this book is equally refreshing and inspirational as the interview. Thank you.

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  7. I am headed to Quilt Festival this weekend, I will be looking for this book! I want to see those boy's projects! I can never find any!

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  8. It is always interesting to learn a designer's influences, background, roots...thanks for sharing.

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  9. I know a couple of little chefs who'd LOVE some of those chef hats. What a great giveaway!

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  10. another inspiring person to read about... added to the list of who I want to be "when I grow up."
    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

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  11. My new niece Chloe would be so cute in that little dress. Please pick me!!

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  12. I love her fabric and have a ton of her Tree Top Fancy. I have been looking for a project to use the fabric in, and, I think I found it. Her new books looks like it might be the ticket. Thanks for sharing and I enjoyed reading Tina's interview.

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  13. Tina had me at "don't have to be a perfectionist!" Sounds like my kinda
    author and seamstress!

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  14. That looks like a really nice book. :o)

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  15. favorite quote from this interview? "I don't care for baby prints for babies... I never did. It's too predictable!"
    yes, yes, yes!!

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  16. Great interview. Thanks for the chance!

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  17. What a fabulous prize! Even if I don't win, her book is going to the top of my "Need" list.

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  18. What an Amazing giveaway! Thank-you for the opportunity! I hope I win....but if not, will definitely put her book on my 'want' list!
    jpdavis07@gmail.com

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  19. Thanks for the great interview with Tina!

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  20. Great interview! It's always nice to get into the minds of creative people. Love the fabrics and would LOVE to win this book and other goodies! Thanks for the chance!

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  21. Wonderful interview. I love what she said about making mistakes. I almost never get things right the first time. Good thing I keep trying or I'd have way too many unfinished projects! I love her fabric line as well. Very different and oh so pretty.

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  22. I love the free patterns and the rest of the book looks wonderful. I would love to give the canopy a try! Oct 29th - my birthday - hope its lucky for me! Thanks!
    butler83ataoldotcom

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  23. I love learning more about designers through these interviews! Thanks! This book looks like a definite must-have!

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  24. LOVE her style and prints! THANKS for the chance!
    ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  25. Great interview -- thanks for being part of the blog tour. What fun!

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  26. Love to "meet" people in interviews. Thanks. The book looks awesome. Thank you for your generosity in sharing! Off to check out the rest of the blog tour.

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  27. Great interview...would love to win her new book and all the goodies that are going with it. Thank you Tina for sharing!

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  28. I love Opal Owl. Soooo cute. A book and fabric, what a great prize.

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  29. Sadly did not win the awesome Tina goodies on the Quiltdad blog so I'm giving it another try here at the FQ blog. I'm glad to read that Tina thinks it's ok to make not totally perfect stuff, because I do that all the time. ;)

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  30. Great interview and I have my fingers crossed that I will be the winner of this awesome prize pack.

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  31. WOW!!! This books looks perfect!! Here is throwing my name in!!!

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  32. I've been following the blog tour, and I have to say, I think this has been my favorite interview. What a crafty and creative woman! I've tried a couple of clothes items, but reading this just makes me want to go make some more! (Guess I should go tackle that Halloween costume I've been dreading then!) :)

    Thanks for the wonderful interview and the fabulous giveaway!

    ~Teresa

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  33. Wonderful interview. I sew want to win this book, fabric, and stationary! Love Tina's fabrics. And, I have visited every blog stop on the tour. I never make anything perfectly, so relate to her writing. This is my birthday week so this giveaway prize would be sew nice! alternate email mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  34. Super interview! I will be checking out her book for sure.

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  35. Love her she is so creative with her projects....thanks for the great giveaway.
    sskcraftshop@gmail.com

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  36. This is a great prize! The book looks great - I've added it to my wish list already!

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  37. What a great story. The book looks like so much fun to have.

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  38. Tina-What an amazing life you are having! LUV to have this book!

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  39. I love tina givens fabrics and would love to see her new book

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  40. Love the chef's hat pic! I'd love a copy of Tina's book, and my daughter and her cousins would love for me to have it, too!

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  41. Thanks for the giveaway! I love that chef's hat in there, how cute!

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  42. The fabric is beautiful on the little girl's top. Thanks for the interview and the great giveaway.

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  43. Tina sounds like a creative, exciting person. I'd love to win the book, such inspiration.

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  44. I just started sewing this summer and have found so much information and inspiration online these past few months! I have followed most of Tina's blog tour and love her carefree fun attitude towards sewing. Thanks for sharing!

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  45. I am so inspired by this book and the fabric! I'm going to visit the other stops on the blog tour this morning.

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  46. Thanks for the great interview. I would love to win the book!

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  47. I'm sew inspired! Pick me, please! :)

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  48. Great interview!! I'd love a chance to win :)
    Thanks!

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  49. This looks like an excellent book for sewing for children.

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  50. Wow - fantastic! thanks for the chance!

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  51. What a cool interview and a great giveaway!

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  52. A great interview and fantastic giveaway, thankyou!!

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  53. Great ideas for Christmas gifts!

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