Sew Beautiful: A Profile
Sew Beautiful, in the hands of a sewing enthusiast, is both a roadmap to creative
design and a diary of sewing tradition with a rich patina. Knowing our
challenge is to honor heirloom techniques while at the same time staying
current, we build our content as if we were a cottage industry – distinctive,
original and focused on quality. With a vintage thread running throughout, we
look for articles that teach a new technique; inspire the reader to take on a
new project; inform readers about current trends in sewing, patterns and
design; demonstrate a great way to use a new product; or show a unique use of
traditional techniques from past eras. Within its pages, readers meet sewing
personalities, learn new and challenging ways to embrace their favorite hobby,
discover the latest sewing products, fabrics, notions and books, and stay
attuned to some of the most popular sewing events. With an added bonus of at
least one free full-sized pattern in each issue, Sew Beautiful has become one of the industry’s most valuable
resources for sparking fine sewing creativity.
We had the opportunity to pull away Kathy Barnard, editor, from her very busy schedule for a few minutes to do a Q&A with us!
First, a little background on Kathy
Barnard...
Kathy graduated from the school of Consumer Affairs at Auburn University with
a degree in Apparel Design and Textiles in 1988. She spent a year as an
apprentice for Betty Grisham, a nationally known and award-winning textile
artist recognized for her work with unique textile dying techniques. Kathy
started her design career working as a children’s wear designer for a
ready-to-wear manufacturer. When marriage brought her back to Huntsville,
Alabama, she began working for Martha Pullen Company; first as an illustrator
and book designer, and eventually as editor of Sew
Beautiful magazine. She has been the primary editor of Sew Beautiful for the last 18 years. While at Martha Pullen
Company, she has taught classes at the School of Art Fashion, produced the Sew Beautiful Pattern Collection, and produced the designer
technique segments for Martha’s public television show, Martha’s
Sewing Room.
Sew Beautiful: Where
did you get your love for sewing?
Kathy Barnard: Believe it or not... from my dad.
He was an Army officer with four kids, and sending me to the mall with a credit
card was out of the question. Plus, my mom hated to shop for anything and still
does (based on that, I must have been adopted). My dad promised to pay for any
fabric and patterns I wanted if I made my own clothes. I think he was actually
being sassy, but I showed him. After I got the hang of sewing, all he ever did
was brag about my accomplishments and praise me. So we had a big laugh about
that. I was a teen fashionista in the mid ‘80s (think Madonna and Flash Dance)
so slashing, razor cutting and tearing were “in” and easy. My best friend in
high school, Lisa Charbonneau, and I would mimic the Cyndi Lauper look with
thrift store remakes (BTW she graduated from design school with me at Auburn University).
So basically, if you accidentally cut something wrong, you could easily pass it
off as original intent. That aspect alone took all the fear out of it, and that
cultivated confidence. My high school sewing teacher, Joann Willis, introduced
me to the thrill of designing my own patterns, and the rest was history. She
told me that if there are fashion designers out there working and making a
living, that someone had to do it; why not me? The dream became attainable from
that point on.
SB: What
is the most rewarding part of your job as the editor of Sew
Beautiful magazine?
KB: Without hesitation, it is about
helping our designers realize a dream. It is great to feel that you had a small
part in what became Kari Mecca for example. Don’t get me wrong; it is the designer’s
own unique craft that pulls them to the top, so I take no credit, but everyone
can use an open door. I just get to open that door sometimes. I also love to
witness the thrill a designer gets out of being published for the first time.
When I actually published an article in Threads
magazine I was on cloud nine, so I know the feeling (SB
does not count, because I get to control whether I put my own work in the
magazine). The same goes for the moms of our models. You should be the mom of a
model and feel that excitement when you see your child in the magazine. Not
everyone gets to experience that kind of joy at his or her job.
SB: What
is the hardest part or most challenging part of your job?
KB: The hardest part is saying no to a
submission, because now you have just stepped on someone’s dream. The most
challenging part is anticipating what every reader wants and expects. An editor
wants to make everyone happy; it is our job and our joy. One day, I hope to put
together the perfect issue.
SB: What
kind of sewing are you most passionate about – fashion, home dec, quilting?
KB: Definitely fashion, with a passion
for couture sewing in particular. My husband and son took me to Nashville’s
Frist Museum to see an exhibit on the great designers of couture from vintage
Dior, to Queen Elizabeth’s ball gowns. They regretted it. I simply had to send
them away to find other activities after 2 hours - doing that trip alone next
time. I do love to sew for my home because I can get really high-end, quality
fabric and make it myself for a fraction of the cost of retail and end up with
a very expensive custom look. I am currently working on a wedding gown for our
photographer’s niece, so I am really excited about that, and hope to share some
things in Sew Beautiful. Maybe I will post
progress reports on our blog – that might be fun.
SB: Is
there a particular fashion designer or sewing teacher that inspires you the
most?
KB: Hmmm… I love Alexander McQueen
because his techniques are mind blowing, although, he is an artist who sculpts
with fabric more than a fashion designer. I love the bias draping of Madeleine Vionnet and the styles of the 1940s, ‘50s, and early ‘60s. I am so into the show Mad Men right now, and I think it is because of the early
1960s styles. But then again, I am also fascinated by the flapper dresses of
the ‘20s. The techniques of Coco Channel taught by Claire Schaffer are pretty
impressive and ingenious. The teacher that most inspires me is Claire Schaffer.
Trust me when I tell you, the woman knows her stuff. I have also taken a class
with Susan Khalje and found it extremely inspiring. Both are couture sewing
educators and book authors. I know all of this seems odd for the editor of an
heirloom-sewing magazine, but I love all kinds of sewing.
SB: What
sewing product or gadget can you not live without?
KB: I will have to agree with Amber
Eden from Stitch magazine that it is the 1/8” grid
ruler as a gadget, and as a product I cannot live without, I would have to say
basting glue (best stuff invented since peanut butter).
Thanks again to Kathy for allowing us a glimpse into the heart & mind of Sew Beautiful!
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LOOKING AHEAD to 2013!
Here's what we have in store for you next year...
January/February –
Easter/ Valentine’s Day
Think soft and sweet
and a little vintage chic. This issue will be heavy in classic heirloom with an
emphasis on fine and natural fiber fabrics, lace and dainty embroidery. Traditional
motifs of bunnies, chicks, hearts and flowers will be offered for
embellishment. The free pattern is a vintage inspired dotted Swiss toddler
Easter dress.
March/April –
White Issue/Ceremonies
and Celebrations
All tones of white,
cream and ivory will sweep the pages of March. The emphasis will be heirloom
classics or modern with a vintage twist. This issue offers last-minute Easter
sewing opportunities and heralds the coming season of weddings, first
communions and spring christenings. It is the issue of ceremony and
celebrations. The free pattern is an antique reproduction, heirloom,
christening gown.
May/June - Spring/Summer
Burgeoning Blooms
A color explosion of all things in bloom infuses this issue. You can almost
detect the sweet fragrance. All articles will encompass a flower or
garden-related focus and design from fabric prints, smocking plates,
embroideries and flower embellishments to projects for boys that include
garden-inspired motifs – think salamanders, snails and toads. The free pattern
is a 1940s vintage romper (bodice with shorts) for little girls.
July/August –
Autumn/Back to School
With August sending
kids across the country back to school, and sales on fall fabrics and patterns
beginning in early July, we shifted our Fall issue back a couple of months.
This issue ushers in a more practical side of sewing. Considering that kids rarely
wear heirloom clothing to school, we focus energy on what’s on our readers’
agendas – fun fresh fashions for
fall, new fall motifs for smocking and embroidery, and custom costumes for
Halloween, not to mention transitional ideas to innovate and reuse summer
patterns for fall looks.
Sept/October –
Christmas/Holiday
Or focus here is on
fabrics, pattern, designs, embroideries trims and projects for the holiday
season. Features will include both formal styles (silk smocked dresses) and
practical styles (holiday cotton prints and machine embroidery). Projects for
home decorating and gift giving abound.
November/December –
Ribbons and Trims
This issue will offer a
few last-minute ideas for holiday preparations, but will focus the reader on
how to incorporate and manipulate ribbons and trims into their sewing projects.
Each article will be infused with beautiful ribbon or trim. Book excerpts will
feature pieces from well-known ribbon artists/authors, and embroidery will
focus on ribbon products rather than of floss. Smocking features will showcase
ribbon in the design. Even machine embroidery will share designs of bows and
ribbon elements.
We have 3 giveaways for you today!
To win a copy of our special Sew Beautiful 25th Anniversary Issue, enter HERE!
How a copy of "The Best of Sew Beautiful: Christening Gowns?" Enter HERE!
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| **pssssst: this is our November issue cover!** |
OR a 1-year subscription to your favorite magazine, Sew Beautiful!
