The adage of making lemonade out of the lemons life gives you is just one of the many I’ve heard over the last few weeks. When one door closes another one opens … that’s another feel-good phrase. And honestly, they are helpful in this time crisis, especially when I hear it from others. I know they believe in me; they believe in what I’m trying to achieve with my work. And every comment of support has been exactly what I needed.
For years, I’ve wanted to make Crinkle Dreams my sole job, but as a solo mom I didn’t have the backup to make that pivot. Then when Hawke started working with me, I didn’t want the burden of supporting our whole household. I nursed it in the background, hoping at some point, some time in the future, it would be the right time.
What I realize now, as I’m forced to sink or swim, is becoming self-employed is a little like becoming a parent. There is no ideal time and best laid plans don’t always work as expected. You just do the best you can whenever it happens.
So here I am, making Crinkle Dreams a bigger, better pattern company, expanding my teaching both online and in-person and building a community for the the folks like me–passionate sewists with a desire to connect with others.
Over the past two weeks, along with an insane amount of help from my daughter, Audrey, and my partner, Hawke, we’ve put together a community we’ve dubbed the Dream Team, an online community where we can come together to learn from each other, share our wins, brainstorm upcoming projects, get answers to sewing conundrums and engage with others who love sewing and making as much as we do.
We’re each taking up a different “make” and mine, no surprise will be sewing and quilting projects. Hawke will share his illustration and painting skills and talents. Audrey is doing the yarn art makes, including crochet, as well doing digital illustrations.
We’ve got a few dozen folks who’ve joined us already, which is a great start. I’m creating a new pattern each month with accompanying tutorials and Live sessions. We’ve got Maker Happy Hours planned, where we can come together in a Zoom room and make in our spaces, with others to chat with.
There’s also a retreat in the works that will be announced in the Dream Team community soon, as well as in-person and online opportunities to take classes with me. Please join me there, if this sounds like something you’d enjoy.
I’m also taking on some sewing projects, including making a Lone Star Elemental Coat for Sarah Maxwell of Andover Fabrics. I’ll be sewing some stuffed animals for Rustic Horseshoe, scheduling lectures and workshops at both quilt shops and quilt guilds around the country. One way or another, we’re trying real hard to make this work.
Thanks again for coming along for the ride,
P.S. If you’re not already, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel, as well as my newsletter. I appreciate every bit of support
