Ok. This is a little
surreal for me. I’ve been a fan/customer
of Shabby Fabrics since before it was Shabby Fabrics … back when it was simply
“jenbjet” on eBay! And now I have the
great honor of seeing my patterns here in Jennifer’s shop. Wow. |
| At 13 years old all I wanted to do was perfect my padded satin stitch and bullion knot. Guess I was a bit strange. |
 |
| I was a huge cross-stitcher in the 90s! |
On one of her summer visits, my aunt – a meticulous
seamstress - obliged my request (begging, probably) to help me make
something. We went shopping for a
pattern – a long-sleeved, high collared blouse with buttons down the back and yards
of lace trim. (Think Lady Di. It was the early 80s.) I learned how to work a pattern from start to
finish. My Home Economic teacher was
impressed that I even knew what tailor tacking was, let alone how to do it.
I spent the next decade making clothes for myself (although
I never did figure out how to adjust patterns to fit properly). Once I made a dress with 2 left sleeves. Often I would need my mom to
troubleshoot. Almost always my work was
not totally finished. I’d use safety
pins to hold up my pants rather than make a buttonhole and sew on a
button. Or not hem the bottom of a
blouse because I always wore it tucked in.
I was impatient.
 |
| I don’t know what all y’all did on your honeymoon, but I was English paper piecing pink flowers … |
At 19 years old my life changed when I stepped into the world of quilting. I learned how to English paper piece and I made my first Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. That poor quilt was a combo of cheap cotton, polyester broadcloth and yucky batting.
To this day I have a very sentimental attachment for
hexagons. Which is why my very first
pattern – the Honey Bee Bag – is a hexagon design. It is over-the-top crazy fun for me that Shabby
Fabrics chose to make a kit for this bag!
Eventually I got my hands on a rotary cutter and I’ve never
been bored since. Some 25 years later
and I have over 200 quilts in my wake – some I made from patterns, some I
designed myself.
In my earlier crafting days my Dad used to tell me I could make
my own patterns. I didn’t get it. I don’t know why. I guess I had little confidence in myself
back then.
But somehow, I started making things on a whim. I’d get an idea in my head and then I’d just
make it. I started taking classes to learn new skills and
techniques. I learned how to hand
applique and hand quilt by taking a Baltimore Album quilt class.
 |
| Where the magic happens! |
When my second daughter was about a year old I wanted a
pretty diaper bag to replace my old one.
I saw a simple tote on eBay and thought I could make it myself. So I did.
And then I made another one.
And another. Next thing I knew I
had a dozen or so totes – all the same basic construction, but in varying sizes
and with different patchwork designs. I sold
them on consignment in a local store.
A few years later I started working at a local quilt shop
and my skills grew exponentially, as did my love of making bags. That’s when I started to dare entertain the notion that I
could be a designer and pattern maker. Today, I love making quilts and things, but I seem to have a
knack for bags & purses & totes.
They are so much fun for me.
I started my blog, Pretty By Hand, in February 2011.
I am very proud to be featured here at Shabby Fabrics as a brand new pattern designer. And I'm delighted that the shop owner I've admired for years has given me this wonderful opportunity to say hello to you and share my designs! Thank you Jennifer!
Thank YOU, Kristyne! Click here to see all of the Pretty By Hand products at Shabby Fabrics!
GIVEAWAY!
We are pleased to announce a GIVEAWAY of Kristyne's patterns. We have a total of 5 autographed patterns available. To enter, please leave a comment below telling us what part of Kristyne's story you liked best, OR your favorite Pretty By Hand pattern.
