Patty Rutter

How long have you been sewing?

Since I was 9. I’ll let you guess the math! I sewed most of my own clothes for myself and my sisters until I got married and had kids. Then, I didn’t have much time except for hemming, sewing on buttons, etc. It’s been sporadic ever since.

How did you learn to sew?

I was in 4H and one of the leaders taught me to sew. My mother did not know how to sew beyond sewing on a button.

What was the first thing you remember sewing?

I made gathered skirt with an elastic waist that was a bright green and white print.

What do you like to sew?

I prefer sewing garments, and also like sewing bags; tote, small zippered.

What is your least favorite thing to do involving sewing?

Number one is cutting out the pattern, number two is alterations; hemming and replacing zippers.

Any particular type of fabric you like to use? Any fabric you dislike?

I like natural fabrics; cotton, linen, silk, wool, etc. I do not like polyester, although I own some clothing made from this fabric.

What kind of sewing machine do you have?  Any other machines like serger, etc.

I have a Grace Baby Lock, an Accord Baby Lock Embroidery machine, and a Baby Lock Evolution serger. I bought the serger right before the Pandemic, took lessons and it has not been out of its case since.

What do you make that you are most proud of?

When I was young and naïve, I owned a bridal shop for a short time. I made a wedding dress for a customer because I was unable to order her size from our supplier’s.

How long have you been a Guild member? Why?

Since the summer of 2019. I thought it would inspire me to sew more and I wanted to meet other sew-er’s.

Biggest change in sewing over the years?

I think electronics and computers have given us the ability to create our own designs, and because of this have substantially increased the price of sewing machines.

Best sewing tip for us?

There is never just one way to do anything. Just because you learned to put in a zipper one way, doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way to do it. The internet has opened the possibility to learning new things as well as from our community of sew-er’s. Keep learning.

Is there anything about you that you would like us to know?

Have you ever walked into a fabric store looking for a particular print, design, or color in your head and were forced to make a substitute because you couldn’t find what you were looking for? I have. Right now, I am learning and creating my own fabric designs to put on fabric. And I’m still buying fabric, just not sewing like I should!