Friday, July 20, 2012

Needle & Thread Interview - Corrie from Retromummy


Yay! The Needle & Thread Interviews are back! And will from now on be a monthly feature here on the blog.

Today I'm excited to welcome Corrie from Retromummy! Corrie's blog was one of the first blogs I read, and certainly the first Australian blog. Her blog is a bit like sitting down with for a cuppa and a chat with a friend - there is always lots happening - crafty projects, gorgeous kids, family activities,cooking and recipes, day to day family life and just recently, a beautiful new baby!


In Corrie's own words -
 I live in Sydney with my lovely husband Justin and our 4 little ones. Keira, Tillie, Finn and Elodie. Baby number 5 will join us mid July and we are very excited to be growing to a family of 7. {Edit - last Wednesday, Corrie & Justin welcomed their new baby son Emerson into the world! Congratulations!)

Is sewing a hobby you have had since you were young or has it been something you have come to as an adult?
I was a hopeless sewer at school. Absolutely hopeless. I just did sewing in Year 7 and didn't finish anything we made. While I was at uni my best friend was studying fashion design at TAFE and I was inspired to get out the sewing machine and did a short course at TAFE. The machine was packed away at uni and then when I had Keira I got it out again and started making a few things for her and my obsession really grew. I can't believe I started out with just a few metres of fabric and now have filled a whole room!



Is/was your paid job or educational background creative?
I definitely had a very un-creative job. I studied Commerce, got my CPA qualifications and worked in banking for 10 years before leaving work to have Keira back in 2006. I must say though that I wasn't a typical banker and would bring in cakes and brownies for the office. Great way to get to know everyone on your floor by the way.

What types of projects do you enjoy creating the most?
 I love making things for my little ones to wear. I love that they love wearing them and I love receiving comments from other people on their outfits.  It's just a huge feeling of satisfaction when you make something and I just wish I had more time to make their clothes. Now that I quilt I love making quilts and having them all over our house. My kids have one of each of their beds and I love having a big stack in the loungeroom to snuggle under. 



What are your favourite sewing tools and materials?
I love my sewing machine! It's a Brother QC-1000 and does so many great things. I'd be lost without it. I also love my floral Olfa rotary cutter and love using a rotary cutter for some sewing projects. When it comes to fabric I pretty much stick to 100% quilting cottons as they wash and wear beautifully and just last. And I'm a sucker for anything pink, pretty and floral as well as cute Japanese prints.

Name your favourite sewing inspirations.
I love reading blogs! Just a few I love are:
Posie Gets Cosy
Soulemama 
V & Co.
Crazy Mom Quilts
Anna Maria Horner



How do you balance your sewing / creative projects and blogging with your ‘real life’ eg. Paid work, family?
Well having 4 little ones and a big pregnant belly certainly keeps me busy. I love to blog and blog everyday and try to do my computer time when everyone is playing or napping. I am a night owl and that also helps with getting things done. Sewing time is generally on weekends when retro daddy is home and can give me a few hours of peace and quiet. I find it very relaxing to get a bit of time to myself. I also knit most nights and love that I can sit in the lounge room and be doing a bit of craft while the little ones play or watch TV.

What other creative pursuits do you enjoy?
I love to knit and crochet. I started knitting again in my 20's and it's been a real hobby of mine with a stash that almost rivals my fabric stash. The best thing about knitting is making lots of lovely warm things for my little ones and I take very good of care of them to pass on to the next little one of mine. 


Thanks so much Corrie for sharing your creativity with us today! If you'd like to know more about Corrie and her blog Retromummy, you can find her here -



2 comments:

  1. This is great Roz, I'm looking for more Aussie blogs - Support our own ladies and on the plus side it's easier to find things to recreate if they're shopping at Bunnings or Spotlight/Lincraft. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay!! I will just say that I am amazed by Corrie, all those (gorgeous) little'ns and still time for sewing beautiful clothes, quilts and knitting, AMAZED!!!

    ReplyDelete

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