We are so honoured to use our journal to highlight and celebrate our incredible makers in the sewing community.
We asked Macharva about her sewing journey ~ If you want to get to know her a little better, keep reading her story below!
Macharva “Mac” Housley, is a higher ed administrator, turned self-taught sewing enthusiast and pattern co-designer for @sewalteredstyle along with her partner, Katie.
Mac taught herself to sew 5 years ago, learning via YouTube videos, blogs, Facebook groups and sewing pattern instructions and ultimately fit her clothing to her 5’2” frame.
Mac is a fixture in the sewing community, with notable appearances on the “Love to Sew” podcast and Sew News magazine.
She has recently begun to dazzle us with her cooking skills and we love how much she shares her growth journey as a working mom of a change-agent 7-year-old daughter, and adorable, yet mischievous almost 5-year-old son.
You can find her at @macsmakespace or @sewalteredstyle on Instagram.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I find inspiration everywhere (cliche right?) - sometimes I will look at my fabric pile and notice that two fabrics look good together. Other times I will comb Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration. Usually, I am most inspired to make something if I have at LEAST either (1) the pattern, (2) the fabric, or (3) the patience and motivation to tackle something! You’d be surprised at how often I’m missing most of that - haha!
WHO TAUGHT YOU TO SEW?
When I decided that I wanted to do some house projects for my home, I went out and bought fabric and a sewing machine - and then put out a post to my mom’s group. I knew I would be bored to tears if I started with something basic (like an apron or a pillowcase) and instead asked if someone would teach me to sew chair cushions! I had two women offer to show me the basics and from there I consumed every blog post, sewing Facebook chatter, YouTube video, and sewing pattern tutorial/sew along to get me up to speed!
WHEN DID YOUR SEWING JOURNEY BEGIN?
My sewing journey began when I was pregnant with my son (who will be five in September). I started with the chair cushions, but then decided I wanted to make a little coming home matching set for him and my daughter! I made the cutest little ‘Big Butt Baby Pants’ by Made by Rae, and a matching button back top and bow set for my daughter. Then I topped it off with a pair of matching booties. You can see I picked up the sewing bug pretty quickly!
WHAT DOES MAKING YOUR OWN CLOTHING MEAN TO YOU?
Freedom. Empowerment. Creative Expression. Never having to settle for clothing that fits just “good enough.” As a petite person (I’m just 5’2.5” or just about 158 cm), I have to remove 2” from my bodices - honestly when I’m done, they look like kids clothes! But when I wear them... I am brimming with confidence, knowing that my garments are an expression of my aesthetic at its core. From fit, to fabric, to construction.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR STYLE ICONS?
This is a hard one. I admire so many for having a strong point of view. I can share that some sewists that I adore following because their points of view are so clear are: @ericabunker, @jenhewett, @jasikaistrycurious, @gyasti, @abolajiooo, @bayronhadmade, @theravelout and @sisforsew. I think each plays with color, fabric, texture, styles and movement in ways that constantly inspire me!
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SEWING MISTAKE YOU’VE EVER MADE?
Not so much a sewing mistake (though lord I have had those - like swapping in a mystery woven fabric for a knit 😳), but rather a fitting mistake. I was making a pair of trousers early in my sewing days (maybe within my first year), and I WAY over fit them. I had read that the adjustment that could help me most might be “scooping out the curve...” Well, what no one told me is - that when you scoop aggressively, you end up with no separation between your cheeks - a horrible entanglement for which I have affectionately labeled the “unibooty.” I have an IG story highlight with the chain of events that led me to such misfortune. My only hope is that everyone else can avoid such a fate. Learn from me!!
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE TO BEGINNERS?
Build on your skills incrementally, but don’t be afraid to tackle the hard stuff! I remember spending so much time being afraid of zippers or buttons or whatever. And that kind of fear can be crippling. Instead, I like to think about it this way... If I’m not ready to tackle jeans making yet, what do I need to learn to get there... And, which easier patterns, sewing tutorials, and resources can help me get there. In this example, I might start with learning how to interface a garment, perhaps curve a waistband, sew a zipper, twin needle topstitch (or sew with top stitching thread), etc. Then I would look for patterns that give me the opportunity to build my confidence in those areas!
PS - don’t forget to muslin AND press your seams as you go! Your final project will thank you for it.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PAPERCUT PATTERN AND WHY?
I love the Nova Coat and the Array Top!
I have made 3 Array Dresses (that are all lengthened to midi length and the neck lines each finished differently.
I made a fun video on Instagram showing them off: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ZnE8Sl3wq/?igshid=16d4lskezefrx )
And 1 array top (with another fun video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9FXxR7FSiN/?igshid=17wjoe7afpy3j)
Can you tell these dresses make me happy? I also made the Nova with the updated pattern! After my petite adjustments, and paired with a couple of nice lightweight linens and a beautiful printed cotton batiste fabric, it’s easy to see why it’s a favourite. It’s been too hot to wear it lately - but I can’t wait till fall gets here so I can get some use out of it!
ABOVE: Wearing The Nova Coat.
