Sarah, from Sewing with Sarah

Hello Cali fabric loving friends! I'm Sarah, and I love to sew and blog at Sewing with Sarah.

When I got married (16 years ago!) my husband came with a sewing machine. I laughed at him, swearing I would NEVER sew, and that he better plan to be the one in charge of hemming, curtain construction and all other things crafty in our relationship.

As you know, it's never a good idea to say ``never``, especially at the beginning of a marriage....because now I spend pretty much every spare minute, when I'm not taking homeschooling, working as a college counselor or taking care of our clan of 5, sewing and listening to him say ``I told you so`` (with love).

I especially love sharing tutorials, new techniques and funny stories about our photo-shoots on my blog, and am thrilled to be a part of this team, so I can use the beautiful Cali & Co. fabrics to inspire you to find your own love of sewing!

Gillian, from Crafting a Rainbow

Hi! My name is Gillian, and I love to sew! I blog at craftingarainbow.wordpress.com and I run the Sewcialists.

I’ve enjoyed sewing since I was a kid, but when I started sewing clothes in 2012, it became a bit of an obsession. I’m all about wearable, comfy everyday clothes – and my wardrobe is overflowing! I’ve pulled all the colours that I love wearing into my personal colour palette, which keeps me inspired and my fabric shopping on track. I’ve ordered from Cali Fabric for years, and I’m so excited to be able to join their blogger team!

I live in Ontario (Canada) with my nerdy and awesome husband and our two cats. I’m a teacher by day, and fabric hoarder by night!

Jennifer, from Jenny Maker

Hi! I’m Jennifer, or Jenny if you’d like, and I blog at Jenny Homemaker. I currently reside in Atlanta with my fiancé/sounding-board/photographer, Brandon, and fur baby/supervisor/photobomber, CoCo.

I started sewing in 2009 after a long-distance move, when it became clear I needed a new hobby. I was fearless, choosing a fully-lined, polyester satin, bubble-hem party dress as my first garment. As you might expect, it was a bit of a disaster and was never worn (we dubbed it the “shiny trash bag” dress), but I saw potential in the idea of sewing my own dresses and didn’t hesitate to jump back in.

What started as a way to pass the time has turned into one of the things I’m most passionate about! I’m well on my way to having a fully handmade wardrobe, sewing everything from lounge clothes to silk dresses! When I’m not sewing, I’m learning. When I’m not learning, I’m planning.

Since fabric is such a great part of sewing (sometimes the best part, right!?), I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Cali Fabrics team, sharing some amazing fabrics and helpful tips with you!

Tori, from The Doing Things Blog

Hi! I’m Tori, and my cute husband is Dallas. We both love the beach, ice cream on top of freshly baked cookies, hiking, and road trip jam sessions. We also eat Mexican and Greek food like it’s going out of style.

We have a son, Braden, who was born in December 2016, and he is the sweetest little boy who naps really well so that Mommy can sew.

My love for clothes started to develop at the beginning of high school, but got a little out of control once I got a job in retail the summer I graduated high school. It took me a `{`long`}` while to realize that I never really wore anything in my closet (about 200 shirts, give or take), and I was more of a basics and comfort kind of girl.

I have always wanted to learn how to sew. My grandma is an amazing seamstress and make can make anything. I was always so amazed at the things she would make, but when I was younger, sewing dolls, pillow cases, and quilts didn’t really interest me.

Once while Dallas and I were dating, he MADE me a dress! Ya know, just because he wanted to and he had a sewing machine for when he had to mend his clothes. He really did make dress for me, and even though it was too small because I didn’t tell him the right size, it completely blew my mind that he could just make a dress by following the instructions!

I gradually eased myself into sewing smaller things, but finally made my first dress in the summer of 2015. I have learned so much and gained a lot more momentum since then, and I love sewing much more than I thought I ever would! Over the past couple of years, I have cleaned out my closet and have tried really hard to stick to clothes that are basic/simple and that I know I will wear. I also LOVE sewing dresses, and although I don’t wear them quite as often, I hope someday I wear one every day!

Katie, from Creative Counsellor

Hi, I’m Katie from the Creative Counselor, and I’m very pleased to meet you all and be part of this great blogging team! I’m a mom of three wonderful kiddos and a lawyer and corporate litigator at a Midwestern firm. That’s what I do for my day job — in my free time (ha! what mom really has any “free” time?) I like to sew, knit and be crafty.

I’ve embraced a learn-as-I-go approach to sewing, and I share my thoughts about patterns, fabrics, fashion and anything else that comes to mind over on my blog.

I never spent a minute in my life in front of a sewing machine until I was pregnant with my daughter in the spring of 2011. Then I broke out my sewing machine and made her nursery bedding. It was kind of sloppy and less-than-perfect, but it held up to 2 years of regular use, and I learned a lot.

The sewing machine was packed away again until July of that year, when N was about 2 months old. Then I saw pictures of some of the darling dresses that a friend had made for her daughter. I looked at them and thought, “I can do that.” I dusted off the sewing machine again, and the rest is history!

I’ve been sewing diligently ever since, getting better and learning new skills every day. I started sewing for myself in the summer of 2012, and my skills really started to take off. I’m now addicted to making my own clothes, and have an ultimate goal of owning a 100% handmade wardrobe. My favorite things to sew are things for me.

Jennie, from JennieMasterson.com

Hi! I’m Jennie, I love to try new things and have dabbled in many things -painting, guitar, archery (to name a few). but I have found that sewing brings me the most joy. I love to listen to audiobooks while I’m at the machine and love the adventures they take me on while I’m creating.

One of my favorite things about sharing my makes, is hearing you guys say something I’ve done has inspired you in some way. It really lights my world!

I’ve got Colorado and Tennessee roots, but I live happily in North Carolina.

My husband and family are my first love, the beach is my second. I love the energy in the waves and the warmth of the sun on my skin.

Audrey, from Skirt Fixation

Hi! I’m Audrey, and it probably comes as no surprise that I love skirts! I blog over at Skirt Fixation with my daughters. We blog about everything skirt related, and general sewing stuff too!

I started sewing in my teen years as my height increased. Finally ending up at six feet tall cemented forever my need to sew! I also LOVE to sew for my 8 (not a typo!) kids.

Sewing has become my hobby, and I usually find time for it every day. Even though I have 7 kids! I’m a confessed fabric addict, NOT on the road to recovery anytime soon! I’ve even dabbled a little bit in fabric design. No fabric substrate is safe from my creative endeavors, but recently I’ve challenged myself to conquer knit fabrics.

With all the familial experience, I’m delighted to join the CaliFabrics family of sewing bloggers. I’ll try to blog about more than just skirts, throw in a splash of humor here and there (it’s how I’ve survived 7 kids!) and share my sewing successes and woes. I can’t wait to meet and read about everyone else’s sewing adventures.

Margo, from Creating in the Gap

Hi Everyone! I’m Margo. Sewing is my passion and I share my journey of creating a handmade wardrobe on my blog Creating In The Gap. I live on the beautiful east coast of Canada with my favorite people…aka..my husband and grown kiddos…close by.

I started sewing at the age of four…(I caught the bug early!)…sewing buttons on every scrap of fabric I could find. I continued to sew crafty things like pillows, purses etc. and then I learned about clothing patterns in my teens. That was a key turning point for me. Learning to sew clothing has allowed me to satisfy my inner fashionista…I love to try it all, from vintage to trendy and by sewing it myself, I can tailor it to my own tastes and play designer.

I’m excited to be a part of the family at Cali Fabrics. I look forward to sharing my passion for sewing with the amazing sewing community here and I know that I will also be inspired by the wonderful things that will be made with Cali fabrics.

Lara, from Handmade by Lara Liz

Hello! I am a sewist from outside Washington, DC on a quest to fill my closet with handmade items. After picking up sewing in May of 2016, I have spent any spare moment sewing as I find such joy in the ability to make clothes that suit my style and needs! You will always find me gravitating towards feminine styles with floral prints and beautiful solids.

Jen, from Tie Dye Diva

Hello! I’m Jen, and I create PDF sewing patterns for baby and children’s wear over at Tie Dye Diva Sewing Patterns. I love the technical side of patternmaking almost as much as I love the creative side of choosing fabrics and sewing them! My assistant and I keep the Tie Dye Diva Sewing Patterns blog full of sewing tips and tutorials and features of new patterns. We also like to hang out on Instagram, which is where you’ll find pics of what we’re working on, or what we’re snacking on, depending on the day.

I live in Northern California not too far from Cali Fabrics with a supportive and patient husband who never complains about having serger tails sticking to his shirt, and 3 beautiful children who are great fit models, accomplished fabric-stash refolders and enthusiastic critics of my work. When I’m not sewing, I’m at yoga, wishing I were on the beach, or eating chili-infused chocolate. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Cali Fabrics blogging team!

Sarah, from Musings of a Seamstress

Hey Sewists! I am Sarah and I blog at Musings of a Seamstress. I am a Midwestern girl who has a passion for sewing, knitting, cooking, traveling, and photograpy. I have been with my husband for 15 years. We have two cats and two dogs who keep us on our toes. We are currently in the process of adopting our first child, which I blog about from time to time. My husband and I also enjoy going to the renaissance faire every year, of course we are in costumes that I make.

I have known since I was in second grade that I want to work in fashion. When my sister and I were younger we used to play dress-up with our bed sheets. I would always play the “designer” and drape the sheet around her creating new dresses for her to wear. It was no surprise that when I graduated high school I was going to college for design. I received my BA in apparel design in 2006 and now work as a Senior Technical Designer for a garment manufacturer designing show choir costumes. My life is full of sequins and glitter and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I spend most all of my spare time sewing, thinking about sewing, or blogging my makes. I make about 85% of my own wardrobe that I constantly wear. I truly am obsessed with sewing and very excited to share some of my tips and techniques with all of you.

Alexandra, from Library of Alexandra

Hi! My name is Alexandra. I blog over at The Library of Alexandra. I blog about sewing, textiles, books and reading!

By day I am a high school librarian, but by night I sew up a storm! I grew up watching my mother sew and hearing stories of my grandmother’s time working in the Philadelphia garment district, but I only recently took up sewing myself. I made my first dress in December 2015 and have been sewing like gangbusters ever since! I like to challenge myself with sewing projects, and want to try out sewing a coat and jeans this year.

Tami, From Sew Sophie Lynn

Hi, I’m Tami and I blog over at SewSophieLynn. As a mom of five I’m constantly going, doing, and giving. I love it but somewhere in there I lost a bit of ‘me’. Creating is that outlet that lights a fire and gives me the energy and drive to get through the carpools, laundry, dishes, and just everyday life. I find myself again as each new project comes together.

I started sewing more when my oldest daughter was born, hence the name SewSophieLynn. My mom taught me how to sew doll clothes as a young girl and my knowledge has grown as I dive head first into each new pattern and technique. I love to test new pdf patterns and the community and friendship that comes with being a pattern tester. My love of photography has grown out of necessity as a tester, too. Nothing makes me more happy than the perfect shot of my newest handmade project!

I’m so happy to be joining the Cali & Co. team!

Candice, from Sewing Portfolios

Hi There! My name is Candice Ayala, I blog over at CandiceAyala.com, and I am also the owner and creator of SewingPortfolios.com.

I was born and raised in Belize, Central America, but I now reside in Los Angeles, California – with my husband, our two kids and our fish named “FISH”. (haha, the little named him!). I’m an Administrator by day, and a sewing ninja/blogger by night.

When I taught myself to sew 6 years ago (thank goodness for YouTube), I instantly became enthralled by the creative possibilities of fabric, and have been excited and obsessed about sewing since. Very happy it has led me here, I’m so thrilled to be a part of the Cali & Co Blogger Team!

Maria, from Maria Rose Sews

Hi there! I’m Maria, founder of Maria Rose Sews. I started my business to create beautiful, quality clothes and fabric goods for people to use in their everyday lives. In addition to starting my own business, I also work freelance so I’m always sewing something new and unique.

My sewing career started in college when I got a job in the costume shop of a dance theatre. After my first year, I switched majors from Architecture to Costume Design and worked in several theatres during college.

After graduating, I moved to the Bay Area with my husband and started working as a bridal alterations seamstress. After a year of alterations I knew I wanted to do more creative work, so I quit my job and started working at Fabric Outlet (Cali Fabric’s brick & mortar store in SF), while pursuing my freelance career.

In November of 2016, we moved to Portland and soon after I founded Maria Rose Sews. I can’t wait to share my sewing projects with you, as well as my foray into becoming a business owner.

Tanya, from Mrs. Hughes

Hello there! I’m Tanya, otherwise known as Mrs. Hughes. I’m a Northern California ranch gal in love with retro styles, kitschy prints and bright colors. I’ve been sewing most of my life and documenting my sewing adventures on my blog in 2012 and it’s been a wonderful experience being a part of the online sewing community. I’m always inspired by what other sewists are making and I love sharing what I’m sewing as well.

In a past life I was an anthro-archaeologist, but I now spend my days on my family’s cattle ranch caring for animals, being a steward of the land and studying fashion history. I’m a vintage pattern collector and have a fondness for fabrics adorned with dogs — especially Boston Terriers. Sewing has provided me with the opportunity of sewing my dream wardrobe full of unique vintage inspired dresses. I’m often imagining dresses I want to create and searching for the perfect fabrics to pair with my patterns to bring those to fruition.

I’m happy to be a part of the Cali Fabrics team and I can’t wait to show you what I’ll be making from their wonderful fabrics!

Ron, from Cali Fabrics

Hi, I'm Ron! I was raised in a fabric store, and grew up obsessed with design. When I decided to meld my family's business with my passion for the web, Cali Fabrics was born! I love being part of a small business, and all the hats I get to wear as part of the job (fabric cutter, customer service guru, and now, blog editor). I'm passionate about fabrics, design, and small business.

When I'm not obsessing over Califabrics.com, you can find me at home with my wife and our small menagerie (A German Shepherd, a Rottweiler, and 3 cats), or roaming around Disneyland, trying to get the most out of our annual passes.