Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Swindle
Hi Chelsea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sewing has been an integral part of my life since I was 15 years old. I used to sneak out of my classes in high school to go to the home ec room to work on my sewing projects. In college I started a little sewing business to make extra money. I would buy cute sheets from the thrift store and sew them into what I called “Apartment Pants” (comfy, wide legged lounging pants). They were a hit with my classmates and coworkers. I continued to sew garments, bags and blankets for enjoyment up until I had my children, at which point I shifted my focus to making their clothing. I especially loved making dresses for my daughter.
I enjoyed making those dresses so much that I started another small business in my mid 30’s called Strawberry Feather, where I made and sold my own line of children’s garments for several years, all while working a full-time job in Program Management. My 3rd child was a Covid baby and I ended up quitting my job after his birth to stay home with my children. During that time, as fulfilling as it was, I felt like part of me was missing. There was very little time for me to sew and create.
In the summer of 2022, I decided to start a TikTok account to share some of my favorite sewing and upcycling tips. What I discovered after several months is that this was a niche that people were very interested in. The feedback I was receiving was so positive and encouraging. I decided to expand to Instagram, then Facebook and last, YouTube.
My YouTube account has become a place for long form, slower sewalongs where I teach new sewists how to make projects from start to finish. The other three social accounts have become a place for me to share short tips and tricks as well as my makes. It was been a whirlwind few years of navigating new technologies and social media platforms, but it has been wildly fun for me to share my love of sewing with my new friends!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has been for the most part smooth and I attribute that to the fact that I’m sharing with the world something that I absolutely adore. To see the excitement in someone’s face when they figure out a new technique is worth all of the hard work!
If anything, my only obstacle has been myself, as I tend to get a little overwhelmed with technology and the nuance of the social media world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in making sewing approachable and attainable to ALL people – regardless of how much money or experience they have. I am passionate about budget sewing projects and also love the challenge of upcycling old materials into something new. I have spent the last few years building my presence as the “resident sewing hype girl” of the internet. I love to share my knowledge and to celebrate with my followers when they conquer their fears and dive into learning about sewing. I hope that when my followers watch one of my tutorials that they will walk away feeling empowered to go and try it themselves.
I think what sets me apart in my niche is my attitude and sense of humor towards sewing. I tend to be a bit self deprecating and silly in my content and I think that helps disarm my viewers so they can come to the table knowing that whatever happens, it’s all going to be ok. My sewing room is never clean, I sometimes show up on my videos with wet hair or in my PJ’s. When inspiration strikes – I just turn the camera on and go for it! I think that might help others not feel the need to be so perfect.
I am so proud of the business I have built! From it I have grown a wonderful audience of new and experienced sewists alike – where we can share our triumphs and fears in a safe space.
In late 2022, I self published my first book, a Sewing Journal that is available both on my website and at Barnes and Noble. It is a tool for sewists to document their amazing creations all in one place while creating a lovely heirloom that they can share with future generations.
I also added a merch line to my website in 2023 for fun sewing stickers, shirts, bags and hats. We sewists LOVE our swag! The merch line has been incredibly successful so far and I hope to grow it more in the coming year.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m not sure how much of any of this was good or bad luck. I attribute my success so far to hard work and a willingness to learn, grow and change. I don’t know everything there is to know about sewing but I am eager to share the things I do know and eager to learn more about the things I don’t. Sometimes things fail. The best thing to do in that circumstance is release it and keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shesewsseams.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shesewsseams/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/She-Sews-Seams-61557878647763/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shesewsseams
