We're excited to bring you our new "Sewing Spotlights," where we introduce you to one of our awesome sewing friends.
Our small, family business is a warm, welcoming, and FUN place for you to expand your creativity - and you are guaranteed to meet some awesome people along the way!
Meet Elvine & Keith Sandefur!
- This charming couple is a talented quilting duo. Elvine answered the questions, but Keith plays an important role in her sewing projects!
What kind(s) of sewing do you like to do? (sewing, quilting, embroidery, etc.)?
I’ve pieced several quilts, sending the quilting out to a quilter. I’ve also made pillows, travel totes, kitchen towels, place mats, etc., embroidered by machine.
What machine(s) do you have? Is there a favorite?
Baby Lock Destiny II and Baby Lock Ellisimo; also, straight-sew electric Elna, and a decorative-stitch Singer.
How long have you been sewing?
More than 60 years.
What are some of the projects you have made that you are most proud of or love the most?
Most of the 5 or 6 full-bed-sized quilts have been fun since they were the first decorative and embroidered sewing done with my Baby Lock machines.
The JACOBEAN JOURNEY design quilt was done all in golden thread, but also let me know that I do not have a feel or eye for angles and Keith kept the angles on the straight—Gave it to our son & daughter-in-law for their 25th Wedding anniversary.
Another quilt ORIENTAL EXPRESS was very repetitious and had I not forced myself to keep at it, I would have stopped half way through.
Favorite quilt (sort of) was one that I used squares (from other projects) that I had made, but had made mistakes or messed-up-stitching and sewed all together. A “not so bad” quilt was made.
close-up of Jacobean Journey quilt in progress - stitching blocks together
Keith and Elvine with 2 quilts they made together (Jacobean Journey on the left)
What advice would you give to someone who is just learning how to sew?
Know when you start to sew, mistakes and crooked sew lines are part of learning and can be used as a ruler “measuring” your improvement as you progress. Do not give up, but rejoice that your lines become straighter.
What are you working on right now?
I am not working on anything now, but most recent project was KIMBERBELL, “LOVE NOTES”. This design and fussiness are not my taste, but it did surprise me; I completed it (not on time) but can say, “it is different”.
What are some of your sewing tools you just couldn't live without?
I would guess it would be my rulers.
What do you like about being part of Creative Sewing & Quilting?
The friendly answers to questions and helpful class instruction.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the sewing family?
Much of the required straight length measuring is done by Keith. He is a do-it-yourself person and handy with lumber and steel tape measure – you measure twice and cut once when using a saw. I tend to cut over using more material because I let the ruler move.
Thank you for sharing with us, Elvine & Keith! We love seeing your team work and catching up when you come to visit us!
Do you want to jump in the Sewing Spotlight?
We'd love to learn more about you!
If you're interested, please email your answers to these questions to creativesewingcenter@gmail.com and include a photo of yourself.
Please also include any other photos you would like to share! (perhaps some of your projects, your sewing work space, or anything else you would like to share)
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