The Style Arc Maker of the Month competition made its return in February 2025, and we’re thrilled to announce our winner! We can’t wait to showcase her stunning creation. Read on to be inspired!
The winner for February is the amazing @makelingsmakethings and her stunning creation of our Anita Blouse! The extraordinary level of detail in this garment has left our office in awe of her skills.
It took Christine over three months to complete this beautiful piece, which she lovingly gifted to her granddaughter.
Read on to explore Christine’s Q&A as our featured Maker of the Month! As a token of appreciation for her incredible work, she received a $40 Style Arc voucher.
If you’d like to follow Christine’s journey in more detail (which we highly recommend!), you can read more on her blog here.
Q & A with
What drew you to the Anita Peasant Blouse, and what made it the perfect choice for your project?
The Anita is a great and versatile classic peasant blouse. There are a lot of peasant blouse patterns out there, but I like Style Arc patterns because they are always so well drafted, and it is easy to make any modifications to suit the project at hand.
I’ve used Anita several times, initially making the standard stock version for a friend. I also used it as a base pattern for a Little Mermaid Ariel costume for my granddaughter, where I did some elastic smocking at the neckline and cuffs to get the right look.
2. We’re curious about the Ukrainian embroidery you used—what inspired the design, and how long did it take to bring it to life?
It took me a little over three months to finish this blouse. Vyshyvanka is the Ukrainian word for the embroidered blouses, chemises and shirts that are part of traditional Ukrainian national garb. Ancient Ukrainians believed that a vyshyvanka worked as a protective talisman for the wearer. Modern day Ukrainians wear their vyshyvanka garments as a symbol of national pride and cultural identity.
Hopefully, I’m not going to be making just the one vyshyvanka. My long range plan is to make a vyshyvanka shirt or blouse for each of my seven grandchildren – a connection to me, and to our shared Ukrainian heritage.
3. This beautiful blouse was gifted to a family member—how do you balance sewing for yourself versus sewing for others?
Everything about sewing is my happy place and so I devote a lot of time to it. I have a really nice little studio and a couple nice machines and since I retired three years ago, I’ve been able to spend quite a lot of time in my studio. I love buying patterns and fabric and notions and have quite a stash – a lot of Style Arc patterns in my hoard.
I’d say it’s about 50/50 sewing for myself/others. I make almost all of my own clothes, because I hate spending time shopping and spending a lot of money on mediocre RTW that never fits quite right and falls apart after a few washings. I like for my clothes to be well crafted, fit properly and be made from quality fabric, so a make them myself, to my standard.
But I also sew a lot for family, especially my grandkids (I have seven). I make clothes for the little ones, I make costumes for Halloween and youth theatre productions. I make shirts for my husband, sons and son-n-laws, I made wedding gowns for my daughters… Sewing one-of a kind things for others is very gratifying, and my family appreciates it.
4. Sewing can be a journey! What’s your best advice for those who want to slow down and truly enjoy the creative process?
One of my favourite quotes is by Vonnegut “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.”
It is hard to find time to fit in something for yourself in the busy lives we lead, but taking that time to create… to make… well that’s how to “make your soul grow” and create joy.
I would encourage people to get back to working with some hand techniques to get really connected to a project. I have some great machines that can do all sorts of stuff, but it’s in handcraft I find a calm serenity. I think embroidery or beadwork, or a hand-stitched edge, or making a hand-dyed textile – those handmade touches not only make your garment special and one-of-a-kind, it puts a little bit of you right in there.
Does this sound like something you’d love to be a part of?
Now’s your chance to sew, share, and shine! The competition is open until the end of March 2025, so don’t miss out.
Grab your fabric, pick your pattern, and start stitching! Be sure to share on Instagram and tag us with #samakermar25 for your chance to win and be featured.
We can’t wait to see your incredible creations and celebrate your talent!
Happy sewing!
♡ The Style Arc team