Grew up in '60's Northern Michigan, where girls were expected to learn how to sew. I remember how satisfying to knit or sew something and wear it to school. Sewing was also a way that my mom and sisters and I could wear something remotely fashionable, and I recall making Betsy Johnson dresses, pantsuits, gaucho pants and all sorts of other things to wear to junior high when the cool girls were in the forbidden "Hang Ten." In my 20's I was part ... Read Full Bio »

Grew up in '60's Northern Michigan, where girls were expected to learn how to sew. I remember how satisfying to knit or sew something and wear it to school. Sewing was also a way that my mom and sisters and I could wear something remotely fashionable, and I recall making Betsy Johnson dresses, pantsuits, gaucho pants and all sorts of other things to wear to junior high when the cool girls were in the forbidden "Hang Ten." In my 20's I was part of the first generation to discover vintage, and made it through college winters in Wisconsin wearing a '40's fur coat and attending parties in 60's wiggle dresses, while everyone else was in Quiana polyester. For 25 years the sewing machine went in the closet while I pursue a career in television, raised step-kids, traveled, and had a baby at 44. My husband works on big events like the Oscars, so I began collecting vintage 50's Haute Couture gowns from Didier Ludot in Paris to wear on the red carpet. Last year I got mini sewing machine to make my son a costume for school, and my sewing lust reignited. After fooling around making a few things, I took Craftsy's "Haute Couture Dress" course with Susan Khalje, bought all new equipment, and have begun a new hobby of making clothes from vintage patterns. I highly recommend that course!