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On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we’re talking about blogging and writing a book with my guest, Florence Knapp.
Florence is a quilter and dressmaker. For over a decade she has kept a blog, Flossie Teacakes, where she shares her adventures with a needle and thread and the life that goes on around her stitching. During this time she has designed sewing patterns and her work has been featured in various magazines, as well as in a book produced by the V&A Museum.
Florence’s early years were spent in England and Australia, where her childhood homes were filled with vibrant color and intense pattern. As an adult, she found quiltmaking offered the perfect canvas on which to continue to embrace these things, as well as to indulge her love for small-scale precision work through fussy-cutting and English paper piecing. In May 2018 her first book, Flossie Teacakes’ Guide to English Paper Piecing, will be published.
Florence with an advance copy of her new book!
We talk about the winding path that led us both to blogging at a time when almost nobody we knew understood what a blog was. Florence is the rare sewist who equally enjoys sewing clothes and quilting and she explains how one practice helps her to have renewed energy for the other.
A glimpse of some of Florence’s English Paper Piecing in progress.
We also spend some time unpacking this post about Alex Veronelli of Aurifil threads and Florence’s post that followed. We reference this book, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, and talk about forgiveness and the ability to change while in the public eye.
Florence wearing a shirt she made while listening to The Moth.
Florence explains how she got her book deal with The Quilting Company (F+W) and I reference a post I wrote a while ago about how to be your own agent.
Florence and her husband have another business as well. They design educational apps, called Squeebles, that help kids learn spelling words, fractions, times tables, and how to tell time.
In this conversation we also reference:
- Millefiori Quilts by Willyne Hammerstein
- Quilting on the Go by Sharon Burgess
- BBC4 Women’s Hour
And, of course, I ask Florence to recommend great stuff she’s loving right now. Florence recommends:
- Cup of Jo
- How to Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price
- The Moth
Keep up with Florence on her blog (she’s a wonderful writer!) and follow along with her crafting and life adventures on Instagram.
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This episode is sponsored by Ettie & Marion. Ettie and Marion creates truly original fat quarters for the modern quilter. As a small, independent screen-print and fabric design company, Ettie and Marion can release new fabrics as soon as inspiration strikes. See what’s coming next by following @EttieandMarion on Instagram or check out the website at ettieandmarion.com
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I enjoy reading your blog, and I follow Florence. I love her style of writing as well as yours, and how you express your opinions.
For me doing what you love as work (touched on in the podcast) only works out if you don’t have to give away what you make and find a way of sharing without giving up that end product (making for customers meant there was no longer time for making for me, or people I am happy to give to, and I love what I make). Patterns and books are an answer to that but it can still detract from your own personal endeavours which you don’t have time or energy for as you are burnt out from professional pursuits.
I have determined by trial and error that I prefer creating for me and mine rather than trying to market to others. When I realised that I found it upsetting when I sold something, and not at all the thrill I expected, was when I decided to keep my creative interests as a hobby. I much prefer it that way, and don’t feel I am in my very own sweat shop and don’t get burn out as there is no external pressure to keep that creative tap from running dry even when there is no flow. I just wait until replenishment comes naturally. I still push myself creatively and create my own patterns, learn new things etc. but it is its own reward.
I am always amazed by how long ago I found blogging. Lots of years ago now. I believe Henhouse handmade was the first followed by Posie gets cozy (coxed over by a crochet ripple blanket) but Flossie teacakes was not far behind. What ages the blogs is the growing up of small children mentioned as having ice creams appliqued to clothing who are then referenced as teenagers. Time really does fly by.
I have found blogs to be stimulating and have offered more inspiration than any other thing else in social media and they have become a huge and important part in my own crafting journey, due mostly to the inspiration rather than tutorials etc. I do now also watch quite a lot of video podcasts but they involve more of a time investment. I have Florence’s ebook on machine applique and it is meticulous,. I expect the quilting book has the same attention to detail and research, it looks pretty amazing as a reference. I must confess to finding the dressmaking my primary interest though with all the impeccable detailing, the hidden facings and bound edges that only you the maker knows about.
Finally I think authentic blogging is why those that have lasted so long have done so. The ones that have come and gone often did seem to have a purpose/agenda from the outset (marketing) where the more organic blogs have readers that are fully on-board with the writer, and so then want to support them when a book or something does happen. The bloggers that loved the process seem to still enjoy it and are still here – hard work though it is.
Sara, I read your comment with extreme interest! I learnt to sew as a small child from the age of 4 or 5 and was making my own clothes by the age of 10, continuing as I trained as a teacher (I was not allowed to train in anything creative, by my parents) and married. After losing 3 pregnancies in my thirties, I decided to change my life and did a BA in Art History, then worked in a leading art gallery. Still sewing every day, a chance encounter led to me doing a post grad Textile design course, ending with an MA. I taught Textile Design and worked freelance as a designer for over 10 years. I never though, unlike Florence, had the skills to self promote, that is more of a personality thing! I admire people who can do this, I loved teaching my students and seeing them go to leading design companies or set up themselves. I loved designing to a brief given me by a company, but as the designer, my name would be anonymous and unknown and their marketing company would do all that stuff. Now retired, I do my own projects again, for my own enjoyment, not better or worse, but different, as I have to please no one but myself. I sometimes wish I was the type of person who could write books and self promote, as I have a life times experience of designing and making, and see people with a lot less skill, do it, but that is just not me. I am an oddity in this time of self promotion and blogging (although I did the blog for the art school textiles dept to encourage students creativity). I make no judgements here, by the way, but I do congratulate your ability to know yourself, enjoy what you do for the sake of it, not everyone is cut out for every task in life. Follow your own creativity in your own way and listern to that inner voice, then,as I have said to many a student (and have to frequently remind myself too) you won’t go far wrong. Good luck with all your creative endevours.
Excellent podcast episode. I really enjoyed this interview for a variety of reasons. I am recommending it to my friends.
Thank you so much!