Today I would like to introduce you to a lovely, friendly lady with many talents up her sleeve! Of course, not least of which is her sewing! Over to you Teje:
Christine thank you for inviting me here! I’m excited and happy to join this fantastic series of sewists and pattern makers!
Hi! I am Teje from Finland and I’m
living in Greece with my Greek husband, our two dogs and one cat.
Both countries and
cultures have an effect on my works. Beautiful nature, colours, Greek sea and
mountains, Finnish forests and lakes – they inspire me. My grandfather was a
painter, my mother was an artist in many fields and my father is an architect.
I have inherited love for colours, designing, art and creating. My dear sister,
who lives in England is very talented sewist and has her own business with
unique leather items.
When did you start to sew, who taught you and what do you like to sew?
I was lucky to have very talented
mother who stayed at home with us. She taught me and my sister to sew, knit,
crochet, weave and most important she thought us to create and enjoy making
something on our own. I was about 5 years when I made my first crochet jumper.
First we sew clothes for dolls and later for ourselves.
I used to sew all kind of cloths and
even winter coats, bags and things for home. About 3 years ago I finally found
the courage to start patchwork and the same time I began to write my blog.
Patchwork and quilting became a passion! I love to make quilts and other things
(bags, pouches, notebook covers, cushions) with patchwork. Also I really enjoy
hand quilting.
I learnt to quilt by myself with the
huge help of fantastic quilters who share their knowledge, tutorials and tips
in their blogs.
Do you use patterns?
I don’t use very many patterns
except for clothes and even then I often sew from my own ideas and use an old
cloth for pattern. For quilts and bags I haven’t used patterns. I enjoy very
much making plans what to sew and finding a way how to do it.
Before quilting I used to knit all
the time and usually fantastic yarn was the inspiration and then I started to
plan what to knit with that. Now with the quilting it happens often that I
start to look my fabrics and puzzle with the colours and prints. I may have had
a project in my mind but sometimes fabrics and colours lead me to sew
something else.
All-time favourite?
My latest quilt ‘Fantasy Forest’ is
my all-time favourite. It was a project that wasn’t planned, difficult and
something new to me (foundation piecing). I loved those fantastic animal blocks
and wanted to give a try. I couldn’t have guessed that I shall make a whole
wall hanging quilt and win the 1st prize!
My favourite bag is quite simple.
Once my sister sent to me some lovely linen patches and I made a patchwork with
them and solid natural canvas. I quilted them with circles and made ‘My
Favourite Bag’, shoulder bag with lots of pockets inside.
Generally I love all kind of
fabrics! There are so many fantastic fabric lines and amazing designers! One
all-time favourite is Kaffe Fassett. First I was a fan of his knittings and
yarns and now I enjoy watching his beautiful designs on quilts and fabrics. His
colours are always fantastic! I like to use many kind of materials and upcycled
fabrics. Men’s shirts are great for quilts and lining in the bags.
Any sewing secrets you would like to share with us?
Enjoy sewing and don’t worry about
small ‘mistakes’. It’s handmade and should show. Take time for your sewing
because it’s important to make something we enjoy, even short moments. How
lucky we are being able to do something we love.
What sewing machine/s do you have?
My first sewing machine was Husqvarna
and it was wonderful. Now I have simple Singer and I can work with it, even I
miss many things. I dream about a new Husqvarna with all the quilter’s goodies.
Do you have any sewing goals?
Usually I don’t set goals. I sew
what I feel and like and what inspiration and idea comes to me. I’m very happy
that I have tried and learnt many techniques like paper piecing, foundation
piecing, applique, embroidery etc. I just received amazing present from a
friend and it made me want to learn more about the quilting generally. Also I
want to make more variable quilt designs, surprising and fun. Absolutely I want
to make more tutorials and patterns to encourage and help new sewers and
quilters.
Any UFO’s?
The second quilt top I made is still
ufo. I made it with soft men’s shirt fabrics in many blue and white colours (my
favourites). I used ‘disappearing 9 patch’ pattern which I like very much. I
basted the quilt but then without knowing enough, started to quilt it too
difficult. Now I’m just waiting to find enough energy to rip the quilting I
have stitched and start again.
When do you find the time to sew & quilt?
This could be my sewing secret as
well – we just have to take the time! When there is something you desperately
want to do, you find time. Fortunately I had lot of time when I started
quilting. Now even I’m sometimes very busy, I take the time because I know how
important it is to me to feel well. There is always something else to do but if
you wait to finish first all the house works, gardening etc. you never have
time to sew.
Do you have a dedicated sewing space or room?
Our small attic is my creative
space. I have all my materials around me. There is not very much space and I
miss the big room with big tables I used to have, but this works well enough
and shows that it’s not the place and tools but the enjoy and need to make
something.
Do you have any other hobbies?
Quilting drove over most of my other
hobbies.
But still I love to knit, crochet, read and paint.
Blogging is also my favourite hobby!
When I began my blog, I thought it was great idea to write with my dog Nero –
if there was nothing to show about my sewings, he could tell his stories.
Unfortunately Nero doesn’t very often get a chance to write because I have always
so much to show and tell. Nero is famous and loved by his readers and our
tradition is that he always picks the giveaway winners. If he just could write
on his own, when I don’t have time to write!
Christine, thank you for inviting me
to join your exciting series of sewists!
Sunny wishes from Crete!
TEJE
Find more on Teje here:
BLOG * ETSY * CRAFTSY * TWITTER * PINTEREST
Thank you for sharing your fabulous work with us Teje….very inspiring indeed! 🙂
Next week we have someone who has been sewing since she was a little kid and her grandma made sure she had a good sewing machine….how lovely to have such an encouraging grandma……
Happy Sewing! 🙂
Thank you so much Christine for having me here! This was exiting and fun! x Teje
Wow Teje is a talented woman! Thanks Christine for letting me know about her and her blog too because I am now a follower of hers.
I love Teje’s bog and I enjoyed finding out more about her here. Thanks for hosting such a great interview 🙂
I love Teje’s style and her blog and I am in awe of the wonderful quilting she does. Great to learn a little more about you, Teje.
You are welcome Teje and it has been a pleasure getting to know you better! 🙂
These interviews are FUN, hey! So nice to get to know more people around the globe with similar interests! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Janine! 🙂
Yes, me too Pam! I hope I can quilt so nicely one day too! (When I actually get around to trying it, that is! LOLLL)
I like the two loops with the circular strap for the handles on her bags. Beautiful fabrics and simple designs, just lovely.
Thanks for your comments Patricia….Yes…Sometimes simple designs can have the ‘WOW’ factor, just as much as a complicated one…. 🙂
You are really so amazing sewist. I read this whole blog and I get many more details about you. You are really inseparable.