Introducing Christine Tomlinson Revitte of Simply Mary John
her etsy shop: simply mary john
christine is the sister of a former workmate of mine. thank you barb for introducing me to her. i've only met christine via email but her interview helped me take a peek into her life and what she loves to do. and well, you guessed it, she makes my favorite thing, BAGS.
1. Please share your story behind the name of your business?
My children are the influence here. My daughter's first name is Mary Ellen and my son's first name is John Patrick. Both are family names and it doesn't get much simpler than Mary John (www.SimplyMaryJohn.com). My sunrise logo is directly from one of my daughters drawings. Again, simple. My products are simple designs, the fabrics are unique though.
2. What are your favorite fabrics?
I adore natural fibers: linen, cotton, wool and silk. I appreciate the tactile sensations of weaves particularly jacquard, damask, tweeds, boiled wool, raw silk, etc. practically any type of fiber that I can close my eyes and enjoy with my hands. Secondly though I adore bright colors and fun prints, for no other reason than they just make me happy. Recently I have really enjoyed working with sweater fabric.
*cute sweater bags - cheers to you christine!
3. How long have you been sewing?
I am pretty sure that I came out of my mother’s womb with needle and thread in my hands. Ha! So I have been sewing for almost 38 years. The girls in my family made our Easter and Christmas dresses as well as all special occasion clothes. I also made quite a bit of my regular clothes. Bags
and purses are newer to me, I’ve actually only been sewing them for
about 6 years now. Outside of the business I still sew a lot of
clothes for my family.
4. Are you self-taught or did you take lessons, etc.?
I grew up in a rural farming community in West Virginia. I was born into a family of sewers. I honestly don’t remember learning to sew it is just something I have always had the privilege to be around. My mother and both Grandmothers taught and encouraged me, in addition to sewing clothes they all did much hand sewing, embroidery, needlework, cross stitch, crochet, etc. I also learned quite a bit from the many 4-H sewing projects and competitions. Design, fabric and creation has always been my passion. I graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Textile Design and Fashion Merchandising where my assistantship was to teach the basic sewing classes. I continue to take classes, read any type of design book, try new projects, and experiment with different fabrics. There has never been a time in my life when I wasn’t designing or creating something.
5. Do you sew every single day?
I certainly try to. It is
my therapy. I get completely lost in time when I am working with
fabric. On the days that my son is in pre-school I sew about 3
consecutive hours, on his day’s home it is much tougher as he likes to
"help". My dear husband helps me find time on the weekends by taking
the kids on “field trips” to get them out of my sewing room.
6. Do you do custom orders?
I actually do. Not a lot though due to time constraints. I have custom made everything from business card holders to diaper bags and almost everything in between. I am currently working on two shoulder purses, a diaper bag, a snow boot bag and a little girl skort.
7. What is your favorite design: clutch, wallet, handbag, etc?
I have fun with the card holders because they are quick and easy and the fabrics are adorable.
I enjoy the thought process and planning behind the totes with the coordinating fabrics and the satisfaction of seeing the pieces come together.
My favorite pattern for utilitarian sake is probably the little ditty bag which I think is the most useful item when running a quick errand or to the gym. I get lots of requests for these.
8. How long does it take you to complete a bag?
Card holders about 30
minutes, ditty bags and wristlets about 45 minutes, totes about 1 ½
hour. I rarely complete one bag at a time now. I
will cut several varied fabrics at a time so I am working more in an
assembly line method. This makes the bags go together faster.
9. Do you think that you will put your designs in local shops?
I am considering this
route for next year, 2011. However, I am trying to be extremely
realistic with my ability to deliver while my time is limited with my
littlest one still at home.
10. What is your favorite sewing machine?
I learned on a basic Singer, I inherited my Mom’s old One-Touch Singer, I have only bought Singer sewing machines. My Serger however is a Brother. I currently sew with three basic machines, two Singers and a Brother. I am completely satisfied with the simple Singer models.
11. How long have you been in business?
I opened up my Simply Mary John website (www.simplymaryjohn.com ) and Etsy store in January of this year, 2010. I have always made and sold my designs and yet this year felt like the right time to turn my passion into my business.
12. What is your favorite thing about your business?
The most wonderful thing about starting this business has been the sincere support and encouragement from my family and friends. The next is the self acceptance that this gift or this gift or talent that I have been blessed with, that fulfills me, that is what I have been put on this earth to do, can sustain me.
HUGE thanks again christine for joining us on friday feature today. i will be following your progress and cheers to you in the year ahead.
best wishes for a happy friday and a happy weekend.
hugs, rachel
