Creative of the Month: Terry Currie

Tell us a little about yourself...

I was born in Albury NSW and was asking for “terial” to make my Barbie’s clothes from a very early age.

When I’m not sewing I like to paint with water colour, using the Cricut machine for various projects and recently an old love of cross stitch has returned.

I listen to at least 1 audio book a week while sewing hahaha.

How did your sewing journey begin?

We moved to Toowoomba when I was 10.

My mum made clothes for me (including underwear) and I loved to be around the process.

In grade 6 at St. Anthony’s we learnt to sew on the old treadle Singer machine.

Do you remember the first thing you ever sewed?

My first make was in grade 6, a cute smock with puff sleeves.

Sister Delores said the fabric drove her mad as it was a very tiny red dot on white background.

Sister Delores also taught us to paint with Hobby Tex on a Gingham tablecloth which I still have.

What inspires your work?

My inspiration would be primarily colour and breaking the rules with colour.

Then pattern and texture and a passion for the unusual or unexpected.

We were fortunate enough to live in Philadelphia for 3 years where the patchwork/quilting passion really took off, driving to Amish country as often as I could. 

I like to recycle scraps of leather, soft furnishing fabrics etc. into bags and other useful items.

Collecting beautiful things for future projects is also a passion but that’s a different hobby as we all know.

What kind of sewing do you love most?

My favourite to sew would be the clutch bags I sell on Instagram, though becoming a grandmother among other things has seen that slow down.

Patchwork followed closely by garments are next. Gave up garments for a long time as the commercial patterns available often let me down.

While I could construct beautifully, I could not make a pattern fit me well enough.

The new generation of patterns such as Style Arc excite me now and have restored my confidence in Garment construction.

What project are you most proud of and why?

The Arabesque Sofa Station is high on the list. A combination of co-ordinating fabrics and techniques and fun using the “Shoreline” range by Moda. 

I’ve made two Stack and Wack (Kaleidoscope) quilts now which are so much fun.

I love all my quilts and often marvel that I did that! Most quilts I do these days are quilted by Annie’s Longarm Quilting at Thagoona – ain’t nobody got time for that!

Any sewing fails or funny moments you’ve had along the way?

I’ve often finished a bag and realised I’ve forgotten a design feature like a d-ring or one side of the closure.

I once sewed a wooden corner poker into a bag and had to “reverse Sew” (unpick) to get it out.

What’s your go-to sewing tip, favourite tool, or fabric you love to work with?

The awl is my favourite tool, I’ve been bitten by the sewing machine many times which is why the awl became my best friend.

If I could give one tip, it would be read twice, check twice, cut once and take your time… enjoy the process.

It’s not just about the finished article, don’t be in a hurry, a lot of projects have a tutorial if you search you tube or the pattern site.

Who or what are your creative influences?

I follow so many Instagram creatives. The Sewing Department is my favourite fabric go to and inspiration for garment ideas.

I’m a big fan of Linen and Block Prints and simple garments so obviously I get a lot of joy from your success.

Others would be The Laundry Basket for quilt patterns and Little Moo Designs for Bag patterns.

Kaela’s Patchwork and Quilting here in Ipswich is inspirational with the best workshop room I’ve ever seen.

Little Dram Collections for exclusive labels, buttons and anything else you can imagine you need.

Nevena Zakhariev @pinched is an amazing potter in the blue mountains and Lone Goat Studio is our own local gal creating artworks across many mediums…

I would like to spend just 5 minutes in her head to feel where it all comes from.

Are you working on anything exciting at the moment?

I’m currently working on “block of the month” with Sherri McConnell from “A Quilting Life” online.  

I’ve just cut May ready to sew using the scraps from “Shoreline” by Moda.

I’m also working on the Dream Birds book by Jo Avery for my Granddaughter Maeve, who will turn 1 on the 1st of August.

What advice would you offer someone just starting their sewing journey?

Anything else you’d like to share with the community?

Please support your local creatives, whether they be makers or fabric stores and sellers.

It’s hard to be creative when you can’t source all the fabulousness easily and without overseas postage etc.

These people go to great lengths to stock the very best notions/fabric and all the fabulous things.

Explore the creative universe of Terry Currie on Instagram: @tezziemadeit