ABOUT SEW JOE

I have been stitching garments since I was a little girl.  I wanted to sew for my Barbie doll, because at the store, doll clothes were 79 cents,  which seemed like a fortune.  So, with my mom (Martha’s) guidance and inspiration from my aunt Nina, who was a professional dressmaker, I learned to sew and never stopped.

I started sewing professionally 30 years ago with bridal & bridesmaid gowns, theatrical & Halloween costumes, and did countless alterations. I still want to make a grown-up version of that little black gown my Barbie had, remember the skin-tight one with the tulle flounce at the ankles?

--well you just can’t walk in that thing.

My fashion education includes two years at Pasadena City College in the Fashion Program where I learned more advanced couture sewing methods, pattern draping, flat-pattern making, grading, apparel design, illustration, history of costume, textiles and fashion show production. I included three semesters of ceramics during that time because playing with clay was just the mud therapy I needed.

I’m finally getting time to design and sew handmade purses, pillows and accessories.  I like mixing fabrics and textures and adding trinkets and found objects to my work.  I’m having lots of fun, and have a few posted in my new Etsy Shop I call MarthaNina.  Check out some samples of my work below.

                                                                                                                                              --Jeanie Joe