Good morning Melissa from Ms Midge .
Coffee or tea ?
Weak black tea with one sugar in the
morning - but Jarrah hot chockie in the evenings!
What is your business ? What do you do ?
My little
"hobby business" is Ms Midge! I sew a variety of yummy goodies, but mostly now
make little girls clothing.
How long has it been going ? How did it start out ?
I started out in late 2010, making art
smocks and library bags for the kids at my children's school. I then began
getting orders outside of that circle and it just sprung from there. I've made
a whole lot of different bits and pieces, but find it most fun to try new
patterns using gorgeous prints.
How do manage around your family ?
I only have the youngest of my four children at home, and she is four. So when
I want to sew, she is generally happy to amuse herself, or she will come in and
"help" me. I also work part time, so having full days to get projects and
orders completed are pretty rare. I basically just fit it all in when I can.
Quite often! When I use a pattern for the first time, I generally make it in
one of my girls' sizes, so that I can check the sizing. On many occasions they
have asked to keep them, and I have said yes.
What is your favourite craft ?
Sewing! I used to do a
lot of scrapbooking, but found that I needed big blocks of time to be able to
sit and get what I wanted done, which just doesn't happen.
Describe a normal day for you ?
A normal day starts around 7am, getting all four kids out the door
to school or swimming, then returning home to clean up before I can get stuck
into whatever it is I am creating. I could spend hours looking for fabrics, but
once I see something I like, it's ordered and on its way. I can also spend
hours working out fabric combinations and sizing choices. I like to get all my
sewing done by the time school finishes - but it doesn't always work out that
way!
Are your designs your own ?
Nope! I use a multitude of
different patterns, from all different pattern designers. I would love to be
able to design my own patterns, but am not confident. I alter patterns to suit
what I want and to make them a little different!
Tell us something quirky about yourself ?
I am a
serious creature of habit! I eat the exact same thing for breakfast, lunch and
afternoon tea every single day. My workmates think that is very bizarre! I
also do not like melted cheese - a fact that shocks many.
What are your plans ? How much further do you plan to
take your business ?
I'm more than happy where my little business is at
present. I honestly couldn't do much more than I am doing now without burning
out. I want to continue enjoying doing what I'm doing, without it becoming a
task or something I HAVE to do.
Where do you sell ?
I have a website www.msmidge.com but just don't have the time
to keep it up to date at present. So I mainly sell on my FB page www.fb.com/msmidgemadebyme where
customers can find ready made items as well as custom order options. I also
have a blog which is a mix of personal and sewing - www.msmidge.blogspot.com.au
Thanks so much for coming over for a cuppa Melissa .
Another fantastic crafty girl next week , seeya then x
