
šŖ” š§µ Sew Much Love: Giving Flowers Where Theyāre Due š
Ā š Written by Stacey Quinn
Ā
Ā
As Iāve been easing back into blogging and thinking about how far Iāve come in my sewing journey, I realized how much certain people shaped my early inspiration, especially when I didnāt have a clear direction of my own.
Ā
I also wanted a way to fold in part of the reason I started sewing, why I stopped blogging, and whatās been on my mind as I find my voice again.
When I first started collecting sewing patterns, I thought this was a serious stash. This was the beginning⦠and Iām so proud of where Iām headed now. 𧵠⨠š«Ā
Ā
Itās wild to look back and remember how unsure I was in the beginning. I didnāt have the confidence I have now, and I definitely didnāt know what I was doing. But I followed people who did. I watched their tutorials, read their blogs, and took in everything I could. Thatās where Mimi G comes in, because if weāre talking about where it all started for me, she was the first spark.
āļø
Mimi G
Ā
A true trailblazer in the sewing world. Mimi G built an entire fashion empire from her blog and YouTube channel, blending DIY fashion with high-end style and business savvy. Sheās been a major source of inspiration for countless women of color who wanted to take up space in fashion.
Mimi G was the first person who truly made me believe I could sew. I found one of her skirts on Pinterest years agoā¦I didnāt even realize it was a DIY project. I just wanted to buy it! But when I clicked the link, I found a tutorial instead. And that one click changed everything. Her videos were the first sewing tutorials I ever followed, and they gave me the courage to try things I never thought I could make on my own.
Ā
I ended up going to two of her sewing conferences in LA, back when she was really building her in-person events. I didnāt know anyone, but the entire vibe was full of creativity, confidence, and Black women embracing their artistic side. I met so many beautiful people, and honestly, I was completely fanned out. Not over a celebrity, but over someone who really lived the creative life I dreamed of. Mimi drafts, sews, teaches, and builds. Sheās a powerhouse, and I have so much admiration for that.
Ā
There was one moment Iāll never forget: I saw her in the lobby at the JW Marriott (where the conference was held), and I was so nervous but asked to take a picture. The person with her said noā¦they were in a rush, but Mimi saw the disappointment on my face. She reached out, touched my arm, and said, āI promise, find me during the conference and weāll take that picture.ā And she kept her word. I found her a couple days later, and she smiled like she remembered me and said, āCome on, letās take your picture, girl.ā
Ā
It meant the world. That moment of humanity stayed with me, and itās one of the many reasons Iāll always speak her name with love. She saw me. And thatās something Iāll never forget.
Ā
Ā
šø Me + Mimi G at her LA sewing conferenceā¦one of the highlights of my creative journey. I was so nervous and so inspired. I had just started truly exploring sewing, and here I was standing next to the woman who made me believe I could actually do this. She was kind, gracious, and down to earth. Iāll never forget this moment. š«¶š½
āļøĀ
Anita By Design
Now this little lady right here⦠she absolutely captured my heart. I met Anita at Mimi Gās sewing conferences in LAā¦both times I attended, she was there. I didnāt really talk to her at the first one, but I remember watching her from afar and thinking: Wow. Small, feisty, with a beautiful short haircut and that radiant, genuine smile, she just exudes class. Elegant. Regal. Graceful. That smile you see in her blog photos? Thatās exactly who she is in person. Nothing about Anita is for showā¦sheās the real thing.
I was later introduced to her husband in the hotel lobby. He was tall, protective, and the way he looked at her⦠it was clear. That was her person. Her love. So when I learned he had passed away after a battle with illness, I felt it deeply, even from afar. Anita has spoken openly on her blog about that loss, and how she found strength through sewing, faith, and sharing her story. Watching her pour her grief into something creative and healing⦠it moved me in a way I canāt fully explain.
Sheās one of the biggest reasons I want to continue blogging. Watching her courage, her grace, her ability to process pain and still show up beautifullyā¦Anita reminds me that this space can hold so much more than just fabric and tutorials. It can hold real life. Real womanhood. Real love.
šø This photo is grainy, old, and imperfect, but thatās exactly why I love it. This was taken at Mimi Gās sewing conference years ago, and itās a reminder that my creative journey didnāt start yesterday. It started with moments like thisā¦with women like Anitaā¦long before blogging was polished and curated. This is real history, real community, and real connection. š«¶š½
Ā
Ā
Ā
āļøĀ
BeautĆ© Jāadore (Nikki Brooks)
Ā
Although Iāve never met Nikki in person, Iāve followed her journey for almost as long as Iāve been in the sewing world. I came across her content by being connected to other creatives in the community, and her style immediately felt familiar to me. Nikkiās aesthetic is very much aligned with mine: classy, effortless, polished, and undeniably feminine. She sews with the kind of grace and distinction that makes you pause. Her looks are modern, clean, and damn near couture-levelā¦yet wearable in the best, grown-woman way.
I love the way she works with vintage patterns, how she manipulates McCallās designs to make them her own, and how she shares fabric links with her audience to empower others to create. She even went on to land a brand deal designing for McCallās, and honestly? Itās well deserved.
Ā
What drew me in even more was that sheās a girl mom too, and I connected with that part of her story. She gives off this regal East Coast energy, like DC or Maryland vibesā¦with a quiet confidence and an air of luxury thatās still deeply relatable. While Mimi and Anita represent the West Coast side of this community, Nikki brought something different. Her studio setup alone is next-levelā¦one day, I hope to build my dream space inspired by what sheās created.
Ā
She once made a caftan that I loved so much, I recreated it in a different color and shared it on my Instagram. And Iāll never forgetā¦she liked it. That little moment meant the world to me.
Ā
Ā
Ā
āļøĀ
Erica Bunker
Ā
Erica Bunker is OG status, period. Iāve never met her in person and I donāt think Iāve ever seen her at a sewing conferenceā¦but you couldnāt be in the sewing space back then and not come across her work. I was introduced to her content through other sewing bloggers, and when I found her, it was clear: she was already doing her thing, in her own lane, and doing it with intention.
Ā
When I first came across her content, I could tell sheād been deep in her blogging journey long before I truly understood mine. What stood out most wasnāt just her styleā¦it was her polish. The garments she creates are feminine, clean, and technically precise. She pays attention to details that only real seamstresses catch: clean seam lines, excellent structure, and a true understanding of fit. Her posts always look like sheās teaching and serving looks at the same time.
Ā
Thereās also something really warm and consistent about Ericaās energy. Her smile always feels genuine, and, random but true, she wears a red lip like no other. If youāre near her complexion and need a lipstick recommendation, check her page because she stays serving face and fabric.
Ā
Even though Iāve never spoken to her, Iāve always admired how she commands quiet respect in the sewing world. Sheās never flashy or over-the-top, but you just knowā¦Erica knows what sheās doing. Sheās not just blogging. Sheās leading by example.
Ā
šø Erica, I came across this photo on your Instagram and I just had to include it. I think this picture is really cute of you, and I hope you donāt mind me sharing it here. Ā Classy, effortless, and a whole vibe. Thank you for inspiring so many of us to sew with excellence and elegance. š«¶š½
Ā
Ā
āļøĀ
Thatās Sew Monica
Ā
I havenāt had the pleasure of meeting Monica in person (yet), but Iāve followed her journey for years through the sewing community. Monica is a whole vibe. She gives off glam rich auntie energy with everything she creates, elevated, put together, and always sewn with clear intention.
Ā
Thereās this gorgeous light blue velvet trench coat she made earlier this yearā¦if you havenāt seen it, please go check her blog post about it. The detail was flawless, and the way she paired fabric, color, and pattern? It was beyond. Thatās something Iāve always admired about Monicaā¦her eye. She doesnāt just follow a pattern. She pushes the vision beyond whatās expected. Her fabric choices are bold, thoughtful, and unexpected in the best way.
Ā
Iāve caught myself saying, āWait⦠she made that out of suede?ā or āWho wouldāve thought to pair that fabric with that pattern?ā But thatās Monica, her fabric stash is probably unlike anyone elseās, because her taste is eclectic, intentional, and so inspiring.
Ā
She always has this beautiful glow about her, radiant smile, and that rich woman confidence. I believe sheās based here in Texas too, possibly Dallas like me, and I hope to meet her one day. Weāve chatted briefly via Messenger over the years, and sheās always been kind. Shout out to Monicaā¦doing her thing, blogging her heart out, and bringing style and soul to this community.
Ā
Monica, I found this photo on your blog and had to it becauseā¦maāamā¦the fabric choice, the pose, the whole look? Impeccable. This image really shows the kind of eclectic, statement-making energy that makes your style so special. I hope itās okay that I āborrowedā this shot to give you your flowers. You look absolutely beautiful, and I wanted to celebrate you properly. š«¶š½
Ā
Ā
āļø
Classyfied Life (Danesha)
Ā
Ā
Ā
I met Ms. Daneshaāaka Classyfied Lifeāat both of Mimi Gās sewing conferences, and let me tell you: she is exactly who she presents herself to be online. Charismatic. Bubbly. Always smiling. I donāt think Iāve ever seen her mad or without a glowing energy around her. Sheās like a burst of sunshine in every room she entersā¦melanated, warm, and full of light. If joy were a person, it might just be her.
Ā
Danesha has always had a free-spirited vibe about her, and Iāve admired her bold sewing choices from the very beginning. Even when she wasnāt a widely known blogger yet, she was already making noise. People noticed her, not just because of her looks or outfits, but because of her energy. I remember at one of Mimiās conferences, she won this really nice (and expensive!) serger during a giveaway. I donāt recall all the details, but I do remember thinking: Sheās about to put that machine to WORK. And she did.
Ā
Since then, Iāve watched her rise. Nearly 40,000 followers now. A thriving blog. And the best part? She never switched up. Her style, her smile, her essenceā¦itās all the same. Danesha stayed true to herself, and I respect that more than anything. Itās been over 10 years, and to see her journey from where she started to where she is now has been nothing short of inspiring.
Ā
Ā
Danesha, I found this photo on your Instagram and couldnāt resist including it here. This green looks absolutely stunning on your skin. I hope you donāt mind me using this, but I really just wanted to honor your presence and your glow. Thank you for showing up in this community with so much style and spirit. āØĀ
Ā
š The Women Who Paved the Way
These women didnāt just inspire me to sew, they showed me what it looks like to show up fully. With joy, with confidence, with consistency. Whether I met them in real life, exchanged a few messages, or simply admired them from afar, each of them has played a role in my journey as a creative Black woman, a seamstress, and a storyteller.
Ā
This part of the blog is my way of saying thank you. For the patterns, the posts, the poise, and the presence. Yāall made sewing feel like home. You helped me see myself. And thatās not something I take lightly.
Ā
If youāre reading this and youāre new to sewing, I hope youāll go follow these women, explore their blogs, and get inspired. They are that girl, each in their own way, and theyāve earned every bit of love and recognition.
Ā
Ā
Why Iām back (and why Iām staying)
Ā
Iāve shared the women who helped inspire me, but this space is where I share the woman Iāve become.
Ā
This blog is more than just a sewing journal now. Itās my lifestyle. My healing. My story. Itās a space where I can talk about homemade butter, Black womanhood, grief, growing a boutique, and baking biscuits from scratch.
Ā
Itās mine.
Ā
I want this space to evolve with me. Because even if I never write the book I dream of, this blog is already telling chapters of my life I never want to forget.
Ā
Ā
So no, I donāt have it all figured out.
But Iām here.
And Iām finally telling the truthā¦in my words, on my terms.
Ā
Ā
This is me. In my softness. In my strength. Finally showing upā¦for myself.
š«
With love,
Stacey