About Brian

Before sewing clothes, I started sewing hair (!) back in 2003, making hair extensions for my hair salon in Las Vegas. My first sewing machine was given to me by a drag queen. It was a 1957 Kenmore and I still have it.

I grew up with a mother who made us clothes. I remember watching TV with the sound of the sewing machine rumbling above our heads. Our clothes were very basic back then: elastic waist shorts, simple button down shirts, and for winter she made jackets. My grandmother also sewed and did more intricate work including home decor items that I remember being in awe of as a kid. Unfortunately neither thought to teach me how to sew.

My Mom's machine was available and while she didn't exactly discourage its use, she didn't encourage it either. (I had a fascination with taking things apart and she may have been a little uncomfortable leaving me with her machine.) My brother did some sewing when he was in high school and I can see him doing it again some day. Sewing is obviously in my blood, because I feel like I've been doing it for many, many years.

Besides one dress shirt back in 2003, I really started sewing clothing in the summer of 2008. I was irritated that I could not find a good swimsuit that fit properly and cost less than $50. I realized that they were basically just very expensive underwear, so I decided to do it myself. Since I didn't know spandex was supposed to be difficult it wasn't, and after I made bags and bags of rejects I finally got a pattern I loved. Things have progressed a lot since then.

At this point I'm obsessed with sewing and simply can't stop!

I have a fetish for old heavy sewing machines and the $1 table at Walmart. I have two Necchi Supernova's and another Kenmore I picked up for $2 at a thrift shop. My Kenmore serger came from Ebay, cost less than $75, and is a true work horse. My coverstitch machine also came from Ebay, but I usually think of ways to get around needing to use it. It's a good machine but takes practice. Someday I may try out a newer computerized machine but for now I don't really see any need. Garment industry workrooms are not using any computerized, electronic, or plastic equipment so why should I?

Usually I pick a pattern and sew it until I know and understand everything about it and get the fit perfect. I end up with a pile of rejects and a deep understanding of construction details. Thankfully, the longer I sew the smaller the reject pile gets on new projects.

I've done swimwear, underwear, jeans, slacks, t-shirts and lots of button down shirts. I'm about to get into the dress shirts more, and after that, things like sweatshirts with zippers and hoods. I may even sew a suit at some point but don't have any place to wear one right now. I really like focusing on street wear clothes that everyday people wear everyday.

I have eclectic style and enjoy doing unique things. People expect the unexpected when I'm around.