{FAQ}

I am so humbled and honored and thankful that you are here, reading my blog.

Below are some FAQs — I try my very best to keep this page updated, so thank you for your patience. Please know that if you have a question not listed here you may email me. I’ll do my best to respond, but please understand I can’t reply to every email. There are just too many of you awesome people for this ruffly girl to keep up with :]

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED SEWING?
Shortly after Zack and I were married, in June 2008, Zack landed a new job in Detroit, so we moved to pursue that. In November of 2008 I decided I needed to learn how to sew, so I checked out 30 or so books from the local library and started to teach myself. You can read more of this incredible journey on my About Gussy page.

WHAT TIPS & SUGGESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR A NEW OR WANT-TO-BE SEWER?
I started sewing in November 2008 and one thing that keeps it interesting is I’m always learning something new. I believe ANYONE can learn how to sew — all it takes is determination, patience and an interest. I didn’t grow up with a sewing machine — I taught myself when I was 23-years-old. I love the book Bend-the-rules Sewing, but really I encourage you to find a book that teaches in a style that you learn best. Many recommend local sewing classes, but YouTube can be a great teacher, too :]

WHAT KIND OF SEWING MACHINE DO YOU USE?
We have two machines: a Kenmore 12 Stitch {model 1355080} and a Singer Confidence Stylist [click here to read the Singer review].

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOW-TO-SEW BOOK?
That’s easy — Bend-the-rules Sewing.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FABRIC DESIGNERS?
Robbert Kaufman, Michael Miller, Ty Pennington, Heather Bailey.

WHERE DO YOU PURCHASE YOUR SEWING SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS?
I have been advised to not disclose this information. Local sewing/quilt shops can be super fun for inspiration, but there are also wonderful fabric websites, like Hawthorne Threads, that can be helpful to you. I’m flattered that you asked, and thanks in advance for understanding.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU STAY ORGANIZED AND KEEP YOUR BUSINESS SO SUCCESSFUL?
The best advice I have on this topic is to work in a manner that is most-productive for you. For me, this means making to-do lists, setting goals, giving myself a small reward when I accomplish my goals, keeping my calendar up-to-date, etc. I know right now there are a lot of great electronic/online organizers, but those don’t work for me. Give me a piece of paper and a pen, please! I’ve written a few blog/biz 411 posts, which are full of tips. Check ‘em out!

Zack, my husband, is a HUGE help to the success of Gussy Sews through advice and encouragement. I’m certain I wouldn’t be this successful without his help :] I definitely recommend having a support system to bounce ideas off and to encourage you a long the way.

And for everything else business related, I think having a dream and setting goals is the best way to succeed. You can learn anything you want to, which can be soooo freeing and inspiring ♥.

DO YOU HAVE HELP?
The Gussy brand has grown so much and so quickly that I have had to hire a small team to help me keep up with everything. Currently I have 3 assistants, two amazing gals that help me keep up with the orders/production and a business assistant to help me with various business/blog projects.

ARE YOU HIRING?
Not right now :]

WHERE DO YOU PRODUCE YOUR PRODUCT?
Everything is handmade/machine-sewn by the Gussy Sews team in my home studio, which is located in Minneapolis, MN.

WHAT IS THE GUSSY SEWS INSPIRATION WORKSHOP!?
The Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop! is a weekly linky party to encourage and inspire each other. Each week I will send out an “inspiration prompt” for you to work around. Using that prompt, snap a photo {it can be with a fancy camera or your cell phone camera} or grab one from another online source {please give proper photo credit} – the content is how you interpret the prompt. Create a post on your blog the day of the linky party. Then come back to Gussy Sews and link your post with mine. While you are here be sure to check out other participants entries and leave encouraging comments.

Sound like fun? Want to participate? Click here for more details and to subscribe for the weekly inspiration prompt email.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?
Ohhh, sneaky, sneaky you. I’m 25 — my birthday is July 5.

DID YOU GO TO COLLEGE? WHAT DID YOU STUDY?
I sure did! That’s where Zack and I met, actually :] We both graduated from Central Michigan University. I have a dual major in Art {2D concentration in photography} and Journalism {news editorial concentration}. At the time, my dream job was to work for a magazine. Now my dream job is doing exactly what I’m doing now :] God is pretty amazing.

WHAT KIND OF DOG IS BAUER? HOW OLD IS HE?
Awwe ~ my precious Bauer. Bauer is an Australian Cattle Dog + Terrier mix, born on July 10, 2010. We adopted him from a rescue shelter here in Minnesota.

WHERE CAN I FIND YOUR PRODUCT TO PURCHASE?
At this time, my product is only available in my online shop. Feel free to contact me with questions if you are a retailer looking to place a wholesale order.

I’D LIKE TO PLACE A CUSTOM ORDER. HOW CAN I DO THAT?
At this time I am not accepting custom orders {thank you for understanding}.

HOW DO I BECOME A BLOG SPONSOR?
Yeow! Please click here for more info ♥ I offer 30- and 90-day packages, and sponsorships begin on the 1st and 15th of every month.

I WANT TO BE FEATURED AND/OR SPONSOR A GIVEAWAY ON YOUR BLOG. HOW DO I MAKE THIS HAPPEN?
If you’d like us to consider your shop for a giveaway, please click here. A few times a month I’ll be offering sponsored giveaways, and while they are paid I’m proud to only be working with shops that reflect the Gussy Sews style :]

BUT I SEE FEATURED ARTIST POSTS… ARE THEY BLOG SPONSORS, TOO?
No. A Featured Artist post is something unique that I’ve incorporated into my blog post content. I strongly believe in supporting my peers and the handmade world, which is another reason for FA posts. All FA posts are shop owners that I look up to, and I hand-select them. No one can purchase or request a FA slot. If you’re interested in promoting your shop on Gussy Sews, please contact me about sponsorship.

*My sewing business has grown immensely due to the kindness of the handmade community and I am honored to return the favor.