I’m pleased to introduce Kay Whitt, author of Sew Serendipity: Fresh and Pretty Designs to Make and Wear (F+W Media).
Kay’s new book Sew Serendipity Bags is all about sewing purses and totes! For the last decade, she’s also designed and sold her sewing patterns through an online shop. She’s carved out a niche for herself in the design world by being true to her style. I love these Q&As because there is so much to learn from each other’s experiences.
Kay, I see that your first design at Serendipity Studio was released in 2001. How did you get started designing patterns?
I have sewn all of my life. My mom taught me to sew when I was a young girl and I have had needle in hand ever since then. We always manipulated commercial patterns to suit our needs as I was growing up, so I understood how pieces came together as a whole. It wasn’t long until I was dabbling on my own to create patterns, so I did this sort of thing informally throughout my youth.
I have a degree in education and spent the first nine years of my professional career as an elementary school teacher. While teaching school, I continued to create and sew, sometimes selling my creations to coworkers during the holidays. That was my springboard for jumping into pattern design when I was looking for a change in profession.
I talked with shop owners and showed them my work, asking if the type of sewing I did would make for a good pattern. With their support and enthusiasm, I started the company in the spring of 2001.
I also resigned from teaching that year to focus solely on the pattern business and creating designs. I began with appliqué driven design work and evolved into formal clothing drafting of pattern pieces in 2005 with the aid of some drafting software. I am living proof that you don’t have to have a degree in art or design to make the magic happen!
Can you tell us what we can expect to see in your book Sew Serendipity Bags?
Sew Serendipity Bags is just that . . . a book with 12 unique bag designs! I have included variations with some of the bags, so you are really getting 20 bags if you account for size and handle changes.
The book is split into three project sections: simple, intermediate, and challenging, so there is something for the beginner bag maker to a very experienced one. I also included my favorite techniques for bag making in a photographed section.
Just like in the first book, I have hand illustrated all of the construction steps in the instructions. The styled photography of the finished bags is just beautiful and I am so excited to share this new book with everyone!
How do you come up with inspiration for new patterns? Once you have an idea in mind, what are the steps involved in releasing a new pattern for your shop?
I am inspired by a lot of things. Sometimes it is a piece of fabric, sometimes an article of clothing seen on TV, the Internet, or in a magazine. I let my brain work on it for a while and eventually a design is born. This happens a lot at night when I would rather be sleeping, but my brain is ready for work! I usually start with a rough sketch, then begin drafting those pieces into my software so that I can work through a prototype in fabric until the design is how I want it. As with anything, some designs go easily and some require more work. I love working that part out until it matches the vision that I originally had for the design.
Speaking of the “business side” of your creative business, what do you find to be the greatest challenge? And, what’s the best part of running your own business?
The greatest challenge is to try and stay on top of everything at once! I still pretty much do it all myself, so between processing orders, thinking about new designs and working through those, talking with customers, visiting shops, and oh yeah….writing books, I stay pretty busy! The very best part of running my own business is that it is so flexible. I can move my schedule to suit my personal needs. I also love that the business’ direction is charted by my personal drive and instinct for design.
What is your number one tip for running a creative business?
The number one tip I have is to develop a unique style and do it well. It becomes a sort of signature for your work. People know my designs without having to look at the information on the pattern! It is always best not to try and “be” anyone else. Stay true to your own style and trust your instincts.
Giveaway!
Thanks Kay! We are excited to offer a copy of Kay’s new book, Sew Serendipity Bags, to one lucky winner! To enter, just leave a comment on this post about bags, totes or purses. What do you like? Winner will be announced Friday, Oct. 7. This giveaway is now closed.
83 comments
Oh dear!! I love bags, all bags. I totally have a bag addiction. Lately I’ve been addicted to especially clutches, but it would be very mean to exclude other bags! And my addiction have become worse since I’ve learned how to use my sewing machine and máke bags! Talk about feeding an addiction! Anyway.. I don’t feel like this is something I need to kick 😉 So that’s why I think this GiveAway is MEGA!
Esther.
I always carry the most awful black bag. I really need to step outside the box and carry something beautiful!
I love the bag! I can not live without them! I want to have a lot of bags.
I love creating bags for others but personally just carry my regular black purse that goes with everything.
I love that there are so many bag patterns out now! I’ve been on a hunt for the right ‘amusement park bag’ for a while and have yet to find it – maybe I just need to make it. Over the shoulder, light-weight, pouch for food, pouch for non-food, someplace to stash the map, camera, car keys…
I like medium sized purses with lots of ruffles and pockets that can hold a book but still look feminine. Yum! Excited to check out this book – would love to win it!
I am just learning how to sew and would love to make bags with ruffles for storing my kindle and sewing supplies (sticheries) for when I go to the kids’ sporting events, etc. I would LOVE to win this!
I love making bags! This new book looks wonderful.
What great looks in purses. My family all knows I love purses with a passion. Always switching them around. A couple of these just look real fun.
I am a huge purse/bag/tote girl. My coworkers are always commenting about my different bags and such. I love to make and buy them. Thanks for sharing this book – sounds wonderful.
I love the messenger style, and Kay’s version looks great. Not too big, not too small, and comfortable to wear.
I just love making bags, totes and purses! It’s a good thing I have three girls and a sister who enjoy me making them for them 🙂
I’m in the middle of making one of Kay’s dresses right now…I LOVE her designs! I’m planning on making a bag to match, as well…so this book would be amazing to have. Thanks for the chance to win one! 🙂
I can’t imagine a better combination than Kay Whitt’s designs and making bags… I love them both! Is it possible to have too many bags? I don’t think so!
Like most women I love bags! The bag on the front cover is fabulous!
I would love to win a copy of Kay’s new book!
I haven’t made many bags. I have a friend visiting who loves making bags and I am helping her make a new bag for my precious baby girl when she gets here. I can’t wait. I am hoping to start making more bags and other crafty type sewing soon. I guess bag making can be addicting. 😉
I love Kay’s patterns, and would love a copy of this book. What a wonderful giveaway. Totes are my favorite!
My grandkids love me to make them totes and bags. AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS TOO!
It’s difficult to find just the “right” bag, so being able to make your own is great! I love the patterns Kay Whitt creates, and can’t wait to see more! Thanks for offering this lovely giveaway!
I love purses and totebags. Kay’s patterns are great-looks like another wonderful book!
I love making bags because they’re fun projects that make wonderful gifts. I am excited about Kay’s new book – I have made a couple of her tunics (in the middle of Priscilla right now!) but have yet to do a bag. Looking forward to it as all of her patterns are so well written!
Bags, totes, purses… I love them all! Right now my goals are a zippered purse, and a tote/bag with leather handles… Mmm yeah!
I enjoy bags, but usually — not counting special occasions — carry the same one in the warmer months and a different one in cooler months. I’ve got about 3 bag patterns, with fabric chosen, to make up! I don’t care for zipper closures (okay on a divider pocket or side pocket) on my bags and do prefer a center divider. But if I ever get my organizer made, that center divider won’t be so important. LOL. Thanks for the contest!
I love bags! I love large over the shoulder kind just because I have so much stuff to carry!
I have a bag obsession. I like them medium to large with lots and lots of pockets. You can never have enough pockets. I love to make my own bags so I can customize them with… and a drum roll please… pockets! 🙂
I love fanny packs. I need to make a new one for me. I can’t wait to get Kay’s new book!
I am completely addicted to bags. I already have so many. I think, because I am in search of the perfect one. I love Kay’s designs… so excited about the new book. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love them all, but find the need for tote bags more often. I have only made one bag EVER…so I need to fix that! Kay’s designs are just what I need.
I’d love to win this book! I like to make bags that come together easily (with good instructions all the way through the pattern) and are stylish and functional.
I love making bags for presents! The only problem is then I feel like I should make something to put inside. 😀
I love to make zipper pouches because they are so quick and instantly gratifying, but occasionally I’ll make a more complicated bag. When I do, I really appreciate patterns with a lot of images and illustrations more than those that are wordy. I think the images convey so much more information for me faster than a paragraph of text ever could. That’s why I loved the last Sew Serendipity book. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Oh, I love all of Kay Whitt’s designs, an am looking forward to her new book about “Bags”. I just discovered her about a month ago on Sewing with Nancy and purchased the Skirts book right then. I am going to make some of the Skirts in the future. I love to just look at her designs as she uses the prettiest fabrics. The Skirts book is on my coffee table right now.
Got my copy in the mail. Now if only I can decide which to make first.Love them all. Kay is amazing!
I love the ruffled purse on the cover! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love all of Kay’s designs!!!! I have made several of her skirts and I would love to make her bags! I love making bags, and her bag patterns look like so much fun!
I loved that ruffled purse. I am working on camera bags with Kay’s pattern. They are turning out great.
I love to cut out material and the give a “Bag Kit” as a gift – saves me time, plus the person receiving it can enjoy making it.
I love bags,nearly all bags. I’ve just started making my own bags and would love to own this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
I love the ruffle-y bag on the cover and as a beginner would LOVE LOVE LOVE to learn to make that – STAT! 🙂
I love making my own bags! Thanks for the chance!
This could be the inspiration to make unique bags.
Ooh, I’m just getting into bags to make, but I usually stuff everything in my pockets, so my mum has become the recipient of a whole host of creations lol
I sew in love with your work, i make handbags wishing that s ome day I will have my own bussines, just like you, your desings are sew simmple and goerges at the same time you really are sew talented thumps up for you!!!!!!!******
I’m a big Kay Whitt fan, she is so talented! I just finished a bag that was from a big name pattern company, designed by Kay actually–and I get tons of compliments on it!
Kay’s work is so finished. She teaches you how to finish a project to a professional standard. I love her work!
I love Kay Whitt’s work. I would love to meet her in person! I have her other book so I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have this one! As good as everything else is from her, I can’t wait to see & try this one!
I adore purses and love bags! I would love to make some new styles. thanks for the lovely giveaway!
I love purses but they are so expensive. Would be nice to be able to make my own!
A good book with projects is what I need for inspiration to make my first purse. Thanks.
i really really really need a good pattern to make myself a new purse. i need one with lots of space for cards, up to 20 slots actually and a reasonable space for coins and a few places to stash other documents. if you have a pattern like this in the book then I NEED IT! thanks for the opportunity.
I have been sewing for years, but my newest and most fun thing to do is making bags. The possibilities are endless and the fabrics are SO fun. Kay Whitt has become a real inspiration to me with her unique, feminine style and colorful use of fabrics. I am still chicken to sew without a pattern though, so the new bag book looks very fun to me!
How do I start without saying I love? Can’t…I love Sew Serendipity. I saw this book at the LFS and almost picked it up then! Would love to have a copy. I think it would be so fun to have a bunch of friends over and an entire day of making bags! Great way to have a fabric/trim exchange! Is it bad to say pick me, please, pick me!!!!
I would love to win this book! I love bags, and I love all the different styles out there. I haven’t attempted it yet, but I’d love to make a messenger bag one of these days.
This may sound funny, but I love to make purses and bags, yet I own very few. I have ONE bag I made myself. All the others have been gifts or commissions. Sew Serendipity is right up my alley. I love taking a book like this and working my way through each project. Super fun! Thanks!
The bag patterns look great! I really need to take the risk and sew some bags instead of just totes!
Wondering if anyone other than me remembers making handbags out of oatmeal cartons?? I have made a few from cigar boxes in my time, too! I have been making a few small bags you can see on my blog.
I am needing some larger sized bags for my daughter and myself for various reasons. These look great!
Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
Kay’s work is beautiful, I would love to win her book!
I’d love to win!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
These bags look wonderful, can’t wait to get my hands on your book Kay!
I love making handbags, all shapes and sizes. THis looks like a great book, lots of inspiration!
I haven’t been sewing all that long, but I started with bags and have already made several different ones. I love making them, so I would love this book!
Thanks for spotlighting this designer/author. It’s always interesting to me to hear how someone took her creative leap.
There is pretty much nothing I dislike about bags! I love them all, all shapes, sizes colors everything! Even if I don’t win, I’ll so be buying this book!
Great giveaway! Please count me in! I love the bags!
What a great article! It is so inspiring to read how others have started creative businesses….makes it seem like a reachable dream. I have been creating bags for several years and love how they can make an outfit complete, and be functional and useful. Thank you for the giveaway….I would LOVE to win this book! My husband has been ill since late July, sometimes critically, and the few minutes I have to escape each day are spent at my sewing machine.
I love to make bags and totes for my mom. She loves them and they always make the perfect gift. Thanks for the opportunity to win!=)
I love little zippered pouches! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love making small bags – zippered clutches especially. But I need to make some bigger ones!
Bags are just too much fun. I have two on my have all the supplies, but just haven’t made yet list.
Hmm.. I like miniature bags or purses!! I’ve never tried a bigger bag like a tote, because cute little bags are so fun to make! 🙂
I love bags and seem to always need/want more. I look at every book, pattern and different websites for any type of inspiration. I would love to have a copy of this book as I love her Sew Serendipity book and pattern. Great ideas and sew simple. Keep up the great ideas Kay.
Love Kay’s style! I have several of her patterns and her other book! Would be delighted to add this one to my collection! 🙂 I love practical bags, but that ruffle one on the cover is so pretty is would def. be a must sew!
Thanks for the fun!
I’ve been making all the bags in Amy Butler’s Style Stitches this year. I’ve been surprised to find that I love some of the bags I thought I wouldn’t like, and it’s made me want to try everything I see. Sew Serendipity Bags is definitely on my wishlist. I can’t wait to try all of those too!
I love everything about totes. I can’t say enough about how much I like them; they’re stylish, very useful and I can make them.
Thanks for such lovely giveaway!
naslyyadid(at)gmail(dot)com
I keep trying to find the “perfect” bag. Perhaps it is in this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love to make bags of all kinds, for me and for gifts. Thanks for the giveaway.
I loves to make bags, tote, purse ,skirt .. Haha.. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Oh–I forgot to say that what I love about the new “bag” trend is that it provides another way for us to use gorgeous fabric.
What a great selection of bags – and they don’t look too complicated to make either!!
I just love the ruffle purse… that would be a great gift for my grand daughters
LOVE all bags..need more now that i have a pretten who likes to “borrow” mine!!
I love big bags . . . something I can stick everything in!