Amy Barickman - Inspired by the Past, Creating for the Future:

Sew & So...

Our guest today is Amy Barickman. Born in Michigan, raised in Iowa - Amy graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Fine Arts, only wishing it was with an emphasis in textiles versus glass blowing.

Always drawn to boutique fashion as well as upcycling and vintage, Vintage Made Modernhas been a theme of many of the books and patterns she produced over the more than 30 the years of product development with the brand she founded in 1990, Indygo Junction.

She is the author of the award-winning book; Vintage Notions: An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion and Fun.

Most recently her passion for vintage and upcycling, led her to create Treasured Threadz with her manufacturing and distribution partner Colonial Patterns. Her latest project, a gift book Love You to Piecesis a combination of her passion for collecting quilts and sharing handmade treasures along with the history behind them .

She is coming full circle with her new project - a book based on her collection of quilts and stuffed bears and dolls- she’ll also be introducing a collection of doll and bear patterns to companion the book - hoping to add machine embroidery and other products that will inspire the sewing and quilting community.

Additionally, she’s working with Colonial Patterns on a new line of embroidery products under ABC Amy Barickman Creative.

Amy currently spends most of the year in Kansas City, though she enjoys her family home in NW Michigan as well. Her husband is a sixth-grade teacher, and they have two kids who both have graduated college and are working in Kansas City.

(2:29) Amy’s mother taught her to sew and her grandmother also provided inspiration. She tells about her Girl Scout project…a wrapped skirt. Learn of her mom’s business and how that also influenced Amy.

(4:30) What business did Amy start in High School? And…how did her mom influence this?

(7:57) Supporting local businesses is so very important to Amy. She talks about why she feels this way and why it’s important.

(9:44) Why the fascination with vintage? Mom and Grandma had a lot to do with this. Hear about the photo with the matching gingham outfits!

(12:11) Amy talks about her brand-new line of embroidery products…she’s launching them soon!

(15:04) Amy is excited about the new makers in sewing. She explains why she feels this way and provides examples.

(17:46) How did Amy come up with the name of her first company, Indygo Junction?

(18:30) Why dies Amy consider herself a historian? Learn that here!

(21:00) Mary Brooks Picken is Amy’s muse. Amy tells us Mary’s story and why she’s had such a powerful influence on her.

(25:44) Hear about Mend and Make Do…the precursor to upcycling!

(27:30) What inspired Amy? Well, would you be surprised if she said Vintage?

(28:53) Amy shares the deep connection she has with the sewing community and how important all of this is to her.

(31;59) New book, landing page, launch party! Love You to Pieces is her new book! Amybarickman.com/loveyoutopieces

(33:50) What’s next for Amy? And of course, what’s her dream?!

(35:09) Anything we didn’t ask?

(35:42) How do you reach out to Amy? [email protected]. Also go to amybarickman.com for more info and to join her community.

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