Designer Maisie Moo offered up their patterns for a 40% Sale at the weekend and we wanted to follow up with a little bit of insight into their passion for felting.
Describe yourself in 3 sentences – name, age, location, hobbies and interests etc.
HI there, my name is Ria and I live in beautiful New Zealand. I am a lucky wife and mum to two beautiful girls, 4 & 8 who keep me super busy and provide me with loads of inspiration. I love my job designing sewing patterns and tutorials so others can experience the joy of creating with felt.
How did you find sewing as a passion and what was it that made you decide to become a pattern designer?
I started out as a maker. Maisie Moo was born 8 years ago when I decided to make Maisie’s (my eldest) own baby mobile. The business took off from there really, it because quite successful with a wait list up to 4 months at some times for my custom made baby mobiles and nursery décor. However over time I found that my passion for making was waning and decided to focus on the design aspect which I adored. I have been a full time designer now for 2 years and love all the wonderful feedback I receive from customers I have been able to inspire and help sew, sometimes for the first time.
Do you consider sewing and pattern design a hobby or is this your full time job? Are you lucky enough to be able to concentrate fully on sewing?
Maisie Moo is my full time job which works perfectly around being first and foremost a mum to my two girls. It is a flexible role which means. Our family just returned from a 4 week holiday to the UK and Thailand and I was still able to keep Maisie Moo running while away.
What’s the best sewing tip you can offer? How did you discover it?
In regard to working with felt… I always recommend using a good quality fabric, very sharp small scissors and most importantly take your time to enjoy what you are creating.
Who are your favorite pattern designers? What or who inspires you?
Wow there are so many talented designers out there…. I really enjoy pattern designers that shine with love for what they do. Rachel James from Fuzzy Fox Designs creates the loveliest cross stitch patterns and I so enjoy seeing her new designs pop up on my instagram
What’s the latest sewing project you’ve completed?
I am just working on a new group of patterns called Peek’A’Moos. Isla my youngest just loves anything with a pocket and anything tiny that fits inside. So I have just released a range of 4 wee animals that all fit snugly inside four unusual homes. They can all be switched about, so are fun to play with for kids. But great too as ornaments, quiet book templates, interactive baby mobiles… I just loved making them…. alongside my 4 year old adviser of course.
