Designer Tayma Martins has been working with Sewing Room instructor, Christine Knobel for the last while. Christine and I are really impressed with her drive and work ethic and have both fallen in love with the nostalgic chic of her fashion collection. We hope you enjoy this interview with this budding designer:

When did you start sewing/how long have you been sewing?

I began learning to sew in 2018. I took a pillow making class to begin with but practiced only a handful of times after that up until beginning to take private lessons at the Sewing Room with Christine. Since my very first sewing lesson with Christine, sewing began to take over my life! I practiced every single day for hours on end to make sure I mastered the concepts I was being taught before my next sewing lesson (most weeks I only had a day in between). It was really important to me to learn and make progress at a good pace. I went from not even knowing how to sew a mask to sewing a full dress with princess seams, gathers, and a zipper in only a few weeks. I’m truly so grateful for Christine; I feel because she was confident in my ability to learn, it helped me feel confident and optimistic throughout the process of learning. 

Why did you want to learn how to sew?

I’d gotten to a point with my clothing line where I realized how big of an asset it would be if I was able to sew my own dresses. I realized it would help me have more options, like being able to make my own samples.

What is your favorite part about sewing/the clothing making process (design, pattern, sewing, fabric etc.)?

My favorite part is definitely design. I also love sourcing my materials, especially the lace. I work with a floral artist to design my own floral prints which is something I’d been dreaming of my whole life. While sewing my dresses, I loved the part of making the gathers and watching the fabric ruffle. It always looks so pretty, especially with my floral fabrics!

What are some of your challenges?

Keeping up as my business begins to scale has been somewhat of a challenge, but one I’m taking in stride. Also the unpredictability of starting from scratch, as it’s more challenging to prepare when you aren’t sure what exactly to prepare for. It’s something where you must have Plan A, B, C, and D. I’m a very methodical person, and I tend to soothe my anxiety by planning out as much as possible in advance. With a start-up business, there are a lot of unknowns and changes in plan. Learning to balance my anxiety and not let things overwhelm me has definitely been a challenge. Something I’ve found to be helpful (and healthy!) is turning off notifications after a certain time of night so that I can relax and have a mental break from working on my business. Up until a few months ago, I would be answering emails/messages at any time of day or night. If I happened to wake up in the middle of the night, I’d be checking my email and sending correspondence from my bed at 3AM. Now I set boundaries for myself to prioritize a work/life balance, and that feels much healthier for me and less overwhelming.

What are your #sewinggoals and/or ambitions?

My ultimate sewing goal is to completely master being able to sew my dresses. I’m almost there!

Christine told me you are designing your own clothing collection.  Please tell us a little more about the collection, your inspiration and any big triumphs you've had lately?

I design 1970s inspired prairie dresses featuring ultra feminine colors, floral prints, and pretty details. My size range offers XS through 3X, and I use only high quality materials such as 100% cotton and 100% silk. Vintage has always inspired me, so I pull inspiration from beautiful vintage pieces I have collected over the years. Aesthetically and photography-wise, I am heavily inspired by Sofia Coppola’s directorial work. I grew up in a rural countryside area in Central Valley, so that influences the type of visual aesthetic I tend to gravitate towards as well. 

Lately life with my business feels like it’s moving a million miles a minute, and there are so many opportunities I’m juggling. I feel very blessed and it means the world to me to be receiving support from people all around the world!

You can find out more about Tayma and her collection by visiting her website: tayma-martins.com

If you or someone you know are considering producing your own line of clothing or want to learn the ins and outs of designing a collection, we have a special program just for you! Our Fashion Studies Program starts in the fall. We teach Design, Illustration, Collection creation, Fashion Sewing and Pattern Making. 2,3 & 4 course options / Online & In Person.

Until Next Time! Happy Fashion!

xo

Jennifer