Ama F stays busy making. She knits, sews, quilts, embroiders and recently taken up needlepoint. Always with a project nearby, both at home and on her commute.
You knit, sew garments, quilt, do counted cross stitch and have gorgeous nails! Which came first?
My crafting journey is a bit of a funny one! I started at a really young age wanting to make clothes and homeware for my dolls. I started hand sewing using my mother’s fabric scraps. Then I didn’t craft for years until I CEGEP (it’s a cross between grade 12 and the first year of college for the people not from Quebec). I had what I want to say is a 7 hour break in my schedule and I begged my friend to teach me how to knit.
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I then started quilting during lockdown 2020, after two days of knitting and watching shows I needed something to keep my mind busy. I dusted off the domestic sewing machine I got on a whim and started quilting until I broke that machine. The rest is history!
What inspires you to create?
The media I consume! Sometimes a song will inspire me, a particular game or I’ll see something in a show that I just have to make. I will take the necessary steps to then make that idea a reality.
What do you do to develop your skills? How do you get better at what you do?
I love using new projects as a way to learn! Once I find the project idea I will find the resources to help me complete the project.
My new rabbit hole is needlepoint. I’ve purchased some books to help me learn as well as watch video tutorials for anything I don’t fully understand from the written materials. I won’t say practice makes perfect because perfection is a bit overrated but practice makes better! Haha!
When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?
Can I call myself an improvising planner? I’ll try to plan projects ahead of time but I will make the most inspiring project first or cast all plans aside for the “shiny” new thing.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I love a good WIP! I always have multiple projects on the go as I have a personal motto is “Always be crafting” I try to have projects I can do at home and on my commute.
How do you manage your creative time? Do you schedule start and stop times? Or work only when inspired?
I try to only work when inspired which can sometimes be to my detriment. I definitely sewn into the night to make a deadline once or twice before.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
I do! It’s a bit of a catch all space I craft in here, I play computer games in here, it’s my home office and it’s a guest bedroom. I am very grateful to have my own space though!
What is your favorite tip for organizing your stash of creative supplies?
It’s not the best tip but I try to have my supplies out in the open as much as possible. (There is an industrial amount of cedar in my yarn and fabric collection.) I need to see my collection/ the stuff I have or I forget about it. That and all the fun colours bring me joy!
Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?
I cannot live without my Ipad! It stores all of my patterns, I will sometimes mock up projects in procreate too can’t live without it.
What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?
What is not playing in the background when I’m working! I like a little bit of chaos as I cannot work in silence. I’ll often be watching tennis and listening to music which is my go to combo. I’ll also be listening to livestreams or podcasts as craft.
What kinds of creative projects are your favorites?
Colourful projects! The more colours the better. They just bring me the most joy.
Do you think that creativity is part of human nature or is it something that must be nurtured and learned?
I think creativity can definitely be nurtured and learned. I used to think I wasn’t a creative person but in high school and in CEGEP I hung out with a lot of creative people which inspired me to find my “own thing”.
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Interview posted March 2023.
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