Today we meet Vaune Pierce

Vaune will be teaching at the SAGA National Convention in Hampton, Virginia (20-25 September 2016)  and I can't believe I have never 'interviewed' her for SAGA before!

So, here are Vaune's answers to my questions. Thank you Vaune for answering them all!

1.      Who taught you needlework skills and when did you first start learning?

For VERY basic embroidery – self-taught with Simplicity embroidery transfers onto a chambray shirt (this was in the 70's).
 'Heirloom Embroidery' - the first class I took was Bullions from Julia Golson and made lots of nice grubby worms.  The embroideresses in Madeira on the 2 times I visited, along with Lillie McAnge were instrumental in the embroidery that I do now.

2.      What is your favourite form of embroidery?
Madeira Embroidery and Whitework.  My favorite stitch is the Point de Paris, or pinstitch (hand).  I could so that forever - I find it very relaxing.

3.      When do you find time to embroider/sew?
I thought I would have more time now that we are empty nesters.... but that has not seemed to be the case.  Even though I love to stitch and sew, I have to make sure I prioritize and make time to do them.

4.      What inspires your designs?

A fabric, a color, a shape. 

5.      Do you attend classes and workshops as well as teach at them?
Yes.  My motto is that I can ALWAYS learn something, even if it is that I don't care to do it that particular way.  If I learn one little tip that I will use often, it is worth the price of admission. I am taking a Whitework class from Jenny Adin-Christie through the Royal School of Needlework in May, at Williamsburg.  I am so excited!

6.      On average, how long would you say it takes for you to complete a piece, from design concept to end?

It depends on whether or not I am on a deadline :)

7.      Do you belong to a sewing guild of any kind?
Yes, I belong to the American Sewing Guild (I teach for them at their national convention as well).  I have found that not only do I learn a different approach to certain things, I also share my approach with classic sewers (and have made a few converts!).

8.      Do you smock?

Yes, that is how I was introduced to SAGA

9.      Where is your favourite place to stitch?
In my easy chair in my bedroom with my Stella lamp, preferably when it is raining.  Since that rarely happens in California, my dream spot would be on a covered porch in the rain.

10.  Are you married? Children? Pets?

I have been married to my husband, John, for 30 years, come this December.  We have 4 children:  2 live in California, and 2 live in the Boston area.  None of them are married, so no grandkids.....yet.

11.  What is your most favourite sewing tool?

            An awl with a Mother of Pearl handle that Cindy Foose gave me years ago.  I use

            when I make eyelets.

12.  What sewing tool do you carry everywhere and why?

A 6 inch ruler and a pair of small embroidery scissors.  Because you never know when you are going to need them.  The craziest place that I had to make use of them (the scissors) was when I was boating on Shaver Lake with some girl friends.  We had stopped the boat near the beach and spent the afternoon chatting and (of course) eating.  When it was time to leave, we realized that the anchor rope got caught in the propeller and we had to go underwater and cut the rope a little bit at a time so we could free the propeller to get home.

13.  What other hobbies/interests do you have?

            Reading, collecting antique and vintage embroidery books and baby clothing.

14.  How often do you travel to teach?

4-5 times a year.

15.  Have you a favourite location where you most enjoy teaching?

I love travelling and meeting new people, so anywhere!  I will say that as long as I have girls in the Boston area, I like the Northeast, is it gives me a chance to visit them.

16.  Where can we get to see your projects (magazines, stores etc.)?
I am doing an article for the Sept./Oct. Issue of Threads and the Fall issue of Classic Sewing Magazine.

17.  What do you do with your completed projects-frame and keep, give away, etc.?

Every once in a while I will donate one to a school auction fundraiser, but mostly I keep them for either class samples or Grammy's Hope Chest.

18.  Do you have a favourite colour(s) that you tend to use more than others?

I love pink, but try not to use it too much.  I am also a fan of the classic white garments.  It really depends on what the outfit is for.

19.  Have you had another type of career other than in the sewing area?
I have a degree in Engineering/Physics and worked at Texas Instruments as a Quality Assurance Engineer for the Defense Division, before I had kids (and before I learned how to do any of this).  Currently, I am a substitute teacher at a neighborhood school, which I love.

20.  How do you see the future of your sewing career?

I can see myself continuing to sew, stitch, and teach, as long as I am able to do so.  I am so grateful to be able to do this.  I have met so many incredible women and been to so many wonderful places.  I really feel blessed to be able to do this.

21.  What do you do to recharge your creative spark?

I pet my fabric, look at my list of design ideas, go fabric shopping (not necessarily buying), and look through fashion magazines.

22.  What technique still can’t you get the hang of…….. ?

I would not necessarily say I don't get the hang of it, but the feather stitch is the one stitch that I have to do some practice stitches first, and if I am going to hemstitch around a hem, I do it all at one time so I keep my rhythm.  I settle on the couch with my threads, water bottle, and scissors and then either watch a movie or listen to a book on tape.

23.  What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Life wise - raising 4 great kids who love life and are kind and giving.

Stitching wise - being able to teach others how to do that stitch or technique that they have had problems mastering.  I love seeing the light bulbs go off!

24.  What is the biggest enemy to your creativity?

My biggest enemy to my creativity is not having enough time, as I am sure we all can relate!  When I am designing something, I usually have the basic idea at the beginning, but as I work on it, my best creative work comes as I am sleeping.  The ideas that I get when I am sleeping are what make my designs go from good to great, at least in my eyes.