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- About the Artist
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Birdy
Hello! I'm Birdy from www.guttersgoods.com. I currently live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have a wonderful dog named Gutter, who runs this website. He's a great boss! I spend much of my time working for my brother in his metal shop and the rest of my time I spend sewing. I love road trips and music and movies and watching people drink and running and writing music and poetry... There's a good idea of who I am. Feel free to ask any questions!
Anyway, When I was 20, I was inspired to start making patchwork clothing after years of seeing other people's beautiful work at shows. It has been said to me before that I make things for specific people, whether or not I know who the piece goes to. I hear it over and over again! Each piece of clothing is a work of art in itself ~ an expression of myself and my connection to all that is. I often imagine myself opening a little white box that I just got in the mail and how I would feel to hold a brand new piece of one of a kind clothing. It brings me so much joy to know that I can put smiles on people's faces! I have so many ideas that still have to come into physical existence ~ and I cannot wait to make them!!!
Process
Just a little note about the quality of my patchwork ~
First, I buy the highest quality fabrics I can. Then I wash and dry each piece so all of the fabric is preshrunk. I am trying to add more hemp and organic cotton into my diet as I can afford.
All of my seams are stitched using a four thread White Superlock 734D (my trusty tank) serger stitch. I may add additional top stitching on nearly all of my work, just to make sure that all of the seams look clean and to add a little bit more durability. On some fabrics that fray easily, such as corduroy, I serge and then add an extra straight stitch to make sure that all of the seams are nice and strong.
Additionally, I use rivets on some pants pockets and hoodie pockets to make sure that they never have a chance to fall off (Sometimes, no matter how secure the stitching is, a pocket might fall subject to abuse and be more likely to die before it's time).
All of my appliques are first heat bonded to the article of clothing, then I use a very tight satin stitch to permanently hold the fabrics together. Then, when all of that is done, I pull all of the extra threads through to the back and tie them. That way there is not a single thread that frays. *Lots of people ask me if I use a programmable embroidery machine for my appliques. I do not! I just use my Viking/Husqvarna Freesia sewing machine that I got about 3 years ago.
I do all of these things to make high quality, long lasting clothing that you can wear for many, many years. Of course, the more you wear and wash anything, the faster it will wear out. The only thing you can really do to extend the life of any piece of clothing is to wash it by hand and hang it dry. I'm not saying that machine washing and drying is bad, it's just less desirable.
So, with that said, I'd just like to let you know that I take my time to make sure that every piece of patchwork is of superior quality. I hope that you enjoy wearing it as much as I enjoy making it.
- About the Artist
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Tyler
I don't exactly have a 'process'. I make websites. I use notepad and/or Dreamweaver depending on how I feel.
Process
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners, and ... ohh wait... thats Miss October '89's description, nevermind. In actuality, I am an Information Technology professional currently working for United Health Group. I make websites on the side for fun. If you want me to make you a website, send me an email through the Contact page. I am not a professional web developer by any means, but that means I don't charge as much as one either. Anyways, enjoy your time here at Guttersgoods.com, or Birdy will beat me again.
- About the Artist
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Matt
"Straight up I'll tell you I don't particularly enjoy having all eyes on me. But I must admit it's a true pleasure to soak up some of my lil' sis' well-deserved limelight. A very special thank you to all of my fans, and needless to say: the Almighty, without whom we wouldn't be sharing this precious moment here today." -- Excerpt from his acceptance speech at the recent A.P.O.O.W.* Awards ceremony.
Having recently completed and released his newest work "Web Page Banner Four Hundred and Three", a.k.a. "Gutter'sGoodsBanner.GIF", Matt sat down with us to discuss just how he does what he does:
Interview Magazine: So very nice to finally meet you! Matt Ruch: Likewise! IM: Where do you find yourself going now, at the very apex of your career? MR: Well, you know, I don't really consider myself at any sort of plateau at all -- more like a transition. Change is a constant for me, and I never know who's couch I'll be crashing on next. It's an adrenaline rush that keeps me going. Would you like a houseguest for a week? My assistant Marco makes fabulous frittatas.(doting laughter and head nods from Matt's entourage) IM: So I've heard. And word is you know your way around the kitchen as well. MR: A home's hearth is much like my studio: ingredients and tools willing to accept what I have in store for them. I once noted to my adorable sister that what we do is very similar. Taking familiar "things", pulling them apart, and then reassembling them in a new and engaging way. IM: I'm afraid our time is up, Matt. And like much of what you touch, this interview's direction is questionable. It was a pleasure chatting with you. MR: The pleasure is all ours (winks and flips hand toward Marco). Happy Christmas! -- (Air kisses all around).
His ingredients: Red, green, blue
His tools: Rock, paper, scissors
His alibi: "Sorry, I was spacing out there for a moment."
His true love: Giving pleasure to the people.
To learn more about Matt and his work, visit www.matt.ruch.com. As with many a hard worker, he admits his site suffers from "cobbler's children have no shoes" syndrome. But Matt promises a fabulous redoux of his current site in the coming weeks. So check it out religiously. "Mush, Marco, mush!"
* Artistic Presence Out Of Work Awards
Process
See Above
- About the Artist
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Kris
Hi! My name is Kris and I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have been sewing for about five years and have been selling my goods for three years. I have a wonderful nine month old son named Tauran who is the light of my life! I'm a stay at home mommy and I love to be able spend all day with him while I sew. When I am not tending to Tauran I also enjoy all kinds of art, dancing, music, vegetarian cooking camping and spinning fire.
Process
I use a singer four thread serger to serge all of my seams and then top stitch them for durability so they have a nice long life.
- About the Artist
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Marcelia Fairbanks
My name is Marcelia Fairbanks. I live around Champaign Illinois with my husband,2 beautiful girls, and our happy golden retriever Alex.
I'm blessed to be a stay at home homeschooling mom.
Also to enjoy learning new ways to make our lives a happier and healthier life by me staying at home.
I thank Birdy for allowing me to be apart of her website to share the wonderful items that goes up for all you kind folks.
Be blessed and thank you for shopping at Gutters Goods.
Process
I love colors and texture of fabrics.So I always try to get good quality that makes me feel excited about the art piece that's about to come alive. The fabric will be pre-washed and dried to prevent further shrinkage. I use a Brother sewing machine and Singer ultralock serger.
You will find my items serged,sometimes straight stitched,almost always top stitched,from a smoke free home, and dog is not in my workshop area.(If you have allergies he does stay inside home)
I love to see my stuff last!
I know you will enjoy these clothes as much as I do making them.
- About the Artist
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M2
Glass artist from the Minneapolis area ~ more info coming soon...
Process
Artist info coming soon...
- About the Artist
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Gina
More info coming soon!
Process
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