January 2O21 Spotlight Member
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We’ve made it to 2021 and to get things started I want to scream and shout my appreciation for this sewing community. You have blessed me in ways you will never fully comprehend and for that I say, thank you.
I can’t imagine a better way to start this year off than by introducing you to another sew sister from our Private Email Community. Make yourself comfortable and meet Eras Paris.
Eras began her sewing journey in 6th Grade Home Economics class where she made her first project–a pillow. While Home Economics became her favorite class, it just wasn’t enough for Eras, so she begged her mom to take her to sewing classes. She joined 4H and her mom also found a sewing instructor for her. Eras said she loved being creative and sewing was the perfect fit for her.
Eras continued sewing through High School but when she started college and saw that it wasn’t popular, she stoped sewing for many years. Then around 1999/2000 she began quilting and absolutely loved it. But once again, she stopped sewing and allowed her machine to sit in the closet for twenty years as she became busy with her family and career.
It was during the 2020 pandemic that Eras pulled her machine out and started sewing again. She needed something to help decrease her stress and pass the time while being quarantined.
For years Eras sewed on the Bernette 80E by Bernina. She recently purchased two new machines, the Baby Lock Jubilant and Baby Lock Vibrant (which is still in the box). A woman after my own heart. I love me some Baby Locks. Eras hopes to start using her serger very soon. She was always intimidated by sergers but one of her goals for 2021 is to conquer this fear.
She’s already started diving in on my YouTube Series on the Baby Lock Vibrant and I can’t wait to see what she creates.
When asked about her greatest sewing challenge, Eras said it’s a coat she just finished in December 2020. She had to insert a blind hem stitch and buttonholes. Eras says that she enjoyed the challenge of making her first coat. I think she did an amazing job.
Eras describes her fashion style as a mixed plate of casual, chic, bohemian chic, resort style–and more recently–Ankara fashion. Well, I’d say Eras is quite the well rounded fashionista.
Take a look at these amazing pajamas she made herself for Christmas as part of the Sew Your View Challenge on Instagram. They used the Pine Cove Pajama pattern by Itch to Stitch and flannel fabric from Joann Fabrics. Check the matching booties! Oh my goodness! She purchased the pattern for those at peek-a-boo pages.
When she’s not sewing, Eras enjoys scrapbooking, and spending time near the ocean and hiking. She’s been scrapbooking for over 20 years and currently does digital scrapbooking on her phone.
Two things Eras can NOT live without are traveling and the beach. Being an ex-military wife, she has traveled and lived many places. Her absolute favorite location is Hawaii because she raised her sons there and she loves the culture.
While in Hawaii she would go to the beach alone for quiet time and reflection. There were also times when she would be accompanied by friends and family at the beach or on a hike.
Eras discovered Anita by Design through a Yahoo Group which directed her to the YouTube channel. She says she appreciates the style, easy-to-follow, step-by-step sewing instructions and how Anita shares her struggles and faith. She became hooked on the channel.
With all the challenges that we faced last year, Eras says that the best thing she learned from 2020 is to “enjoy every season.” Her current season of life isn’t where she expected to be but she decided to try to persevere through the ups and downs of life.
Eras would like to close this post with a word of encouragement to those who are new to sewing. Her advice: “DO IT! Don’t stop! Keep trying and challenge yourself. It’s such a great skill.”
Eras, it has been my pleasure getting to know you. Thank you for accepting the invitation to be our 2021 January Spotlight Member. I am so happy to have you in my community and really look forward to following your sewing journey. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
If you are on Instagram and want to follow Eras and her sewing journey, you will find her at @sewing_andmore. Throughout the month of January, I will be highlighting her in my IG stories.
Please give Eras a SHOUT OUT in the comments section below. She is doing a great job and I would love for us to celebrate her.
Thanks for stopping by,
Remember: When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES!
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This Post Has 66 Comments
Hey Eras!! I am delighted to meet you!! I have checked out your creations on Instagram and followed you there!! I cannot WAIT to see what more you do in the future!!
Hey!! I am delighted to meet you!! I have checked out your creations on Instagram and followed you there!! I cannot WAIT to see what more you do in the future!!
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Dear Anita and Sewing Community:
Hello, I am not a member of Anita’s sewing community and I came across her YouTube videos in December and decided to try sewing a Robe for my daughter and myself for Christmas. I still need to finish the hem of the bottom of the robe and the sleeves. I stopped and went back to work. I was on Anitas website and I saw that she highlighted Eras. I think Eras has done a beautiful job with posing in her ware that she made! She has a beautiful smile and is very photogenic! Way to go Eras, you have inspired me to finish my project! I only have one robe made and now it’s time for the other. Thank you Anita for sharing Eras beautiful photos with us!
Hi V’illa! Thank you so much for visiting with us today. I’m so glad you found the tutorial to make your robe. I appreciate you for celebrating Eras with us. Have a great weekend.
Such a lovely reminder that we are not alone in our sewing aspirations. Not too early to start back up again. And thank you Anita for sharing your testimony, Faith and overcoming! Just what I needed to hear. Your blog and videos rekindle my spiritual fire. Many Blessings.
This really blesses my heart, Sandra. Thank you and blessings to you also.
I love the Sweater and hat very beautiful I also love the spotlight on our January so her she’s fabulous I love all of her outfits that she has made continue blessings to her
Thank you so much, Stephanie!
Hey Lynette! Thank you for celebrating Eras with us.
Happy New Year everyone. I love you 2021 new sweater project. The style looks incredible on you and the sweater hat tops it all! Have a great new year and many blessings to come.
Thank you, Janice!
Eras, I enjoyed reading your journey and seeing you creations. You are truly an inspiration. Keep going forward and don’t stop.
Hi Arletha! Thank you for celebrating Eras with us.
Hi! I am new to this community. Eras, your creations are lovely and I was delighted to read your sewing journey. So many similarities to my own.
Welcome to the community, Judy! Thank you so much for celebrating Eras with us.
Hello Eras. You are amazing: how your sewing journey ebbed and flowed and came full circle to give you comfort. I cannot imagine making a coat! You have courage. The PJs and booties say it all for 2020! And to end with the amazing red dress sets the tone for 2021. Take care.
I agree, Marie! She has done such an amazing job. Thank you for celebrating our sew sister.
Happy New Year! and so glad to meet you Eras!
Happy New Year, Gwendolyn!
Nice to meet you young lady. Love that gray jacket. You are doing a great job!! Keep up the good works.
Hi Sheila! Thank you so much for celebrating our sew sister.
Very nice feature and beautiful pieces, your PJs are flawless!
My goals for 2021 are to take my brand new sewing machine out of the box and learn to make a skirt. (Baby steps)
You’ve got this, Davida! I’m rooting for you. Thank you for celebrating Eras with us.
Get that serger going! So much fun. I can make masks with a serger and Coverstitch machines only. They look great. Keep sewing.
Wow! Eras is doing such a great job on her sewing! Love the PJ’s with the matching booties! Her smile and her makes pictured here has inspired me to keep sewing garments for myself. You go Eras!
So thrilled you came back to sewing, its in your soul. Nice to meet a fellow military spouse. I see a lot of fun on your face, those slippers are sweet!
Thank you for celebrating Eras with us today, Cynthia. Yeah, I think it’s in her soul too.
Great meeting you, Eras! I concur with your advice, “Do it… challenge yourself”. Great advice. BTW, I LOVE those peek-a-boo slippers!!!
Hi Alethia! Thank you so much for coming over to celebrate Eras with us.
Eras,
Thanks for sharing your story; without a doubt, your outfits reflect the joy you get from creating. Your advice statement: “DO IT! Don’t stop! Keep trying and challenge yourself. It’s such a great skill” is perfect for sewists during this pandemic. Happy sewing!!
I totally agree, Delois! Thank you for celebrating our sew sister with us today.
Wow, Eras! I love reading about your sewing journey, and seeing your lovely creations. I love that red dress with the black and white accent. So fun! I hope you’ll take the leap and inbox your serger. Once you get familiar with it, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. Happy sewing!
Yes, Adrienne, she’s gonna fall in love with that serger. Thank you for celebrating our sew sister today.
I enjoyed reading about Eras journey back to sewing. Love all of your creations…..especially the coat!
Thank you for celebrating Eras with us today, Camille.
Eras, wow, you have done a lot considering you have been away for a few years! I can relate, and am just getting back into making garments for myself. I like the red Mood dress the best, and it looks great on you. BTW, I just discovered the Mood website this week, and put in an order! I can’t wait to visit in person! God Bless You and keep sewing!
Thank you for celebrating Eras today. Have fun with all your Mood fabric.
I absolutely love the red dress with black and white strip of fabric it is gorgeous, and the “Jammies” look so soft, warm and comfortable. imagine having footies that match all your jammies. I can see the love and enjoyment you have for the craft and you inspire and encourage me
Thank you Eras
Vanessa, I’m in love with her jammies. Those booties just topped it off so nicely. Thank you for celebrating Eras today.
Wow, Eras!!!
Thank you for sharing your story! I am loving what you’ve done thus far on your sewing journey and I’m super excited to experience what’s to come. When I discovered Anita, I too latched onto her via YouTube. She has been such a blessing to me!! I too am intimidated by the serger and I am working to conquer that fear. The 2020 shananigans elevated me and so many others to another level and I have no plans to look back! Your story is very inspiring and I look forward to seeing you within your journey.
Heeeyyy Shannon! I’m so excited to see my past Spotlight Members showing up to encourage Eras today. Thank you so much for being here. We all are so blessed to have each other in the sewing community.
Good afternoon Eras! Like you I began sewing in public school but in 9th grade, didn’t go back until after college. I started working and had to stop until 2018. I appreciate your “push ” back into sewing. I am motivated to “push” my way back to my sewing table also. In 2021 I will challenge myself to do more projects and stick with it and not quit. CONGRATULATIONS ERAS!!
Wow, you two really do have similar stories. I’m so excited to hear that Eras has motivated you to get back into sewing. Thank you for coming to celebrate our sew sister today.
Welcome Eras! You have a great sewing story and I loved reading about your journey. Loved the Mood Fabrics pic! Isn’t it overwhelming when you go? The first time I was there I was completely overwhelmed and didn’t know what to get. The second time I had a plan in place. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the red Citrus dress and it looks beautiful on you. You were made for bright colors. May the Lord bless you with a year of challenges and victories!
Heeeeyyy Patricia! Thank you for supporting and celebrating our sew sister, Eras. I totally relate to the overwhelm in some fabric stores. Must have a plan. LOL!
Omgosh, Eras doing an Awesome, those pajamas ?if this is her start up , stand back because she’s got Talent.
Olivia, that’s what I’m saying! This lady is shinning so brightly. I love it. Thank you for celebrating Eras with us today.
Yasss I love this! Eras, you are doing a WONDERFUL JOB!! I’m enjoying watching your journey on IG
Yeeesss, Jamara! Isn’t she just a joy to follow? Thanks for coming over to celebrate our sister today.
Wonderful woman with such talent. I just love that red dress as it is just stunning on her. So great to learn about wonderful people you might never meet in life. Thanks Anita. Oh she has a great smile just like yours.
Cris, I feel the same way. I absolutely love meeting and getting to learn about the sewing journeys of other sewists in our community. Thank you for celebrating Eras today.
Eras,
Your story is so encouraging! I love all of your makes! It encourages me to continue to stretch my skills and try things I have never tried before. I love the thought of making a coat. I believe I am going to make this a 2021 goal. I am so excited about finding this community and all of the resources and accomplishments. I have learned so much and also realize that I have much more to learn.
Hi Mayrie! I love hearing about how we encourage and inspire each other in this community and I’m so glad you’re here. Thank you so much for celebrating our sew sister today.
Hello Eras!!
So glad you’re here!
Great sews! I can’t pick a favourite (canadian spelling lol) they all look good!
Hi Brenda! Yes, all her makes are so beautiful! Thank you for being here to celebrate Eras.
I loved reading about Eras!! Beautiful creations and a beautiful smile. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us!
Yes, I agree, Deana! Thank you for celebrating our sew sister.
Eras, it was nice to meet you! You have made some beautiful clothes! I’m glad you met Anita!
Thank you for celebrating Eras with us today, Maureen.
Wow what a wonderful story, Thanks Anita for finding Ezra for us., I love the motivation. I have to say I’m one of those ladies that took Home Economics in school as well.
You’re welcome, Veleda! I took Home Economics too and loved it. Eras is such an inspiration.
Eras that’s a lovely story of your journey into sewing ?. You’ve accomplished a lot since beginning your sewing adventure. Love how you’ve found good resources to help along the way. I too watch videos, check out as many bloggers, sewist, designers, and pattern companies to get motivated. I find sewing with others really help keep me inspired & motivated to do more challenging things in my sewing studio.
Like you, I also do card crafts and when I’m taking a break from sewing I do card making, and other crafty projects. Great story & “sew-on”!
TroyJennene, thank you so much for celebrating our sister today. I love it when we find out how much we have in common with others in our community.
I see myself in so many of these stories and it’s so good to know I’m not alone! Eras, you’ve got such a contagious smile…just beautiful! It makes me happy seeing you obviously enjoying the life you’re making! Anita, thank you for sharing these lovely women’s journeys!
I agree, here smile is so beautiful. I’m glad you’re enjoying the member features. Thank you for celebrating Eras with us.
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