Get To Know Genine (In Her Own Words)
"Hi, I’m Genine, the person behind Genniewren Designs. I've been sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidering, and hand-smocking virtually all my life. My first embroidery project was a tray cloth for my new headmistress when I started school!
I was seven when I embarked on my first real human-sized sewing project all on my own without mum’s help. It involved my little sister lying on the floor on top of some fabric.
I drew around her with chalk, cut out the shape and sewed it together by hand to make a blouse. She wore it to Sunday school and proudly told one of the teachers that I had made it for her.
The teacher said that every designer needed a sewing machine and offered to give me her old machine as she had recently bought a new one. I came home with the shiniest black and gold crank-handle sewing machine you’ve ever seen. I used that machine for years until I received an electric sewing machine for a birthday gift when I was a teenager.
Since those early days, I’ve sewn all sorts of things, sometimes for money, always for fun. I don’t do much human sewing nowadays. Instead, I design sewing, knitting and craft patterns for dolls clothes, pets, and accessories. Since 2005 I’ve been digitizing machine embroidery designs too. My doll and stuffed animal patterns are all available exclusively through Pixie Faire. Joining Pixie Faire has been a great way for me to share my love of sewing for dolls with so many friends all around the world, and I am so happy to be part of that team!
What’s more, August 2024 is my 10th Birthday as a Pixie Faire design partner, and I’m thrilled to be able to celebrate with you all. It’s been such a fun time."
Inquiring Minds Want To Know:
Q: What's your favorite food?
I don’t really have a single favorite food. I love flavorful food of all genres from Mexican to Indian regional cooking. I love to research recipes in books and online and then experiment.
Q: Coffee or Tea?
It depends. Black coffee for breakfast. Herbal mint tea during the day. Despite being a Brit, I don’t actually like tea – and I have been called unpatriotic by some Brits for saying that!
Q: What inspired your brand name?
Gennie Wren was my dad’s nickname for me when I was a child. As I sewed so much for dolls back then, I thought it was a good name to use for my business. When I made the teddy bears I used a different brand name, based on what my nephew called me when he was a baby.
Q: What's your favorite place to shop?
I love shopping at outdoor markets. Our local market has stalls selling the freshest foods from all over the world, fabrics & notions at bargain prices, and all sorts of other stuff. When we visit other towns and cities in the UK we always try and go on market day if we can. A market can tell you so much about a place. I also love browsing in second-hand book shops. My husband and I once “lost” over half a day in a single book shop in Hay on Wye!
Q: What is your dream vacation?
I don’t really do vacations very often as I’m a bit of a homebody. When we do go away I prefer cities or towns with lots of historical features to explore. I’d like to visit the US one day and go to an American Girl store.
Q: Do You Collect Anything Special?
I collect vintage needlework books, pattern drafting books and magazines. Some of my original books, sewing magazines and patterns date back to the 1870s. I keep telling myself I must scan some of them for posterity as the paper can be very fragile. Maybe one day when I have time!
Leave a Comment Below!
We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us which Genniewren Designs & Genniewren Designs Machine Embroidery you love most!
Thanks, everyone!
The Pixie Faire Team
Kathi
September 02, 2024
I love her boiler suit pattern. It’s so nice to hear about how she started and her journey.