Guess what?  I am going to be in my first ever sewing competition!!!
How have I not mentioned this yet? 

Top Stitchers is the “Iron Chef”-esque contribution to the Sewing Contest world. Each week, you’ll see two talented seamstresses from across the blog-o-sphere compete for your votes.  And you can follow along for the entirety of Top Stitchers : Season 3 on SewingStadium.com!

THICK AS THIEVES
They say “two heads are better than one” – which is why you and your partner will be flexing your collaborative muscle for this project! Together, you’ll pick a famous duo – real or fictitious – to inspire an outfit for your sons. Be the Starksy to your partner’s Hutch, the Batman to their Robin, the Louis to their Clark. The choice is yours to make together. Good luck!

What’s that saying?  Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?   My head-to-head competition is with RaeAnna Goss, who is a momma/maker/mover/shaker over at Sewing Mama RaeAnna.  And how better to keep close tabs on her than to invite her onto my blog for the day? 

But really, she’s super sweet and talented.  So I guess “enemy” doesn’t really fit.  Dangit. 😉

Meet RaeAnna @ Sewing Mama RaeAnna
Facebook | Blog | Instagram

K :: When did you start sewing?
R :: Similar to you, I took my mom’s sewing machine with me to college but I never did really start sewing until my son was born in 2009!  My grandma taught me as a young girl and I made myself a shirt, a quilt, and some doll clothes with my grandma helping me the whole time.  The birth of my son was the big push to get the machine out and start sewing clothes for him!  Children’s Corner patterns were the starting point for me and I still love the classic look of their patterns!

K :: After stalking your blog, I see that you’ve got two littles.  How old are they?
R :: Christian is 6 and Eva Mae is 3!  They keep me busy for sure!
K :: That’s such a perfect gap in age.  Close but not too close!
R :: Yes – they are finally at the stage where they love to play alongside each other.  We’ll have a Batcave next to a Princess castle and they will play for hours!

K :: What made you decide to bring your creations into blog form?
R :: I started my blog after following several others and wanted to pitch in with my love of teaching and sewing!  I love how much the internet and DIY culture has boomed!  I remember reaching out to Jess of Me Sew Crazy my first few months of blogging to get her advice…. fast forward several years and I had the privilege of being on the Sewing Rabbit team and working for her!  That was awesome!

K :: What was the biggest curve ball that was thrown at you with creative blogging so far?  Or really…any blogging?  Was there anything that surprised you about this hobby?
R :: Well, the biggest curve ball was probably how much time it actually does take to run a successful blog!  I feel like I hit that moment a couple years ago and did well with posting at least once a week.  I took the plunge to make it a business along with my custom sewing orders, but my custom sewing has taken up all my blogging time!  I do love sharing on my blog – especially when it’s a pattern I’ve fallen in love with!

K :: Have you been a part of the Top Stitchers competition before?
R :: Yes, I did Top Stitchers in season 1 with my Japanese inspired outfit!  The challenge was called “Fernwah!” 
(Don’t worry, I did the groundwork and looked it up for you guys!  Here is RaeAnna’s Season 1 submission: Fernwah.)

K :: I LOVE [our Season 3] prompt.  I can’t stinking wait to show off what we’ve decided upon.
R :: Me too!  My son keeps asking me if I’ve made it yet!
K :: I always say that the most dangerous thing to teach your children is that you’re capable of making things.  Because then they expect you to be able to literally make anything.
R :: Yep – the past few months I’ve had to make: a “Man-Bat” costume (copied Dana’s of Dana Made It with black felt and red satin).  A Lego Skull and Cross Bones sticker for a bike helmet.  A Minnie Mouse Dress for my daughter.  2 Super Hero Capes.  And of course the outfits that *I* wanted to make for the kids! haha!

K :: Little did TS know that they were pinning two Michiganders against each other!
R :: Pretty crazy, eh?  I grew up in Grand Blanc, MI!  My grandma lived on the west side in Shelby.

K :: I am a maker at heart.  And I can’t sit still.  Sewing clothes helps a lot.  Because I can be super creative and whatever I make is still useful.  You?
R :: Me too!  I love dressing them in clothes I’ve made!  I feel like they are wearing my love tangibly!!!
K :: Oh gosh!  I love that.  Wearing love tangibly.  That’s awesome.
R :: And Eva Mae has just started saying “My mommy made it!” when people compliment her clothes! haha!  Complete with a little princess curtsey and shy look.

Thank you so much RaeAnna!  It was great getting to know you!  I simply cannot wait to see what you make for our showdown…or to see what anyone makes this season.

Be sure to head over to RaeAnna’s blog to see my answers to her interview [HERE].  AND, take time to go check out the Top Stitcher/Sewing Stadium blog for the entire Season 3 Series.  It’s going to be amazing!