Personal Background
Vickeidy, as we dive into your story, could you provide a snapshot of who you are and take us on the journey that led you to where you are today?
¡Hola! I’m Vickeidy Plybon, the brains, heart, and hands behind Sewspicious. I live in New York City in a small apartment with my husband, two kids, and too many sewing machines. I’m 37 years old and work as a high school Spanish teacher. I mostly teach newly arrived immigrants and heritage language speakers. This is my favorite group to work with because I was once in their shoes. I understand what it’s like to be a teenager in a new country, struggling to learn a new language. My family migrated from the Dominican Republic to the United States when I was 15, and I’ve lived in NYC ever since.
Quilting Journey
When and how did you start quilting? What drew you to quilting as a form of expression?
I started quilting in 2018. To make a long story short, I am a 4th-generation sewist. My mother ran a home-based business making custom clothing for people in our community. She studied fashion design, and pattern making was her specialty. She could make anything: wedding gowns, school uniforms, fancy outfits, suits, clothes for my dolls. You name it, she could make it. She even used a treadle machine for the many hours we didn’t have electricity in the Dominican Republic. When we migrated to the United States, she left that part of her life behind.
In 2017, I came across a sewing machine on Facebook Marketplace that reminded me of my mom’s old treadle. It was a Singer 99. It wasn’t working, but I turned to Google and YouTube and eventually got it running smoothly. That’s when I caught the bug and started buying and restoring vintage sewing machines. I did that for a while until I came across the Singer Featherweight 221. I had never heard of it, so I looked it up and found out it was a favorite among quilters. I didn’t even know what a quilter was, so I did more research. I made it my New Year’s resolution to make a quilt in 2018 and I fell in love and have been quilting ever since.
What drew me to quilting the most was the freedom to create what I wanted. I love turning pieces of fabric into something that will be cherished for years. Quilting helps me quiet my mind and shut off intrusive thoughts. I can sew for hours and forget about daily life and its struggles.
Pattern Designing
What inspired you to start designing quilt patterns? How do you approach the creative process of designing a new pattern?
I started designing patterns in 2022. I wanted to make a quilt designed by a person of color, but I couldn’t find many on Instagram. That’s when I realized there was a major gap in representation and decided to give it a try. I discovered that I love the design and writing process just as much as I enjoy making the quilts.
I learned how to write patterns through Amber Elliot’s Pattern Writing Academy at Alderwood Studio. It’s a very comprehensive course that taught me everything I needed to know. For me, designing a new pattern usually starts with the desire to make something specific. I picture the quilt in my mind but can’t find a pattern that matches, so I start sketching. I go through many iterations before settling on a final design.
Style and Aesthetics
How would you define your pattern style? Are there specific themes or elements that consistently appear in your designs?
I would describe my style as modern traditional. I love clean lines, curves, symmetry, and bright colors. I’m drawn to geometric designs that are interesting to the eye.
Color
How does color play a role in your pattern designing? Do you have a favorite color? Are there certain color combinations you find particularly appealing?
I often struggle with color choices. I really like two-tone designs because they allow the pattern to shine. My favorite color is black, but my quilts are usually full of color. I tend to favor light gray, white, or cream as background colors in all of my designs.
Business Activities
Apart from designing patterns, what other activities are integral to your quilting business?
(Membership, notions, courses, etc)
Right now, designing patterns is the main and only focus of my business. However, I hope to expand in the future.
Online Presence
Where can people find your work online? (Website, social media handles, online marketplaces). How do you use online platforms to connect with your audience and fellow quilters?
I spend most of my time on Instagram. It’s the main platform I use to connect with other quilters because it’s user-friendly and where I find most of my community. I share sneak peeks of upcoming patterns, current projects, fabric pulls, and occasional reminders for fellow quilters and makers.
Website: www.sewspicious.com
Instagram: @sewspicious
Upcoming Projects
Can you provide a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or designs you’re working on? Any exciting collaborations or events?
I’m putting the final touches on a pattern I hope to release in mid-June. It’s called Afterglow, and it’s my modern take on a traditional block. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.
I also have a newly released thread collection with Aurifil Threads called Hilos de Alegría. It’s a beautiful set of seven curated colors designed to bring joy to any of your projects.
QuiltInk Experience
How has QuiltInk contributed to your quilt pattern design business? Could you share your experience with the platform and how it has influenced your creative process and connected you with fellow quilters?
I love collaborating with and using QuiltInk. It opens up my patterns to endless possibilities. As a designer, I have a vision for what my patterns might look like, but when I see how others recolor them on QuiltInk, it always surprises me in the best way. The color combinations and variations that others come up with are ones I wouldn’t have even considered. It’s an amazing platform that helps fuel creativity and build community.
