Meet the Maker - Dulce Hernandez
Posted by Angie CHIA on
Welcome to our September issue of Meet the Makers! For our first instalment, let us introduce you to a talented sewist, Dulce who not only creates beautiful dresses for her daughter but also adds a vintage flair that will make your heart skip a beat. You'd recognise her adorable daughter who is a familiar face in our sewing community. You can follow more of her makes on Instagram @deileenslittlecloset.
Tell us a little bit about yourself...
Hey y’all! My name is Dulce ( yes Candy in English) I am a wife and momma of three; 2 boys - Adriel (12) and Cael (7) and a girl, Deileen (3). I was born in Mexico but raised in Texas. I’m a licensed Manicurist but I'm only working with a small clientele at the moment. This allows me to spend more time with my kids and sew for my daughter.
How did you learn to sew and when?
At a young age my mom taught me how to thread a needle and I learned how to hem by hand. It wasn’t perfect but it got the job done. In 2017, I purchased a very basic sewing machine. I'm 4’11” so I had to tailor dresses and pants to my height. I figured that a sewing machine would be faster and neater than by hand. I would also use the sewing machine to make my boys bow ties but that was it. Fast forward to December 2020, we're still in quarantine from Covid and I had a 3 month baby girl. I couldn’t do much so I needed a hobby to keep busy. I had a sewing machine in hand so I went on YouTube and searched how to sew an easy baby dress. I found a peasant dress video that had a free pattern. I figured why not try it. I upcycled a blouse that I didn’t use anymore and made my daughter her first handmade dress. I really enjoyed it so I looked into more free patterns on YouTube and Pinterest. That’s when I got more into this amazing world of sewing.
What's your favourite type of fabric to work with?
I still have a lot to learn when it comes to fabric types. I have worked with knit and woven but my favorite has to be woven fabrics. I love and own a lot of woven dress patterns so it has become my favorite. I also believe it’s easier to work it.
While I do enjoy getting new fabric I love to repurpose clothing, bedsheets, tablecloths etc. to make into something new and unique.
What's your favourite Peony make to date?
It’s hard to choose! It’s like asking which one of your kids is your favorite!! I will say that the Jasmine dress I made with the Mariposa embroidery will forever have my heart.
What are your sewing goals for this year?
My sewing goal is to finally make something with a zipper. I’ve been avoiding it but I think it’s time.
What sewing tip have you learned along the way that you use all the time and why?
For sure, that's to wash and dry your fabric before sewing. That way if what you made accidentally got thrown in the dryer (e.g. by your husband), it won’t shrink much!
What is your biggest sewing achievement or challenge to date? Tell us about it!
My biggest sewing achievement has been sewing my lemon-themed Mimosa dress! I've never used so much tulle fabric in my life! But it’s such an amazing pattern and totally worth all the gathering. I just love how that dress turned out.
What advice would you give to someone learning to sew?
Carefully read pattern’s instructions or else you’ll be like me having to reach for the seam ripper cause you think you know it all and have to take it apart!!! Also have fun!
𝒳𝒳𝒳, 𝒟𝓊𝓁𝒸𝑒
Share this post
- Tags: Meet the Maker