Interview with Julie Bonnar

As most of you probably know by now Sewing World has 2 new editors, Julie Bonnar and Julie Briggs.  We wanted to know more about them and what they have in mind for the future of Sewing World.  First up we have an interview with Julie Bonnar.

Please tell us more about your back ground and experience.  How did you first get into sewing?  Who taught you?

I have always been quite creative and not really concentrated on one area. As a child and teenager, I had a go at sewing (making a dress that I modelled on the school catwalk), crochet, jewellery making, macramé – you name it I tried it!

How did you end up working for Sewing World? What did you do before that?

Although I had a really good career in marketing, I made the conscious decision that until my children were both at school I felt it was important to stay at home with them.

This was a hard decision but felt the right one to make. However, I needed something to keep my mind occupied so during this time I trained to be an interior designer with the Regent Academy of Fine Arts in London. I started at Sewing World hoping to concentrate on soft furnishings but ended up falling in love with dressmaking!

How long had you worked for Sewing World before becoming editor?

I had been working on Sewing World magazine for the last 7 years in the capacity of Assistant editor so when the position of editor became available, I was delighted to be considered for the role.

Now that you are the editor do you have any exciting plans for the magazine that you can tell us about?

There’s actually two editors both of us are called Julie! Julie Briggs and I have lots of plans for Sewing World. We have a refreshing new look to the magazine and have lots of new contributors lined up for the coming months plus some that have written for Sewing World but not for a long time.

Will there be any significant changes to the magazine or will it continue much as before?

Something that won’t change is the level of skill we have in the magazine - we are essentially a machine sewing magazine and hence we’ll strive to remain the only magazine that really covers this in a big way.

However projects will change and become more contemporary and up to date with what is happening on the High Street. We have had such enthusiastic response to the changes so far.

How would you describe Sewing World to someone who has never read it before?

Sewing World magazine is a colourful, jam-packed magazine aimed at people who sew or want to learn to sew by machine.

Each month, 84 pages are filled with exciting projects, sewing tips and techniques, ‘how-to’ hints,  book reviews, show news, new product information and of course feature articles on people and places involved in sewing. All levels of sewing ability are catered for: from absolute beginners to experienced seamsters. 

I understand you enjoy crafts other than sewing; what crafts do you prefer to do in your spare time?

My hobbies are a little like a busmen’s holiday I am afraid. Although I love to make my own jewellery and have been creating pieces for magazines for the past 2 years and was delighted to have a jewellery piece appear on the cover in February this year. 

A few of our site users had questions for you:

What do you see as the driving force behind the recent Make Do and Mend Movement?

I think many people like myself are fed up with the wasteful attitudes of the individual and the fashion industries throwaway society and today’s rebirth and interest in handmade items, vintage styling and recycling fabrics stems from that. And after all, how good does it feel to create some wonderful out of something that would normally be thrown away!

Do you think the interest in sewing will drop once the economy starts to recover or do you think it’s a sector that will continue to grow?

Recent statistics show this sector is booming with sales of sewing machines and fabric up by hundred’s of percent and no I don’t think it will end. Life is so hectic these days, that it is just nice to find a hobby that is satisfying but also practical too.

How many sewing machines do you own and why?

That’s where I am lucky, I get to review sewing machines and currently have a Janome Memory Craft 6600PP which has fantastic utility stitches and a Brother Innov-is 1500 with a large touch screen and brilliant threader cutter!

I have just been given a Jones sewing machine (because I love vintage) and look forward to finding out about it.

What is your favourite sewing gadget or piece of equipment?

I am an impatient sewer and want everything yesterday, I like to use the cloth guide. It’s a small bracket like piece of metal that you screw on to the throat plate of your sewing machine that keeps you on the straight and narrow. Ideal for us wonky seamstresses!

I have also recently had a go with Simplicity’s bias- tape maker which allows you to make and customise your own fabric bias tape.

Quick Fire Questions:

Preferred type of sewing?

I like to dress make and love all the vintage styling that there is around at the moment

Favourite fabric designer?

British is best – current designers like Stella McCartney and Julien MacDonald who have designed for the High Street so it’s affordable to all too!

But of course, you can’t but admire Coco Chanel for  the original little black dress and it’s staying power!

Favourite project that you’ve written for Sewing World?

 I really enjoyed doing the Young & Fun projects that were geared at inspiring the 8-16 years of age to sew.  Having a boy and a girl in this age group, I would suggest items such as the hair straighteners case, recycling a favourite T-shirt into a cushion and raw rosette and if I got a thumbs up from them - I knew I was on the right track!

To find out more about Sewing World, or to get a subscription please click here.