This weekend I attended the First Annual SewFlo Connect event. This event was created by Dayana Jeanty for South Florida fashion designers, garment sewist and makers to meet, connect and grow. I met Dayana a few years ago at a Fort Lauderdale Bloggers event and we connected on social media and have been sew sisters ever since. When she posted about the event I reached out to her and told her that I would be glad to help her in anything that she needed for the event. A few days later she asked me if I wanted to be a panelist at her event. I’m not gonna lie, I was so scared but I said absolutely! You guys, I just did my very 1st speaking event!
Read more: First Annual SewFlo Connect Recap
My First Speaking Event
I’m doing lots of things scared this year. I’m stepping out on faith and betting on myself. I taught my very first of many sewing class last month and I spoke at my first event!!! Dayana did an amazing job setting this up and I couldn’t be any prouder. She too stepped out on faith and the results were amazing!
The event was held at St Thomas University in South Florida and the space was decorated so nicely. Instead of having it inside a classroom, which is where we were scheduled to be, she set everything up in the hallway. It was perfect as the hallway had large windows that let in lots of natural light into the space.
Sponsors for SewFlo Connect
Can we talk about the sponsors for this event? Dayana reached out to everyone and anyone and boy did they show out!! There were several raffles and everyone won at least 1 thing. The sponsors and prices were as follows:
- Oliso – 2 mini irons and an iron cover.
- Sew Whye Knot – Ankara fabric
- Minerva – $200 euros gift card
- LA Finch Fabrics – $50 gift card
- Sewing and the City – Pattern bundle
- True Bias – 3 printed patterns
- Living Ankara Life – A fan
- Art Gallery Fabrics – Several fabric bundles
- J Desiree Studio – 3 PDF Patterns
- Sewrority Wear – Mini Box
This is a photo of all my winnings! I cleaned up I must say. I won 6 yards of Ankara Fabric from Sew Why Knot, a fabric bundle from Art Gallery Fabrics, a gorgeous fan from Living the Ankara Life and a pattern bundle from Sewing and the City. Pretty good, right? I already have plans for that pretty Ankara fabric.
Meet the Panelist
The panelists that spoke at the event were Nandita aka @divinedita on Insta. Sherrell from @sew_whye_knot and myself @soveryjo. Dayana conducted the interview more like a round table chat and I loved that. Made it feel less intimidating for me. Dita shared her pattern testing journey and how she got started. She also discussed how to go about pattern testing and how to make that relationship work for you and the pattern designer you are testing for. I learned quite a few things from listening to Dita. Sherrell talked about her start in the sewing business and her experiences with runway fashion shows. I loved hearing how much she loved doing fashion shows because she was able to let loose and really express herself through her designs. There’s just something about listening to someone else talk about the same things that you love that it’s just beautiful.
They day was filled with sharing information with fellow sewist and just coming together to fellowship. Not only did the ladies from South Florida come to share and fellowship with each other, but Sherrell flew in from Maryland to be a panelist and Dita drove all the way from Northern Florida. We all had a great time and I can’t wait until next year’s event. I know it’s going to bigger and better than this year. Congratulations Dayana!!
Make sure you follow these ladies on social media to keep up to date with all their makes and what they are working on.
Dayana – @26bydayana
Nadita (Dita) – @divinedita
Sherrell – @sew_whye_knot
