One of the criticisms we faced during putting out Issues of STYLO magazine, was feedback regarding there not being enough diversity. Which actually took Celina and I back when we heard that, considering how we scoured the world and had writers from so many different countries. Skin color hadn’t even crossed our minds when we were putting together the magazine…we had prided ourselves in a magazine filled with so many different countries that skin color wasn’t a blip on our radar. But it was for some of our readers.
After that issue, I really started looking. I have never considered myself racist, growing up so close to New York City exposed me to many different cultures at a young age. I feel blessed to have had that in my life. But as I looked at my close circle of sewing blogger friends, there wasn’t much diversity there. There had to be more incredibly talented African American seamstresses blogging out there. It was time I looked broader, to find a bigger, more colorful world.
In honor of today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day – here are just some of the incredible woman I have found.
Sewing Bloggers You Oughta Know: Women of Color.
*Please note – since writing this post it has been brought to my attention that the ladies featured are much more diverse than even I knew. I am always amazed by the beauty to be found everywhere, and no one title can encompass anyone or everyone. We are all so much more.
1. The Telltale Tasha
source via: The Telltale Tasha
2. Mimi G Style
3. That Black Chic
4. Mingo & Grace
5. Beaute J’adore
6. Erica Bunker
7. Houseful of Nicholes
8. Needle and Ted
9. Miss Celie’s Pants
10. Oona Balloona
11. Little Kids Grow
12. Style Pantry
13. Chinelo Bally
Lastly, have you seen the movie The Butler?
My husband and I recently sat down to watch it. I really have no words for how this movie made me feel, I guess you could say I was moved beyond words. It was absolutely incredible, and I highly recommend it for your next adult movie night.
But in case you are into reading books like me, I just happened to stumble across this while google searching ‘african american seamstress’. It was immediately put on my ‘books to read’ list. Sounds pretty amazing.
Behind the Scenes in the Lincoln White House: Memoirs of an African-American Seamstress
The story of Elizabeth Keckley.
“Born a slave in Virginia, Elizabeth Keckley (c. 1824–1907) went on to become a talented dressmaker and designer, with some twenty employees of her own. Catering to the wives, daughters, and sisters of Washington’s political elite, she included among her clientele Mary Todd Lincoln, who became her close friend and confidante.”
Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…
Happy sewing.
Yeah! Thank you for doing this.
I am an avid sewer who happens to be black British and an avid follower of loads
of sewing blogs, which are amazing. I have specifically looked for black, African or
African American bloggers, since we do have common fitting issues. So thank you very much for compiling a list,
much appreciated.
Olu, Olu, Olu. Not quite american, but soooo good!
not quite American – but love her so much!! She needed to be on the list 🙂 🙂 🙂
Awww! Thank you Jess. x
Awww! Thank you so much Jess. x
Hee hee! Annika I was really surprised to find myself on this list. No doubt I am black, and from African decent but you are right, I am not quite American. I don’t think Chinelo is either. Shhh!!! It’s our little secret.
I knew Chinelo wasn’t as well – as a contestant in the Great British Sewing Bee 🙂 🙂 🙂 – LOL. I guess perhaps I should’ve used broader terminology!!!
Thanks for putting this together. I have been following 3 of the bloggers listed here and love their creativity.
Your list is more diverse than you had originally planned. Mimi G. is actually Puerto Rican.
Wait wait wait wait – hold the phone!!! Mimi G is Puerto Rican?!! Mind = blown. I always thought she was African American!!! I am such a huge fan of hers!!! And now that I think of it, of course she is Puerto Rican. I don’t know why I always assumed otherwise. Wow…totally learned something new today. Wow wow wow. And duh.
Lol! Understandable. African Americans and those from the Caribbean share many traits.
I feel like an a$$, but I changed the title of the post to be more open. The post is meant to honor people whom I admire greatly. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention and correcting me!
This list is awesome Jess!! There are a few here I already follow but a couple I’ve not heard of so looking forward to following them and looking them up on Instagram ?
You did a really good job ?
Thanks so much for the mention. And it’s always OK to just simply say ‘Black’. It covers the gamut!
Oh please no! Don’t feel like that 🙂 Thank you so much for updating the title. I’m so touched that you even did this. Your responses here in the comments are awesome enough. But thanks again 😀
Wanett from Sown Brooklyn is another must read. http://sownbrooklyn.com/
well thank you jess, and i must tell you, i never know if people know what i “am”… hell, i don’t fully know what i am, as we keep finding out about different races in our mix. irish was the last surprise 😉
i agree with erica, “black” covers it! but, i know peeps that don’t agree… feh. one day we won’t have to worry about race… and every plaid will match… and seam rippers will gather dust…
Great post Jess! I will have to go check out some of these blogs as they are new to me. And we really did try to bring diversity to the mag… now will you be doing a post about all the boy/men sewing bloggers next? 😉 hehe
Great post, Jess! As a Canadian woman of colour (mulatto), I appreciate seeing all these talented and beautiful fellow bloggers in one place.
Wow! Thanks, Jess!
Thank you! Very happy to have some new additions to my sewing Feedly!
Awesome! Great blog and it’s good to see some of the ladies I follow here in the sewing world be mentioned. I’ve been seeing all my life and I know the ups and downs of sewing for us women of color. Thanks for mentioning these ladies.
#PerfumeLettuce
Hey yo Jess! I just found this post, thanks so much! The company you put me in is awesome! Some of the ladies I already know and admire wholeheartedly [OK so I don’t know all of them personally but I feel like I do] and some others I will get to know. Thanks again Jess!
am surprised The Daily Threadz didnt make the list love her sewing blog also
So happy to see such amazing women all under one category.. I’m so blessed to know two personally MimiG and Mingo&Grace this such a honor.. All you ladies are amazing.. Congrats
Cree
Honored.
Thanks for using your platform to highlight this incredible line up of talent.
xoxo
Farrah
I am a self taught seamstress and I love to see all of these ladies work. They have truly inspired me to push forward in my sewing. I plan to have a blog one day as well. #tallgirlssew
Wow! What an honor to be included in this great line up, Jess! Thank you for your heartfelt consideration. It’s truly appreciated. Now, I guess I better go and sew something up!
Jess, this is such an awesome post! Thank you so much. I already follow a few of these amazing ladies, and now I can’t wait to go check out the others.
What a great resource! Will have to check these bloggers out. I’ve fallen in love with MImi G. a little over a year ago and now you’ve done the leg work of looking for others who I can turn to for expertise and inspiration. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing. So happy to see these designers beautiful works, outstanding!
My Daily Threadz is another blog you should check out.