June has always been the time of year for celebrations and milestones. It's the most popular month for Weddings, Graduations, concerts, recitals, and the list goes one. Our June Member in Focus, marusya grace, is quite aware of all these milestones and creates the most magnificent garments to celebrate our achievements with family and friends. Mary Grace's connection with family is her biggest asset and is the driving force in all the work she sews. Mary Grace is Ukrainian in heritage and also designs the most astonishing traditional Vyshyvanka (embroidered shirt or dress) Let's get to know more about this Indiana girl.
Mary Grace in her Ukrainian vyshyvanka (embroidery).
Member Since: 11/19/13
PR Name: marusya grace
Full Name: Mary Grace Godfrey
Blog: www.marusyamarusya.com
Company Website: www.anagrassia.com
Instagram: @marusyagrace
Examples of handmade Ukrainian vyshyvanka
When did your love of sewing begin?
Being born into a very artistic family, identity and self-expression were always rooted in creativity. I watched my grandmother and mother sew, the former being a professional dressmaker, but it wasn’t until high school that I took interest in developing the skill and enrolled in sewing lessons. After college, I picked it up again and pursued more classes at a local university. This is when a wonderful professor really exposed me to the craft of sewing and tailoring. I would credit her guidance and instruction for setting a concrete path before me as a seamstress and designer.
Mary Grace and her 5 siblings at one brother's wedding
Left: "My sister and I at our brother's wedding wearing dresses and jackets I made for us."
Right: "My daughter and I at my brother's wedding."
What is your background? Tell us about where you work and where you live. We would love to know more about your family.
I am located in South Bend, Indiana, in view of the University of Notre Dame’s campus. I reopened my custom clothing and sewing shop after closing up when I moved to New York. The pandemic made it clear that being closer to family was more of a benefit than the big city. It is now possible to host lessons and help other aspiring artists, and I am working in a city that is historically very important to Singer (look it up!). My one-year-old spends most days with me in the shop, and she certainly has made her own mark on the place!
"Me and my nieces on the beautiful camps of the University of Notre Dame"
Left: "Fun in the studio with my family members- as we prep and have fittings for a big family wedding!"
Right: "I work with my daughter by my side all day."
Do you have a favorite fabric to sew with?
Wool! I love that I can easily press, shrink, stretch, and cut wool. I don’t overthink or plan every aspect when I start a project. I usually always change and adjust the fit and design as I work. Wool let's me do this. I also enjoy sewing jackets more than any other item of clothing, and that means I must work with beautiful wool textiles from England, Scotland, and Italy!
BurdaStyle Magazine - Brocade Blazer
BurdaStyle Magazine - Spring Trench
BurdaStyle Magazine - Long Coat
BurdaStyle Magazine - Spring Trench
What are you sewing right now?
I am finishing cashmere wool capes and about to undertake the patterning of a men’s wool overcoat.
Cashmere Capes by Mary Grace
What is your Ride or Die pattern? You've used it multiple times and never want to be without it.
I absolutely couldn’t part ways with the basic body moulages for a range of sizes. I use these patterns for dresses or when double-checking the fit of jackets.
I recently worked with students to create their Twig + Tale Fable dresses. I thought they did an excellent job with their sizing and application of the instructions. Students finished with a basic pattern they could then adjust into different styles.
Tell us about other PR members you ar e inspired by and would love to meet IRL:
I don’t have time to browse the website daily. But this is the first place I come to when I need to troubleshoot or just want to be inspired. When I see a pattern that interests me, I come here to see the pattern through other makers. The reviews are extremely helpful and really help expand the vision of a project.
But I do enjoy following Melwyk because I admire her skill and love her taste. It’s a plus that she happens to be Ukrainian, just like me!
PR member: Melwyk
Read Melwyk's MIF interview here
Where do you sew? We would love to see photos of your sewing space.
I have an atelier in South Bend, Indiana. I recently started selling Singer Elite sewing machines and giving sewing classes in the shared learning space of the commercial building. My studio is a place where beauty is seen even in the chaos of the cutting board, everything is part of working toward something spectacular!
"My atelier in South Bend, IN"
Mary Grace working with her daughter
Which is your primary sewing machine?
I primarily use a Juki industrial machine and Singer Elite CE677. The stitches and tension are perfect, and adjustments are easy on my Singer Elite. I started using it for most of my dressmaking projects and the detailing on jackets.
Do you have any other hobbies?
I enjoy running, praying, and being a mother. And nothing beats dressing my family!
"My wedding day with all my nieces. We are all wearing pieces I made for the day"
My daughter's baptism. Her gown was made from my wedding dress.
Thank you so much for sharing, marusya grace, you are an inspiration to our community!
Connect with marusya grace on PR and see more of her reviews in her Review Gallery.
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