We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abi Butler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Abi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned at an early age to have appreciation for sewing and crafting! My mom and Nanny made me and my three sisters matching clothes and some of my earliest memories are of playing with my mom’s thread spools while she sewed. My first sewing project was when I was five. By the time I was eight, I was making pillows for everyone and finally had my own sewing machine to work from. There were failed doll clothes and crooked shorts, but every failed project brought me knowledge on what I needed to change for the next project. Over the years, I’ve learned quilting, crochet, clothing, purses, etc. After I graduated high school, I published my first sewing book, Modern Prairie Sewing. It taught me how to teach others what I knew and loved. A few years later I published another sewing book, Sew Home in the Kitchen, where I was able to share my love of baking and sewing in one place.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in a small town farming community, but when I moved to central Texas at eight years old, my mind was blown by the western fashion and industry. I immediately walked into wrangler jeans, western print button up shirts, bottle feeding lambs, and roping dummies. It was the best. The respect I have for this industry has only grown over the years. In the summer of 2021, I decided to use the love I have for sewing and crafting and combine it with my love for western decor and fashion. I decided I wanted to make a western purse that I hadn’t seen before. I carried it, loved it and immediately starting having people ask if they could buy one from me. The support was overwhelming! Every bag, even if it’s the same style, is different. I love being able to promote my bags and giving customers something unique and that’s totally theirs. I work hard to give each customer exactly what they’re wanting and more. I try to make customizing easy too; I give a few options for the outer bag and the lining. Customers are involved but surprised, so it’s like Christmas for everyone. My goal is for every supporter to feel special and to provide them with a high quality, handcrafted, personally designed items and all made in my tiny home studio. Since my first western purse, my business has grown into several bags styles, cowhide lined decorative bowls, cowhide placemats, cowhide coasters, cowhide stockings, and even show heifer stuffed animals! My purses have flown all over the world, from Michigan to Australia!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I feel so incredibly blessed that the Lord’s given me an opportunity to share my love of sewing with the world around me. Seeing people enjoy the products I’ve made makes me so excited and happy. I still get notes about how my sewing books have encouraged or taught people how to sew. I love to help people and while I’m creating things that are useful and that make others happy, I’m providing an income to my little family too.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I believe I should be living every minute to the fullest! Designing new purses and working on orders is a creative outlet for me for sure, but this side hustle has given me the opportunity to spend more time with my family (especially my growing nephews and nieces who are my world) which is extremely important to me. While I’m spending more time with my family, I’m also providing customers all over the world with an affordable, handcrafted, self designed and beautiful things – nothing makes me happier!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @butlerhides_ and abiamerican
• Facebook: abiamerican and modernprairiesewing
• Other: tiktok: abiamerican

Image Credits

Emma Sitzman, Delaney Kline