We were lucky to catch up with Leslie Hernandez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

For me, bag making was almost an adventure with many trials and errors. First I started with quilting, making blankets for myself and close friends. Eventually covid hit and I decided to put my sewing skills to use and sell fun masks. After a lot of trials and errors, I had created comfortable and fun masks. Once the mask restriction were over, I didn’t know what to do but I had the confidence to try anything. When I saw tutorials of bag making I was inspired. I watched tons of different and amazing people on YouTube make beautiful bags and so I started my new journey that eventually made Thats Sew Leslie. Being self taught made this interesting to say the least. With every mess up was something I could improve and grow. Now sewing is much more than just a hobby, it’s my adventure and passion.

Leslie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello Readers! My Name is Leslie and I am the owner of Thats Sew Leslie! My company is homed in Tennessee where we make custom handmade bags. I am a passionate and self-taught sewist who was able to turn my love for crafting into a small business. I started my journey by experimenting with different fabrics and patterns at home. This dedication to mastering the art of bag making has lead me to create unique, handcrafted pieces that blend functionality and style. Each bag reflects my commitment to quality and sustainability. I absolutely love what I do and hope to continue to inspire others.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think today in our society, we automatically think “support” equates to dollars. Support for anyone trying to thrive is free. We can spread the word just by sharing on our social media accounts or even just by word of mouth. Engaging in content can boost an artists visibility tremendously. Liking and commenting helps increase our reach and shows that our work resonates with people. It doesn’t have to be by purchasing items, which is nice, but not all have that ability. So Like, Comment and Share!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of bag making is seeing a concept transform from a simple idea into a tangible, functional piece of art. Each step of the process, from selecting the perfect materials to meticulously stitching every seam, brings a unique sense of accomplishment. The joy of creating something with your own hands that others can use and appreciate is unparalleled. Additionally, receiving positive feedback and seeing others wear and cherish my creations provides a deep sense of fulfillment and motivates me to continue honing my craft.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.thatssewleslie.com
• Instagram: @thats_sew_leslie
• Facebook: @thatssewleslie

Image Credits

Logo-@ilustra_anne