We were lucky to catch up with Virginia Wygal recently and have shared our conversation below.

Virginia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

When comparing my mental state today, as an independent creative, to that of my ‘corporate’ creative state, I can say without hesitation that I am happier. That is not to say that there are not similar challenges, but the fact that those struggles are aimed at the ultimate success of my own enterprise makes a big difference in the perception of happiness.
My independent journey began as the result of severe unhappiness with the ‘regular’ job! I can honestly say that I have never thought about going back and getting a regular job. It may be that the memory is still fresh, but I understand why those who maybe never had the “regular” job may think it more attractive. I can say that having been there first makes me appreciate what I have now ten-fold!
It has been about 15 years since I was downsized out of a ‘corporate’ creative position and was struggling to find the next ‘right-fit’ location. What ensued was 10 years of misery followed by an intense search for meaning. It was during this low point that I sought help, which set the stage for a pivotal moment in my life. I employed the services of a strengths coach who began walking me through the strengths finding, resume building, confidence affirming blueprint. After several meetings and rejection letters, I began feeling something in my heart – a longing for something that I wasn’t finding in the corporate job search. During our meetings, I discovered things about myself that I had never paid attention to before. Yes, I always felt creative. That was never in question. The startling revelation came when, during one particular coaching session, it just came out – “I don’t want to do this anymore! I don’t want to work for anyone anymore. I cannot go back!” That coaching session marked the last time I even entertained the thought of a regular job.
The truth was that I was desperately seeking a way to express my creativity toward my own goals. When I said to her “I think I want to work for myself,” it was as if a burden had been lifted. A huge weight disappeared, and a faint path appeared ahead. We began planning my exit from the miserable job I had and in January 2020, I quit.
We all know what happened next, and I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made! I firmly believe I would not be here today if I had taken that unbelievable frightening step to exit the corporate creative world. Here’s why: the angst and misery I was forcing myself to endure had made me physically ill. I hadn’t realized just how badly until much later. What I learned during the pandemic lockdown, which was scary but not terribly disruptive for me, was that I am much stronger than I realized.
Working for yourself takes discipline. It requires self-motivation, self-determination, and intentional connection with others that may not live anywhere near you. I have built lasting friendships from online connections, and I have learned more about new technology because I was forced to. I am so much more creative now because I forced myself to think differently and work differently. I will never look back. I have come to the conclusion that, while my time in the ‘job’ may have taught me what to do and how to do it, it is time for me to put my own spin on it and build my dreams.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As far back as I can remember, I gravitated toward drawing, color, and fabric! My favorite activities as a child were playing with dolls, making their clothing and drawing wardrobes for paper dolls. My first attempt to make something for myself was an epic fail at the age of 10 or 11. That resulted in my first trip to a “real” fabric store, a pattern and some instruction. That was all it took! By middle school I was tailoring suits for myself and making my own prom dresses. It was no surprise when I decided that, instead of medical school, I would prefer an art school that taught fashion design.
When I got a job in the garment industry right out of school, I worked my way up from patternmaking to design, then to senior creative, and eventually to Director of Product Development. This was a career that I loved beyond measure, included all the things that inspired me, and required international travel. It was fantastic, until it wasn’t. When the design industry began to shrink to overseas outsourcing, many design houses in the US closed and I was essentially downsized out. I attempted and failed to find something else I would love as much.
After much soul searching, I decided that my love of creativity, fabric, color and art was never going to go away. I knew I had to pivot—and that’s when I rediscovered my unwavering passion for creativity. I reinvented myself and began using those talents in different ways. My business is what I would call my “portfolio” career – multifaceted with a common focus – fabric!
Virginia Leigh Studio began with the freelance product development services. I also create mixed media collage art that includes fabric, fibers and findings from the garment industry. It is an ode to the 3-Dimensional nature of clothing design, using much of the same elements. In addition, I design fabric prints and other surface designs. The next phase of the ‘portfolio’ began as an offshoot of my own journey to reignite my creative life. I offer online classes that help my students rediscover their own creative spark and draw it out to an active (and profitable) practice or business. I now have several online classes geared toward helping other fabric-centered creatives, as well as a membership called “Sewing Studio Secret” and a podcast called “The Textile Creative.” Mind you, all of this happened AFTER my mid-fifties!
I help fabric and fiber creatives overcome the isolation and uncertainty of pursuing their passion by providing practical tools, supportive community, and expert guidance. Virginia Leigh Studio is a place that blends technical expertise with heartfelt creative exploration. Whether they’re reconnecting with fabric-based art, learning new creative skills, or turning their passion into a thriving small business, I’m here to provide the tools, support, and inspiration they need. I’m not just teaching these steps—I’m living them. Through deep exploration, I rediscovered my love for art, textiles, and design, inspiring me to build a business that puts creativity at the heart of everything I do. Now, as an entrepreneur, I’m committed to guiding other fiber creatives on their own journey.
At first, I was beyond frightened of the potential for failure and the sheer enormity of the path ahead. But the fact that I am standing tall and growing more successful every day makes me so proud that I took the leap, trusted myself to do it, and faced the fear head on! If I can do it this late in life, I can help you do it too!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

When I sit to create—whether it’s a collage piece, a wedding gown, a new podcast, or the next issue of my eMagazine—I feel an overwhelming sense of connection, wholeness, and purpose.
One of the things I love about my creative practice is the fact that I now get to choose when and what to focus on. This freedom translates into a visceral sense of intentionality and authenticity. It took me a while to recognize that this was what I was feeling. At first it simply felt indulgent.
I truly believe that everyone is creative in a very personal and individual way. When I am creating, I get completely lost in the process. I truly feel I have connected with something that is soul-driven, God-given, and essentially a deep part of myself reaching for its voice. This state helps me overcome challenges and doubts I have about my creative work. I know this sounds very woo-woo, but that is the most gratifying feeling! It’s not simply about the fact that I’ve created something that didn’t exist before, but that something I had to say got said! Maybe I helped someone. Maybe I inspired someone. Knowing that my work can touch someone’s life, spark a new idea, or simply bring a moment of joy, reinforces the deep satisfaction I derive from the creative process. But most of all, I completed something, put it out there, and now it lives.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was rethinking what it meant to be ‘on the clock.’ After years in a corporate atmosphere, the idea of dedicating time to my own creative projects felt foreign. It took many months for me to quit pacing the house and consider my own creative pursuits worthy of my time. In fact, since they were my “career” now, it was an essential lesson to learn. I had to unlearn my pattern of putting everyone else’s demands first.
As a corporate creative, my most productive time during the day was spent creating for the company’s initiatives. It may have been private label styles, a line for market, or technical instructions for an overseas factory. The bulk of my time was spent overseeing projects for someone else. The only time I had to devote to my creative desires was after 5 and weekends. The corporate job was the bread winner, and my creativity was the side gig.
After decades of putting my own creative desires into the margins, I had to learn to reclaim those hours as the core of my work. It was a very hard habit to unlearn. My biggest challenge was to consider my most productive creative hours for my own creative business. Now my creativity was the bread winner and the “contract” design work for others is the side-gig. I must admit, it is a habit I must still be watchful of and be intentional about following. I religiously use a planner to write in my work first and then work the other stuff around the margins. By intentionally prioritizing my creative work with a planner and staying mindful of my schedule, I’ve transformed my approach to creativity—turning what was once a side gig into my main passion and livelihood.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.virginialeighstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginialeighstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginialeighstudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiawygal/
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/SewingStudioSecrets
  https://www.pinterest.com/virginiawygal/