I’ve been married for 35 years to a wonderful man who supports all my crazy crafting habits. We have two sons, who we have raised to know that mom has things she loves to do, too. We literally have fabric and crafting items in almost every room in our house, including a guest bathroom that we never use. We used to live in Virginia, right outside Washington, D.C., where I would sit in traffic for hours on end each week thinking about all the crafting that I could be doing instead of sitting in traffic, so we left the rat race there and moved to Upstate NY where we now own a 30-acre farm, with a 150-year old farmhouse, and we have 12 acres of Concord Grapes, and I have lots more time to craft every day! I didn’t start selling my craft until three years ago. Did I mention I’m almost 60 years old? So it’s never too late to take your hobby or something you love to do and turn it into a business. Many people tell me, “But I wouldn’t want to start a business doing something that I like to do to relax.” I tell them, “But I wouldn’t want to start a business in something that I didn’t love to do.”
Lesley Rackowski
Random Facts About You?I've been sewing since I was age 12 (Lyndon Johnson was president when I was 12, for those who would like to figure out how 'young' I am.)
My motto is: Housework only comes before needlework, quilting, and sewing in the dictionary. So I don't have a really clean house.
I have a really big sweet tooth and love all kinds of sweets.
Don't worry. It doesn't do any good. You can be concerned, but don't worry. Fill your mind with the things you like to do, and then it won't have any room for worry.
What got you started crafting?
My dad went to Sears one day to buy four tires for his car, and he came home with a sewing machine for me. I had never asked for one, but something made him think that I would like to learn how to sew. And he was right. I took right to it, and haven't stopped since. I made all my clothes in high school. Then sewing grew into quilting. I've been quilting for 25 years. I also expanded into needlework. My house is filled with my needlework projects, and I have graced many of my friends and families with my handmade gifts throughout the years. When my kids were younger, I became their cub scout leader, and I used to tell people that I was their leader so I could do all my crafting and blame it on having to do it with the kids.
What is your source of inspiration?
Life. It's as simple as that. I look around me and see all the beautiful colors, and shapes, and sizes that are around me, and I realize that I can mix and match any way that I want to when I make my creations. Everything I look at reminds me of fabric. And I take that inspiration and make things from it.
What have you made recently?
Pillowcases, pillowcases, and more pillowcases. And aprons, too. The name of my business is Pillowcasegram & Other Things, but my aprons have been so popular at shows and in my previous shop, that I am in the process of changing my web site name to "Sweet Dreams and Apron Strings," so I can sell more aprons on my web site.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I currently sell my crafts on my web site. I used to have a brick-and-mortar store, but recently semi-retired, and only sell on my web site. I also have a fabric web site.
I also sell at shows in my local area, and occasionally travel to other states to sell at shows.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Handmade items are so beautiful. And most times they truly reflect the person who made them, who put all that love and time into them. I can really look at an item and learn something about that person. You don't get that in factory-made items.
Find Me
LocationWestfield, NY
Email Address
Lesley Rackowski
Personal Website
http://www.pillowcasegram.com
Store Website
http://www.pcgfabrics.com
@pillowcaselady
http://www.facebook.com/pillowcasegram
