About

New reader? Start here!

My name is Claire. Welcome to Hoopes Park Studios!

I have been sewing since I was a little kid, and decided in the fall of 2013 to blog about it. One of my first projects as a kid was sleeping bags for my beanie babies. In middle school I progressed to making pajama pants, stuffed animals and, later, costumes for high school musicals. I worked professionally as a seamstress in high school and college. In more recent years, I have branched out into linoleum prints and fabric art. Now, I eke out time in my busy schedule to clear my mind and let my hands do the thinking.

This blog is to share the many things my busy hands occupy themselves with. It is about the things I make in my studio, on my sewing machine, with knitting needles, paint, and pliers, how I get wrapped up for hours. I love sewing, but I try almost any DIY that looks interesting, even (especially?) if it requires me to learn a new skill.

You can find some of my thoughts on blogging here and here.

***

Après avoir reçu quelques e-mails des gens qui parlent français, je voulais vous dire que je parle français aussi. Et, j’adore les e-mails en français. Merci à tous qui me les ont envoyés. Ce n’est pas souvent que j’ai l’occasion d’utiliser mon français, et c’est merveilleux d’avoir l’opportunité pour le lire et l’écrire. J’ai de la famille en France, c’est grâce à eux que je parle français. Bienvenue !

***

FAQ

What kind of sewing machine do you have? I have a Babylock Decorator’s Choice sewing machine and a Babylock Imagine serger. I have used them for over 6 years and I highly recommend both. Where do you live? In eastern Pennsylvania. Here is a picture a friend took on a hike:

heel clicks and hiking

How old are you? 24 Why did you start a blog? I am a voracious blog reader, and I wanted to write a blog that would inspire readers as much as my favorite blogs have inspired me. I also wanted to have a platform to share my sewing and DIY projects with all the cool people in the online community. What type of camera do you use? … at the risk of angering my photographer friends, I will admit that I usually use my iPad to take pictures. I use apps like A Beautiful Mess and Snapseed for editing. Lately I have dipped my toe into editing with Adobe Photoshop. Coffee or Tea? Tea What kind of birthday cake do you like? Carrot cake with cream cheese icing, please! Homemade if at all possible. I will also settle for zucchini or banana bread. *** all photos taken by myself or E Cloetingh unless otherwise credited. She took this one back in August ’13