Curated By You: Lili Oliveira Makes The FS Dana Jumpsuit In Linen

Lili wears FS DANA Jumpsuit made with FS CRIMSON Mid Weight Linen

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.  

First, I would like to thank you for reaching out and making the offer to collaborate with fabric-Store.com. I have been a customer for quite a while and I’m a fan of your textile selection. When I am not sewing I work as a museum educator in New York City. I consider myself very lucky to be able to learn about history, art, and share all my learning with students from all over the city. Because of the pandemic, instead of visits and teaching, we have switched everything to an online platform. It has been a challenge but we have adapted brilliantly. I am also Brazilian born and raised, and have been in the USA for 14 years. I’m happily married for over a decade and have a lovely (almost) 2 year old boy. We love spending time together as a family, eating different food, and traveling.

Why do you sew?

Sewing for me is more than a hobby. And lately, it has become my personal escape from the crazy world we are living in. It’s fun and I get an intense sense of satisfaction once my garment is finished. Because I put so much time and effort into a piece of clothing I tend to care more about it. Each stitch is intentional and has done with love. Also, I avoid fast fashion stores and support small and independent businesses when I shop for patterns and fabric. I learned to enjoy when I can speak with the people that developed and are selling me a product. The outcome of all of this is an exclusive and unique garment!

Lili wears FS DANA Jumpsuit made with FS CRIMSON Mid Weight Linen

What do you like to listen to when you’re working (and why)?

I normally sew when my son is asleep, so I try to stay as silent as possible. You have no idea how loud a serger can be! Maybe, I listen to my thoughts !? lol

As a child, what was your first encounter and memory of beauty?

Disney princesses, of course. As I grew older I started to understand how conventional beauty standards can be (and should be) challenged. After that, I started to look for other examples of non-conventional beauty.

Where is home and how does it affect what you do?

What a great question ! Home is with my family here in the USA and Brazil. My home has been divided into two, the moment I decided to create roots so far away from my birth country. Also, I’m never “fully home” in either Brazil and USA, and at the same time I’m home in both places. Complex, right !? I love both places and have created history and bonds here and there.

Name a book that you’ve recently read which inspired you and why?

All my reading has been work-related for the past few years. My little free time I spend sewing and catching up on movies. However, I am a big fan of visually appealing books, especially those I can visually benefit from. One of my favorite photo books I have is about Vivian Maier and Street Photography. I got this book years ago, and I still time travel every time I open its pages. I love looking at those people’s faces and fashion at the time.

Lili wears FS DANA Jumpsuit made with FS CRIMSON Mid Weight Linen

What was the first thing you ever remember making on your own? Tell us about this memory.

I’m a self-taught sewist, although I’m from a family of several seamstresses, including my mom, who was always too afraid to let me use her machine (she later confessed she just doesn’t like anyone touching her sewing machine. I TOTALLY relate). But I do remember as a very young girl embroidering, hand stitching, painting…

My first real make was some simple drafted skirt and tote bag. I still have an early dress I made. It’s SO poorly fitted and constructed, but I love looking at it and thinking how far I’d come.

Who are your muses and inspiration?

I’m always looking for inspiration. and It’s very volatile. My inspiration changes with my mood and environment. The constants are colorful subjects and anything that has history and tradition to it. Of course, Frida Kahlo is my number one muse. Her love for fashion and how much she embraced it became part of her persona. At the same time, she incorporated traditional features of her culture. My fashion dream is one day have my own unique style like hers.

For my own style, I look for comfort and being unique. I also love vintage-inspired styles and urban aesthetics, and of course, color on everything !!!

Do you have a community of crafters/ makers around you or do you find you are on your own?

Sewing can be a very lonely activity. But the internet, especially Instagram has brought so many talented people to my virtual circle. I have been lucky to meet some of those people in real life and was a blast! The support to keep doing and the love we received is fundamental. I feel I have learned a lot from those people on how to sew better.

How important is it to make something with your hands?

Absolutely important. If I could handmake 100% of I consume, wear and use I would. I love the imperfections you find on a handmade item and how you can feel the presence of the maker on it.

What does success mean to you?

I hope to be a successful person through hard work and fulfilling my dreams. it has nothing to do with tons of money, but with peace of mind and how much I can support others with the work I have accomplished.

What have you chosen to make out of FS linen and why?

I chose the Dana jumpsuit free pattern from fabric-store.com.

Red is my favorite color and I recently learned jumpsuits are flattering and fun to wear.

FS CRIMSON Softened 100% Linen