Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Casanova.
Hi Christina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Dandiprat’s Finery is an ongoing journey that weaves my love for my craft with my joy for Faire. I sometimes refer to it as no fabric left behind because there is beauty in scraps and discarded fabric. This story is a glimpse into my past world. As a child, I would watch my grandmother sew clothes for my siblings and me. Trips to the fabric store meant that I got to run my tiny hands over bolts of cloth and find the patterns that would magically be turned into what I would wear during those summers in the mountains.
Fabrics began to sing to me when I was about six years old. Then, when my mother quilted with deft hands and tiny stitches, I asked for fabric scraps. With her, my stillness and stitches were of utmost importance. My first attempts were clumsy and uncoordinated, but still, I muddled on. I made dolls and dresses for them and steadily improved. Yet, in my teenage years, I stopped sewing. I had children, and their needs were a top priority. As these tiny humans grew, I was excited to share my love of Renaissance Festivals with them. I envisioned dressing up with them and being whisked away to another time and place where magic and turkey legs were what mattered. The problem was that most costumes were cheaply made, with a high price tag, and uncomfortable fabric – especially during sweltering hot days. So, I dove headfirst into creation, with drafted patterns based on internet proportions and still trying to figure out what I was doing. It was an adventure!
Those first outfits were ones I was exquisitely proud of. They had more hours of seam ripping than sewing, but I had created them. My children were just as excited as I did about my creations and began to draw outfit requests, complete with color design. I didn’t look back and put together some incredibly intricate outfits. Some of them have been worn by more than two or three children!
Fast forward thirteen years, about 600 skill points, and lo and behold, tiny humans are still under my care. The children’s garb situation hasn’t changed much, so I keep changing and redrafting the patterns based on the feedback from my kidlets and the annoyances I’ve been frustrated with as the creator. My sewing machine and serger are busy creatures who chide me when not in use. When I say I adore this craft, I am being joyfully honest. I have never regretted the time spent investing in creation, and each one of the people who have purchased from me can tell that in every stitch.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It seems trite to say that COVID was quite the obstacle, but it created a path that no one had ever prepared for. I began creating more then, but my entire world was upended, as in any B-film dealing with life lessons. Not only did I learn that I hated making shirts, but Nero could also be found playing in the ashes of my broken marriage. I found comfort in front of my machine, renamed my business, and strove forward to begin anew. My children are some of my biggest supporters, and I look forward to sharing all ranges of success with them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I am a seamstress specializing in a tiny human garb for Renaissance Festivals. I am constantly evaluating how to create garb that can grow with a child, be reversible, and be comfortable. I added grommets at the side seams, just like adult garb has. Then, they decided that smaller clothing needed to be more accessible and laced these items with elastic cording. Every time I have an “Ah-Ha moment,” it is one that I’m proud of. These tiny details in creation, paired with meticulous work, set me apart from all others.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see myself drafting and putting into production more pieces that can be worn to Ren Fests. I look forward to upgrading my machines to industrial grade. Industry-wide, I don’t see the fascination with the past ever going away. Historical reenactment is around for a reason, our past tells such a story, and as we dabble in it, it strengthens our connection to our history.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandipratsFinery
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandipratsfinery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dandipratsfinery
