Hi! I’m Erin Gilday.

This is me in 4 bullet points:

• I’m a 4th generation seamstress.
• I live in Portland, OR.
• I sew and write stuff. Sometimes I write about sewing. Sometimes I sew about writing.
• I wrote a book.
 

Not satisfied?  OK, here’s 12 more:

• I am the loving and devoted mother of 1 bunny (BunBun) and 1 dog (Roxy).
• Thrift stores help me feel normal.
• My favorite food is potatoes but I am also partial to sauerkraut and miso soup.
• I love dollhouses, classic cars, costume dramas and 70′s horror movies.
• Libraries are my churches.
• I collect vintage sewing patterns and craft magazines.
• I like square dancing, tap dancing, hippie dancing and booty dancing but not in that order.
• My family sold sheepskin slippers at street fairs in the 80′s + early 90′s before the advent of pop-up tents and UGGs…
• …which means I grew up with a clicker press in my garage. WHOMP.
• My life is one, big, on-going struggle with the overuse of – dashes – exclamation points!!! AND CAPS.
• My front teeth are jaggedy because I was in the habit of using them to cut off stray threads instead of scissors. I do not recommend this practice.
• I can probably kick your ass at Boggle.
 

My sewing patterns and craft culture features have appeared in….

I’ve taught at the following locations…

 

Feminism and Fiber Arts (a 12-week for-credit undergraduate class)

ongoing Arts and Crafts Workshops for incarcerated women in Santa Cruz county through IOWP

Basic Survival Sewing

Sustainable Patchwork: Sewing 9-Patch Pin Cushions

Sewing 9-Patch Pillows

Seminole Patchwork 101

and I’ve been mentioned at these fine crafty establishments….

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Wanna see my new sewing room?

……………….

Contact Me!

Got a question?  Or a present?  Want me to write an article for your magazine, design a sewing pattern for your book, or facilitate a sewing/mending/patchwork/creativity/etc. workshop for your organization?  I’m probably game. You should ask me! You can reach me via email at patchworkunderground@gmail.com.