Today, we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Johnson. Kristi was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Crissy Boyd.
Kristi, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started sewing around 6th grade making doll clothes and cutting up old clothes to what would amount to now as refashioning. When i got in high school I started making clothes by using simple patterns here and there and my senior year i made most of what I wore as I became bolder with my fashion. When I first became a mom I was so busy with working and raising my kids that I didn’t have much time to sew. With a failed marriage and a hectic schedule, I stopped sewing for many years. In 2010, After going through a depression due my youngest son being incarcerated, my current husband, who at the time, didn’t know that I sewed, went walking with me through Traders Village. We came across some sewing machines and I mentioned that I needed to get back into sewing. He was surprised to find out that I knew how to sew and bought me a machine. A few months later bought me another machine for my birthday. Then I began doing alterations for people under the name Kay Jay’s Alterations. My husband said I think we need to come up with a name for you. He said something that stimulates the mind the way my fashion stimulates the eye-something catchy with a play on words. When he said “Sew It Seams” I said “yes, that’s it’!
Please tell us more about your brand, Sew it seams
I am a seamstress. I do custom sewing and alterations. I design by request but often people will send me a pic of what they want and I can recreate and add my touch to it. I can be considered “Extra”. My friends and family know that I don’t do anything basic when it comes to my style. From my hair to my shoes I love to be unique. I offer that aspect to my customers when I make something for them. Stand out, be different and be you!
Crissy Boyd has been a great friend to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Crissy and your experience with them.
I met this beautiful soul through her aunt Tamera. She first came to me as an artist who was going to perform in the Black Girls Rock Performance. I love styling artist for events. When you look good, you feel good and it is reflected in your performance. Once Crissy let me know what she was interested in wearing, I went to work on it keeping in mind that this was a special day for her. Crissy looked absolutely gorgeous! In May of 2021, I was contacted to make an outfit for Crissy’s mom who had passed away. I had never met Lady Shan but was told that she was a beautiful soul and….this would be the last outfit that she would be seen in. During this time, I had several custom projects going on but I put them on pause to honor the request of the family. I wanted to make sure that her outfit would be one fit for the beauty she was inside and out-In Royal Blue for the Queen she was..
Instagram: sew_it_seamskpj
Facebook: Sew It Seams
Image Credits:
Johnnie Johnson
