about and FAQs
Welcome! I'm Meg, a sewing pattern designer, Montessori teacher, and self-proclaimed fiber junkie. I live with my college sweetheart and life partner, Patrick, in Durham, North Carolina. For three years we lived in rural Mexico where I taught three to six year-olds in a one room schoolhouse. I'm not currently teaching so that that I can focus on my pattern business, book writing, and starting a family (we are expecting a little boy this Spring!)
I live under the despotic rule of two felines who love fabric even more than I do. In the past year I've been so lucky to have found a niche as a designer, launching my sewing pattern line, Sew Liberated, (formerly Montessori By Hand) in August of 2007.
I hope you will make yourself comfortable here. My blog is a place where I visit with a cup of something warm in hand, usually at the end of the day, to help me unwind from the hustle and bustle of daily life. In it, I do my best to extract the poignant moments in life and record them for posterity - for the old lady within - and with the hope that you, as a parent, teacher, or kindred creative soul, might find some of my musings refreshing, funny, or inspiring. I owe so much of my own creative renaissance to the overwhelming font of inspiration that I've found in the blogging community. Your comments and emails are the fuel that keeps me motivated and smiling. Your wit, wisdom, and words of solidarity really do make my day. My heartfelt thanks for every kind word you offer. That said, given my many roles as designer, small business owner and cat slave, I simply cannot respond to as many of you as I would like. I will always respond to any questions in the comments by leaving a comment myself.
In the meantime, peruse the following answers to some frequently asked questions - you might find just the info you were looking for!
Un abrazo (a hug),
Meg
General and Blog-related Questions
Why were you living in Mexico? My grandfather's family is from Mexico, and while he grew up 100% American, I had always had a strong desire to rediscover my roots and learn the language and culture of my ancestors. It just so happens that I married a guy that has an affinity for the history of Latin America. (He's getting his PhD. in the subject from Duke starting in Fall 2008.) Several years back we made a decision to do something about our wanderlust and interest in Mexico/Latin America before our careers got set in stone and before starting a family. I found a job through an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) internet ad as a Montessori teacher in rural Chihuahua, Mexico. Of course, the experience has been incredible, both personally and professionally.
Why did you switch from Montessori By Hand? Why the name Sew Liberated? When I started the blog back in February of 2007, it was intended to be a collaborative resource for Montessori teachers around the world. After a while I realized that, while the interest in the subject was there, collaboration was hard to come by. I was writing all of the posts, something that I (naively) hadn't anticipated, and after a while, I made the decision to let my own voice be heard. That meant that the creative side in me that was not necessarily related to Montessori pedagogy would be given free reign. I couldn't have been happier with the results. By "coming out" as a craft enthusiast, I am able to speak about all of my passions - education, parenting, sewing, crafting, and family life. Of course, this means that the blog is no longer exclusively Montessori-focused. Switching the name also reflects upon my own eclectic educational philosophy, one that prominently features Montessori, but has at its core a belief in child-led, discovery based learning - learning that is liberated from the traditional, top-down method of education.
Sew Liberated is a name that I chose because of its many layers of meaning, and many possibilities of interpretation. For me, Sew Liberated is a way of looking at craft that is, at once, traditional and completely modern. Depending on who you are and your own preferences, you can find solace in the "traditional crafts" either as a return to a simpler, slower lifestyle, or as a fist-held-high statement of non-conformism with today's commercial culture. Personally? I identify with both reasons, and don't see them as mutually exclusive. In addition, Sew Liberated touches on the personal fulfillment we experience when we create. I know that I get such a rush when I conceive of and bring to life a project, and I'm sure you feel the same.
What kind of camera do you use? I use a Nikon D80. I have two lenses, the 18-135 kit lens and the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens. The 50mm f/1.8 is the lens that gives me those artsy shots with a shallow depth of field.
Can I link to your blog and use your photos? Do you exchange links? You are very welcome to link to my blog - I would be honored! It is, however, difficult for me to exchange links. I do have a constantly changing list of inspirational sites, and will certainly link to interesting and pertinent ideas in my posts.
As
for using my photos, I would ask that you ask my permission before posting any
of my content or photos. Thanks in advance!
What
is Montessori? What influences your educational philosophy?
My own educational philosophy is highly
influenced by the work of Paolo Freire, a radical educator who worked with the
victims of capitalism-gone-wild in the slums of
How can I implement Montessori education in the home? While I can't tell you what you need to make or purchase, I can recommend some resources:
Books
The Discovery of the Child
Other blogs and online resources:
AuntyB and Grandmama (Seasoned advice about toddlers, infants, and child raising in general.)
The Movable Alphabet
A Bit of This and a Bit of That (Jo lives in Japan and hosts some wonderful material swaps.)
My Yahoo group (which has tons of resources and gives you
access to my 3-6 albums.)
Michael Olaf (beautiful, natural toy catalogue with a clear description of the Montessori philosophy)
Where
did you get your Montessori training?
I received my M.Ed from
How can I get in touch the way they used to in the good ol' days?
Sew Liberated
762 9th Street, #641
Durham, NC 27705
Sewing Pattern-related Questions
For sewing pattern FAQ's, please visit my store website, www.sewliberated.com/faq.html
