Aiguille Et Fil

Meet Liz Spencer! Her company is called Aiguille Et Fil, which means "needle and thread" in French and she describes herself as a auto-didactic dressmaker. Her studio is located in her home in Northwest Portland. She also writes a fun blog. I had a great time learning more about Liz and I think you will too. Read on...

Q: Do you have another job or is Aiguille Et Fil your full-time living?
A: I have a day job working as a designer/typesetter at Oblation Papers & Press in the Pearl District. I also organize and coordinate workshops at Oblation (letterpress, papermaking, book arts). I would love to have Aiguille Et Fil be my day job and do clothing design full time! My goal for this next year is to do just that. But for now, I'm glad to be working in the creative arts in some capacity.

Q: How did you get started with your current medium? And how long have you been dressmaking?
A: I've always been interested in fiber arts and I am also a skilled knitter. Clothing construction is something I started a year or so ago. I began by sewing handbags for fun, which grew to selling them at crafts fairs and eventually to selling online through etsy.com. Then an artist friend of mine was working on a fine art project, a tulle gown - so i started sewing out of necessity to assist her! After completing my first garment, I was hooked. I enjoy the challenge and limitless design avenues that sewing handbags just can't offer. I utilize found, vintage fabrics and love mixing it up with re-purposed materials and new, organic fabrics. I also love incorporating bold color and large graphic prints.
Q: Where do you sell your work?
A: I've been selling dresses for about nine months through my shop on etsy. I hope to expand to boutiques in Portland, Seattle and perhaps California in the coming year. The Portland Mercury's 4th Annual Spring Fashion Show featured me last spring as an up-and-coming fashion designer.
Q: What are your three favorite things about Portland?
A: All the parks...especially Forest Park. I also love the enthusiastic regard and respect for Portland history and the importance of it's preservation as the area develops. Last but not least, I love the microbrewery mania.

Q: Do you listen to music in the studio? What are your favorites?
A: Currently, it's Yelle (fun French pop), Blitzen Trapper (the new album is their best yet), Joni Mitchell, Blind Pilot and ESG.
Q: Describe a perfect day when you aren't hard at work in your studio or your day job.
A: Let's see...surfing at the coast with a friend in the morning, exploring a used bookshop in the afternoon and then a bike ride over the St John's Bridge at sunset. Oh, and I'd have to throw in some candy consumption too!