Zoe Scheffy
Cass Carrier:
Zoë Scheffy, textile enthusiast, master knitter, and disco lover.
1. Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project? My passion is textiles - sewing, knitting, embroidery - and I love coming up with my own designs. I studied traditional textiles and handicraft at university, but have taken a more artistic direction with my work. I’ve been designing knitting patterns for over a decade under the name Seaside Knitting Patterns (https://www.seasideknittingpatterns.com/). You can also see my work on Ravelry (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/zoe-scheffy).
I love the marriage of math and creativity and the act of designing beautiful garments for people to make and wear. And I’m just now embarking on a project I’ve long thought about - a line of sewing patterns in a broad range of sizes. Stay tuned!
2. What inspires you to do what you do? My grandmother was a seamstress, my grandfather was a filmmaker, my mother is an artist and art teacher, and my father is a jazz musician. Self-expression, creativity, and mastery were part of my upbringing and inhabited the houses in which I was raised. My family was both my inspiration and my teachers.
It’s easy to buy ready-made clothes, but I find satisfaction in using my hands and putting the time and effort into creating garments that are special, unique, and have lovely little details.
And, I get to live out my passion for textile arts each day. I’m part of the team at A Verb for Keeping Warm in Oakland, California (https://www.averbforkeepingwarm.com/)
3. What have you reconnected with during the pandemic? And what have you let go? I’ve reconnected with my kids in a way that I had not expected. They are teenagers, and although this age is a period of breaking away for many, the pandemic has allowed us to see that family and time together are precious and can be a salve for uncertain times. It’s also been a joy and honor as their parent watching them approach the pandemic with a level of maturity and comprehension of the greater good.
My mom is known for saying “expect the unexpected,” and I’ve taken that to heart and tried to let go of my expectations for 2020 and 2021, along with beloved pastimes with grace. I have had to let go of my love of going to the movie theater, wearing lipstick (it’s too hard with a mask), and alone-time. But honestly, these are luxuries, and they’ll have their time again.
4. Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.
“You Should be Dancing” by The Bee Gees
“Washed Out” by Great Escape
5. What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?I love wearing the clothes I design and knit or sew. They are 100% me, express my personality and aesthetics, and they fit!
6. What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)? Wallet, keys, phone, sunglasses, a handkerchief, hand sanitizer, and a pen. I don’t have much cause to dress up right now during COVID, but I keep a cute Earth Tu Face Passionfruit & Yuzu lip balm in my bag for small moments of joy.
OFF THE CUFF:
Rock Or Rap? Disco
Ocean, Mountain Or Lake? Ocean
Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Cider, preferably dry
Facetime or Phone time? Phone time
Exercise Nay Or Yah? Yah. I ride my bike to and from work.
Butter Or Olive Oil? Olive Oil
Tea Or Coffee? Coffee
Thank you Zoë!
Be sure to check out Seas Side Knitting here.