Meet Sandra Johnson of Sandra Johnson Designs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Johnson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sandra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hand sewing with my grandmother started it all.

From the beginning, the process of transforming fabric into art struck me as magical. Sewing was the foundation that led me to quilt. What started as a hobby turned my passion into an artistic reality.

I love to hand stitch using the traditional Japanese Sashiko and Boro embroidery styles and incorporating them as a decorative feature into my designs. From quilts to handbags, dresses, children’s clothing, to tableware my unconscious is the undisputed Project Manager. I am only limited by my imagination. The concrete, repetitive nature of this work frees my imagination and provides many opportunities for happy accidents and grace to influence the finished product.

My core materials for quilting are thread and cloth, however, I often employ recycled denim, yarns, dyed fabrics and stamps to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Recently, I discovered modern quilting: simple, crayoned patchworks that resonate deeply with my fiber work. Inspired and invigorated by a renewed sense of continuity, and awed by the mystery of how creation occurs, my process allows me to explore visions to enable my creative work to evolve and grow.

My work has been featured in national magazines and most recently my quilt “Love” was featured in the summer edition of Simply Moderne, an international modern quilt magazine published in Paris. I hold a B.S. in Clothing, Textiles and Design from Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. I live in Orange County, CA, with my husband Wayborn, 4 grown children and one stepchild.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After completing college I started working a full-time job and at the same time teaching sewing and quilting classes part-time. After several years my life was full of joy as I became a mother of 4 children. At this time I stopped working outside of the home and became working for the local colleges teaching quilting and sewing classes.

This all started in 1984 and today I teach each week for Santiago Canyon College and North Orange Continuing Education a total of 6 classes. And in my spare time, I lecture and hold workshops in the United States and abroad.

Sandra Johnson Designs, LLC – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a motivational speaker. My business goal is to motivate people to be the best they can be by telling them about my journey as a textile artist. I teach sewing and quilting in a workshop formate. Along with teaching and motivating my students to create using my patterns as their guide. My open and encouraging teaching style allows my students the freedom to access their creativity and explore new ideas in a fun, friendly environment.

I offer positive feedback on students’ creative decisions and also on their developing skills. The technical processes of sewing and quilt construction take patience and time to learn. Solid skills can be achieved through practice over time, but they are just a small part of creating good art. Opening up to excitement and creativity can be achieved in just one class.

By the end of the first class, each student will be able to think creatively about how to express their life experiences through the projects they create. By sharing my own skills and know-how, I am able to help students give shape to their new ideas. Many times the teaching process has found me learning from my students and expanding my own creative experience.

I believe I can unlock the creative potential of every one of my students, and help each of them reach their creative goal. What I do is create. How I show up each day is as a motivator. When do I do this is every day I am alive.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success if a am able to inspire someone to be and do what they think they are here on earth to do or be. Each and every person with whom I interact within a classroom environment or lecture setting are in my life for two reasons I believe. One for me to inspire and motivate and two for me to be inspired by or motivated by and many times they confirm something I am thinking about but are unsure of how to proceed.

If people recognize my work and are talking about the experience of being in my workshops or lectures this is my measure of success. A lasting impression and a cheerful smile incurring someone to be better and do better is my A+ of success.

Contact Info:

• Address: 8502 E Chapman Ave Orange, CA 92869
• Website: sandrajohnsondesigns.com
• Phone: 714 746-5074
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandrajohnsondesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandraJohnsonDesigns/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjdesigns59

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