In need of an update here, aren't we!? Soon to come: update on where we live, what I do for work, my life as a mother to baby Luna, my husband's job, my camera gear, and what is going on with my etsy shop!
Hi! You're curious about me? Ok, well I'll fill you in on everything...
My name is Megan Van Sipe and I'm the designer, pattern maker, seamstress, photographer, marketer, blogger, secretary, packing and shipping manager and (ok, you get it, I do everything) for Lilac Saloon. I'm living in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, Iowa with my husband Evan and my cat, Dahlia. I wake up every day and wander down the hall to my turquoise studio and work all day until the sun goes down. It has been something I've been dreaming of doing for quite a long time. When an opportunity presented itself to make my dream a reality, I had to jump on it!!
I wasn't always my own boss. Before we moved to Iowa, we lived in Ohio. I worked as a Textile Designer for Abercrombie & Fitch. I designed prints, plaids and embroideries for Hollister Betty's for just under 4 years. It was my first job out of college and I learned a lot about the industry and it helped me figure out how badly I wanted to run my own business!
I grew up in Michigan, way up in the northeast, right on the lake. It was a small and isolated town but so gorgeous. I never appreciated it's beauty until I moved away. Now, going back "home" is like a vacation! I am sure that a lot of who I am is rooted in that tiny town and I will always think of it as home.
In college, I studied Fashion Design & Merchandising and also got a Minor in Business Administration. Working for myself was always in the back of my mind, even then...
Although my roots are in fashion, I do a wide variety of things, most of which do not include making clothes. It is rare that I make clothes anymore! I make pretty much everything else, instead. I do a lot of embroidery and make flowers out of fabric. I love baking, crochet, making fabric prints by hand. I'll try any new art or craft.
I have been learning (teaching myself) photography for the past year and a half and it has been one of my favorite creative outlets. If my camera is in my hands, I am happy. What gear do I use? I'm happy to share that with you.
- Canon Rebel XSi
- Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM
I'm 27 years old and have been married for 2 years (almost 3, now). Evan and I have been together since High School! We met and started dating when we were 17 years old - the classic "High School Sweetheart" story. We've both grown and changed so much since we first met - but the best part is that we've grown together. We sit on the couch and work on embroidery projects while watching The Office on a Friday night and are in heaven.
My favorite treat is chocolate peanut-butter cup ice cream. My favorite thing to listen to while working are NPR podcasts (This American Life, The Moth, Studio 360). My two favorite movies are Dumb & Dumber and Romy & Michele's High School Reunion. I can recite both movies word-for-word but try not to do it because that is annoying. My favorite season is Autumn and I love a warm day with a cool breeze and leaves blowing and rustling in the wind.
I'm inspired by Iceland, vintage fabrics, hand sewing techniques and fabric manipulation, Alexander McQueen, Natalia Vodianova, aqua and red, vintage photography, exploring ghost towns and taking photos.
I think you know everything about me now! Feel free to introduce yourself - I'd love to know you, too!
