{"id":6253,"date":"2025-07-22T01:55:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T01:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/denimupcyclers.com\/?p=6253"},"modified":"2025-08-22T12:44:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T12:44:10","slug":"dans-latelier-de-kathleen-resnick-collectionneuse-de-machine-a-coudre-vintage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/denimupcyclers.com\/en\/2025\/07\/22\/dans-latelier-de-kathleen-resnick-collectionneuse-de-machine-a-coudre-vintage\/","title":{"rendered":"IN KATHLEEN RESNICK'S STUDIO | Collector of Vintage Sewing Machines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I\u2019m so excited to see how the Denim Upcyclers<\/em> community is growing!<\/p>\n

When I created the Denim Upcyclers<\/em> group back in 2016, there were about 700 of us, posting once in a while. But in 2023, something went jigga-BOOM \u2014 thousands of new people started joining every single week. I was freaking out (in a good way). For so long, I felt totally alone and misunderstood in my obsession with denim upcycling\u2026 and suddenly, I wasn\u2019t alone at all. <\/p>\n

Somewhere around 200,000 members, Kathleen Resnick reached out. She wanted to help \u2014 to become a moderator. I\u2019ll admit it: I needed help. But accepting help isn\u2019t my strong suit\u2026 I\u2019m more of a \u201cdo-it-myself\u201d kind of person\u2026But she followed up. More than once. And honestly, people who follow up and know what they want\u2026 that\u2019s kind of irresistible to me. \ud83d\udc99<\/p>\n

We had a virtual call. I wanted to make sure her intentions were good. And I immediately liked her.<\/p>\n

She talks a lot (which works for me \u2014 I just get to listen \ud83d\ude04), and she\u2019s funny, kind, and generous. A retired nurse, she had to stop working due to health reasons. She has four grandkids and is very involved in their lives. She\u2019s a caregiver by nature, without getting caught up in the fluff.<\/p>\n

I asked her what her dream for the Denim Upcyclers<\/em>, and she answered:<\/p>\n

\u201cA Denim Upcyclers cruise.\u201d She had me at cruise. (No promises for next year\u2026 but hey, we\u2019re allowed to dream, right? \ud83d\ude06)<\/p>\n

So Kathleen joined the adventure as a moderator. A year and a half later, as I\u2019m starting to highlight different members of the community and collaborate on blog posts and videos, I thought: what better place to start than with Kat?<\/p>\n

She collects vintage sewing machines and offered to write a guest post for the blog. I loved the idea! And to take it even further, we recorded a video interview together.<\/p>\n

It was supposed to be simple\u2026 but well, if you know me\u2026 \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n

I\u2019m still a beginner when it comes to interviewing, and I\u2019ve learned that part of the job is guiding the conversation and keeping some focus. Not exactly my strong suit \u2014 it\u2019s way too fun to ask all the questions!<\/p>\n

So what happened?
\u2192 She showed us a machine,
\u2192 then her kitty draft stopper,
\u2192 then a quilt,
\u2192 another vintage sewing machine,
\u2192 an upcycled denim bag,
\u2192 then her guest room (aka her studio),
\u2192 her secret stash of colored denim\u2026 hidden in the bathroom (!!),
\u2192 her favorite scissors, her pressing station,
\u2192 and of course, her beloved Kenmores.<\/p>\n

Now add in a few Zoom tech issues, some awkward angles while she films with her phone, me stretching out words forever while I try to remember my English (\u201ceeeeeeehhh\u2026\u201d), and voil\u00e0: a 2.5-hour interview! \ud83d\ude06<\/p>\n

What I have learned?
Let\u2019s just say\u2026 I\u2019ve got a few humble pies to eat as an interviewer... Let\u2019s say probably a whole loaf. \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n

But I kept the best parts, edited it down to 25 minutes, and I\u2019m honestly really proud of it. It\u2019s not an HBO production, but it\u2019s made with a whole lot of love \u2014 for Kathleen, and for you all. \ud83d\udc99<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 Read Kathleen\u2019s article here<\/strong><\/span><\/a>
\ud83d\udc49 Watch the interview here<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Enjoy!<\/strong>

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Kathleen denim upcycler sewing studio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kat\u2019s sewing space? Her guest bedroom! She often uses the bed as a main workspace. Her chairs are on wheels, and under every table, there are plastic bins filled with jeans waiting for a new life. Of course, simply surrounded with vintage sewing machines. She doesn\u2019t sort her denim in a specific way, but she has one bin for scraps and one for full jeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Her secret stash? Her colored denim is hidden in her bathroom drawers! \ud83d\ude04<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kat\u2019s Favorite Vintage Sewing Machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kat owns more than 11 vintage sewing machines, with a soft spot for Kenmore models. She even wrote a dedicated guest blog post about her collection.<\/p>\n

In it, she also shares:<\/p>\n

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  • her tips for buying second-hand sewing machines,<\/li>\n
  • a denim thickness test on each machine,<\/li>\n
  • and a speed test between her favorite models.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \ud83d\udc49 Read Kat\u2019s blog post on vintage machines here<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Kat\u2019s Denim Creations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Photo credit : Kathleen Resnick<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    From bag making to textile art, Kat explores it all with creativity and heart.\nHer most viral post? A super cute kitty-shaped draft stopper! \ud83d\udc31<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udc49 Click here to check more inspirations from Kathleen<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Kat\u2019s Ironing Station<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Okay..I have a bit of a crush on Kat\u2019s iron.The cord is attached to the base, not the iron itself, so it\u2019s never in the way. Plus, it\u2019s pointy on both ends, which makes ironing seams a breeze. Her setup is small, but as she says: you don\u2019t need anything bigger! <\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udc49 Shop Kat\u2019s Panasonic iron here (Amazon link)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Kat\u2019s Trick for Deconstructing Jeans <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    I LOVE her method:<\/p>\n

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    1. She snips into the side seam of the jeans with her favorite Fiskars scissors,<\/li>\n
    2. Then she just rips it by hand!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The denim naturally tears along the grain. It\u2019s quick\u2014and super satisfying.
      Kat says she really loves doing it! \ud83d\ude04<\/p>\n

      \ud83d\udc49 Shop Kat\u2019s Fiskars scissors here (Amazon link)<\/strong><\/span>
      \ud83d\udc49 Want to know more about fabric straight grain click here<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      What Kat Uses to Pound Denim before sewing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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      When sewing multiple layers of denim, flattening those thick seams can be a game-changer.
      Kat\u2019s tools? A chunk of quartz\u2026 and a big rock! <\/p>\n

      \u201cIt\u2019s a great stress release,\u201d she says! stress release<\/em>, selon elle!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Watch the Interview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      It\u2019s funny, inspiring, packed with tips\u2026 and 100% Denim Upcyclers \ud83d\udc99<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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