Austin American-Statesman
The following is a reprint of the article, written by Katy Barron, which was featured in the Life & Style "Makin' It" section of the Austin American Statesman on March 24, 2005.
"She's been a jazz singer, a nonprofit worker, a graduate student and a mother. Yet Sultanate Deborah Latimer found her calling creating embellished pillows on an antique sewing machine she originally bought as home decor, never suspecting that one day it would be a tool of her trade."
Austin American-Statesman:
Why do you make pillows?
Deborah Latimer: A friend of mine gave me a pillow she made some 25 years ago. It has an interlaced ribbon pattern on one side, and it is so dear to me. About five years ago I was in Cush-Cush (a fabric store no longer open) and I saw all these ribbons. I started picking them up, laying them out on the work table, and an hour later I had a gorgeous pillow before me. It was like an epiphany. I've tried art classes, I used to sing and cross-stitch...but I never quite found the thing that was mine. I'm so happy I've found my art.
What's special about them?
Each one is handmade and unique; I never repeat a design. I use vintage materials, such as hand-dyed silk from the 1930's, hand-tatted lace from the 1800's and remnants of a Victorian sash. Each pillow back is covered in a different fabric. I have three different collections going right now: The Rococo Ribbon pillows are heavily embellished, the Bridal collection is designed for brides and bridal party gifts, and the Modern collection uses bolder colors and has a more contemporary look. People love to touch them; they're almost like functional art.
Do you have a background in sewing?
No, I didn't start sewing until 2000. I still take sewing classes! After I bought all this fabric from Cush-Cush, I signed up for a sewing class by Leslie Bonnell and made my first pillow. But it wasn't until last April, when I read about an open call for designers at The Garden Room, that I started sewing again - I barely remembered how. I whipped together two pillows, got great feedback and left there feeling like, "Wow! Maybe this is possible."
Where do you get your materials?
One phone call from a friend has connected me to all these wonderful women in Austin. I have drawers full of beautiful antique French trim I found from a local importer, and I purchase from Jane Clarke's private collection (Clarke owns Amelia's Retrovogue and Relics on South Lamar Boulevard) of vintage fabrics and embellishments. I have lots of silk I bought when we adopted our daughter in China. At the time, I had no idea what I was going to use it for. I've always been drawn to rich, vivid colors and beautiful textiles. I mix old and new materials together because the prices can get high. I buy at discount stores around town, too. I try to get as many bargains as I can.
Your name is Deborah Latimer, but your business name is Deborah Main Designs. Where does the Main come from?
Main is my grandmother's maiden name. My home is filled with passed-down heirlooms from her family. My master's degree is intergenerational studies, so the common thread is connections. I loved bringing children and older adults together. Now I'm bringing all this history together in my pillows. I want them to be used in people's homes and passed down to future generations.
How much do your pillows cost?
The price depends on the rarity of the materials - people aren't going to find these things in a store. Small pillows typically cost $135 to $600. I also do custom orders and commissions.