For Melissa Watson, fashion has always come easy. A sewer since age five, Melissa loves design in all of its forms, including the clothing and accessories she creates herself. Currently a business major in international studies at Portland State University, this self-described fashionista is a co-host of the Baby Lock-sponsored DIYStyle Web site and vodcast. Along with co-host Allyce King, Melissa offers instructions and encouragement to young designers via the Web, showing them easy ways to design and sew everything from an eco-friendly grocery tote to a versatile halter dress or tunic. Under the direction of these two young trendsetters, DIY has transformed from Do-It-Yourself into Design-It-Yourself.

Aside from being a business student and fashion designer, Melissa is also a world traveler. She has visited Europe, Australia, Mexico and Brazil, and speaks fluent French, has studied Spanish and Italian, and plans to learn Mandarin as well. “I absolutely love European fashion; I get inspired by the way people are so daring and willing to wear whatever they like, no matter how out there it may seem.” Each new location offers her an opportunity to study fashion and take in the colors, patterns and designs of other cultures and countries.

Since DIYStyle launched in October of 2007, Melissa has found herself in the midst of a whirlwind of activity. She and Allyce traveled to New York last fall to present their patterns and designs to McCall’s Pattern Company. Like Allyce, she blogged about her experience on DIYStyle, amazed at the opportunity she has to become a fashion designer. “There is no other job I can imagine being more fun than designing and sewing clothes! I hope we can bring fun and interesting fashion ideas to chicks everywhere who are looking for some creative inspiration, encouragement, or who are just getting started sewing and making something for themselves.”

Melissa looks for design ideas everywhere around her: magazines, boutiques and even the Web. In one DIYStyle blog entry, she describes designing and creating a tube scarf inspired from one of her favorite television shows. Soon, that same tube scarf will appear in an episode of the DIYStyle vodcast as a simple project that even beginning sewers can feel proud about making. “A tube scarf is trendy, different, easy to make,” Melissa commented. “It’s practical for our generation.” And that’s what DIYStyle is all about. Design-It-Yourself involves using creativity and sewing skills to develop unique, relevant projects. “We want to help people once again see that sewing is stylish, and even though it might take work, you will learn how to be creative with your personal style and wardrobe,” Melissa wrote.

Through DIYStyle, Melissa has the opportunity to reach thousands of aspiring fashion designers, giving them tips and tricks on sewing techniques, and re-igniting a passion for sewing. Melissa exemplifies the characteristics of a Stitchin’ Woman, and now uses Baby Lock machines for both DIYStyle and her own projects. She gives new meaning to DIY, and Baby Lock salutes her as an up-and-coming fashion designer.

Melissa’s Advice
“For sewers, start with something simple that you will really wear, and pick your fabrics wisely!”

“For designers, look at everything, research everything, then choose your own style for designs; with all different kinds of techniques, anyone can make a fabulous and unique design.”