Interview with Hilary and Graham of African Sewfari

How did you get started with digitizing and embroidery?
Sewing and needlework has been part of Hilary's life since childhood, sewing clothes, for herself and later for the family. During 1998 the first embroidery machine was purchased. Hilary had recently completed a Beatrice Potter cross stitch alphabet sampler for her great niece and could not believe that it could have taken days on the embroidery machine instead of the months taken to complete by hand. Soon the software followed and the path to digitising began.

When Graham retired from the corporate world he needed a new past time to occupy his spare time so it seemed only natural that he try his hand at digitising. He took to it like a "duck to water" and was soon looking for graphic artists to work on his many ideas. Graham is naturally a methodical person so enjoys the pattern planning and mapping the route the embroidery machine will take when stitching a design.

Hilary is only too happy to be the chief tester and constructive critic. We work best in our own areas of the house but enjoy "brain storming" in the evenings.

Has your business changed since you started digitizing?
Yes as we now do custom digitising of logos for company apparel and such like together with the embroidery work and have helped a friend with the embroidery on her wedding dress. We are known to be willing to try almost anything.

What types of future projects are in the works?
We still have to complete our "Four Seasons Quilt Design" set and are hoping to get the inspiration for the winter designs soon.

What personal information would you like to share?
We have enjoyed 36 years of marriage and are blessed with an 8-year-old grandson who enjoys spending school holidays making memories with his Huff and Nana. We love living in Africa with its diverse life styles and the many interests living here gives. We enjoy small breaks spent in the "bush" with the wild life and its vast variety of bird life, as well as sojourns into the mountains to appreciate their magnificent splendour.