Meet Andrea DiTullio
class of 2017
Andrea in her stall at a market.
Please tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.
Since graduating from SFD in 2017 I have been selling my original designs on Etsy and at local Massachusetts markets, as well as working at SFD as a teaching assistant, tutor, and Student/Alumni Services. I have also taught children and adult sewing classes.
Andrea and model (left) in her designs, backstage at Steeped in Style fashion show at the Boston Public Library, November 2019.
I currently design women's clothing that has a vintage aesthetic, specifically 1940's and 1950's Americana. My goal is to create clothing that woman can feel confident, empowered, and beautiful while wearing, and to make fashions that play a homage to a retro era without feeling like a costume. I also strongly believe in the philosophy of "Vintage style, not vintage values", and actively advocate for progressive values in the vintage fashion community.
In addition to my SFD certificate I also have an AA in History/Government and a Certificate of World Studies. When I am not sewing garments, I am sewing quilts and playing video games!
When did you realize you wanted to pursue fashion design?
I started sewing when I was around twelve and initially I loved recreating costumes from shows, movies, and video games. I wanted to be a stitcher who would stitch things that someone else had already designed. Initially, I went to school and received my AA in history/government. After graduating, I realized I had always loved fashion design and wanted to pursue that for my future education. When I got to SFD, I learned that I actually loved designing original garments.
What is one of your favorite things about what you do?
I love the repetitive actions of the process of sewing, it is very meditative!
What has been one of your biggest challenges in fashion design and how have you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was learning not to take shortcuts. When I was sewing costumes and working in theater, the most important part is how the costume looks from a photo or from the stage. As a self-taught sewist, I had a bad habit of cutting corners because I knew I was the only one that would see the mistakes, or that they could be glossed over in a photo. Coming to SFD, I learned not to let little things like that go and not cut corners! I am so thankful for all of the faculty members that looked so closely at every seam and held me to that 1/16" of accuracy in my patterns. I really needed that outside feedback to help me push my sewing to the next level. It taught me that cutting corners and working quickly can eventually lead to more mistakes, and it's much better to take the time and do it slowly and correctly the first time!
What advice would you give to designers who are just starting out?
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. You will make them and you will get frustrated and that's ok! We are all always learning and improving. Mistakes are why erasers and seam rippers exist!
How can others support your work?
Sharing and liking social media posts is an easy way! I also love when people take photos of them in one of my designs and post it and tag it on social media.
Connect with Andrea:
Instagram: @andreamakesthings & @andreamakesthingsetsy