Introducing Sarah Ervin, Fabric Department Lead!

With a miniature, unicorn-stickered sewing machine, I started sewing my own clothes around age seven—upcycled Franken-garments I couldn’t get away with wearing to school—and never looked back. I’ve since gained some professional experience constructing theater costumes, altering vintage for resale, and working as a personal stylist for the last seven years (you can check out my freelance business Mindfully Styled). Now, my love of fabric is mostly channeled into my colorful, never-boring job here at Austin Creative Reuse. I’m really happy to be working at a place where I get to be creative, re-discover the value in unwanted things, and connect with so many interesting, funny, and inspiring people on a daily basis.

I’m originally from Arkansas, where I got my bachelor’s in psychology from Hendrix College, but I also spent six chilly years in Chicago, where I got my master’s in arts management. I missed the south too much, and Austin felt like home the minute we got here, eight years ago this past January. I now live in North Austin with my husband Brian, our adventurous cat Dandridge (aka Dandy, but usually just Babins), and my in-laws Tim and Susan who will be splitting their time with us and my sister-in-law in St. Louis. 

When I’m not working, organizing my calendar, or sewing camp shirts with all the repurposed fabric I’ve accumulated from ACR, I love to read (connect with me on Goodreads!), practice yoga, and spend as much time as possible outdoors. Please send me all your book, camping/hiking, or Austin patio recommendations!

Some semi-interesting facts about me: I accidentally became a Pinfluencer about ten years ago, I’m in a very unproductive ambient band, and I bowl backwards. I also hand-embroidered our save-the-dates on vintage postcards and they were published in the book Design: Paper from independent Austin-based press Public School.