If you think crocheting is for the old timers, then you better think again. Twin beauties Erika and Monika Simmons are serving up flirty & beautiful hand crocheted apparel to runways all over, and by the looks of it, they will not be stopping any time soon. Beautiful colors, sassy designs, and form fitting comfort are all intertwined lovingly in the designs of their label appropiately known as, Double Stitch. Erika and Monika talks with us about how it all started, overcoming their challenges, and the future of their label!

ymib.com: What inspired you to become interested in the art of crocheting and how did you go about learning it?

Double Stitch: We both learned how to crochet in an after school program by our 4th grade teacher Mrs. Pugh. We were pretty good at it but never really pursued it until 20 years later at age 30! We made some gifts for our family for Christmas and they liked our designs so much that we decided, rather abruptly, to start selling our designs under the label Double Stitch!

ymib.com: What are your top 3 marketing tips that you would give to an aspiring fashion designer?

Double Stitch: First, find your niche. Determine what it is that you do especially well and play that quality up in all of your marketing campaigns. Secondly, understand that marketing is the most important part of your business. There are plenty of people with good products that don't realize the importance of including a budget for advertising and marketing, to reach people beyond the scope of friends and family. Lastly, presentation is everything! It's better to present your designs on 2 professional models than 10 amateurs that may not know exactly how to sell your designs.

ymib.com: Do you remember how you both felt when you presented your first line to the fashion world?

Double Stitch: In all honesty, it is hard to remember when we even presented our first line! We do however remember a series of fashion presentations that included our clothing and it was absolutely fabulous. It was hard to believe that we were really designers! We took the opportunity to learn from the professional fashion show producers and improved our own presentation each time after that. It felt like we were in the right place, at the right time, doing what we were supposed to be doing. Fashion, entertainment, inspiration, all at one time.

ymib.com: What are the top challenges of putting on a fashion show and what are some keypoints to producing a great collection presentation/fashion show?

Double Stitch: Some of the top challenges are fittings, because your samples are a certain size that may not fit the model that is best suited for that piece perfectly. So, making garments look specially made for the model that is presenting it is a bit of a challenge. The balance between high fashion costuming, and real life "ready to wear" garments is something that needs to be thought out carefully. You want to produce a fabulous show, without everyone thinking that the garments are purely non-wearable art. Some key points to producing a great collection presentation is to create a consistent color scheme that depicts the essence of your line, while simultaneously showing variety and style.

ymib.com: Throughout your times of being a designer, what has been your biggest challenges and what has been your biggest rewards, and how did you overcome those challenges?

Double Stitch: One of the biggest challenges with our line has been choosing what shows we should and shouldn't participate in. With such a groundbreaking crochet collection, many people may want to show your line to any and everyone for entertainment purposes. Initially it was difficult to tell your friend that you may not have time to bring your whole collection to their church basement fashion show, but as time progressed we learned how to pick and choose to benefit our business as well as continue to stay inspiring and get our name out there.

Our biggest reward has been the opportunity to inspire others to "Do what they love." It is a blessing to just do you, and inspire another person that may be stuck in a dead end job or who has low self esteem. We have found that we inspire women, little girls, future entrepreneurs, family owned business', crocheters, artists, sister's with natural hair, and the list goes on. We represent so many things, and they all start with being who we are innately. Just when we start to wonder why so many people are so interested in what we are doing, we realize that it's about so much more than a line of crochet apparel: it's about a lifestyle of doing what you love with integrity, class and style! That's the biggest reward.

ymib.com: What are some of “Double Stitches” most popular designs?

Double Stitch: So far, the Double Stitch Island dress, the apron top and the multi-way shawl are the most popular. The Island dress maintains the essence of hand made femininity with a perfect fit, which challenges the doily concept of crochet. The apron top is a fun and flirty top with a back lacing that allows the wearer to easily dress it up with slacks, pumps and jewelry, or dress it down with jeans and a denim jacket. Finally the multi-way shawl is the ultimate accessory, that features a double zip that allows it to be converted into 33 different looks to achieve the perfect form flattering fit and style for each individual.

ymib.com: What is the mission of “Double Stitch” and how do you want the women who wear your pieces to feel?

Double Stitch: Our mission is to make Double Stitch available to all women world wide! We want women to feel as if they are the "Main Event," whether they are the host of the party, or just hanging out with friends.

ymib.com: What is the design process like for your crocheted pieces, and where do you find your most inspiration...any favorite creative spots?

Double Stitch: Our design process begins with a concept in our heads and then we just go for it! We don't know how to read patterns yet, so we just create our own patterns and go from there. Sometimes it stays the same throughout the whole creative process, and sometimes it changes mid garment. We like to walk on the lake, look in Victoria Secret catalogs, check out some knit and crochet magazines etc. Our inspiration comes from everywhere!

Double Stitch: "When you take the elevator up to the top, please don't forget to send it back down so that someone else can take it up" Dikembe MuTombo

ymib.com: How does it feel to be living your dream & what lies ahead in the dreams of Erika & Monika Simmons...any future goals you would like to accomplish?

Double Stitch: It feels right and natural to do what God so obviously put us here to do. We do everything to stay honest and true to what we want to represent and how we want to inspire others through the art of crochet. We dream to expose our collection to women in Italy, Africa, China, and places that we haven't yet even heard of!! We know that we can reach them because we've decided to.

Double Stitch: It is important to decide what you stand for early, so that your collection can always be "YOUR COLLECTION." Many may see your talent and attempt to lead you where they want you to go, in pursuit of their own interest. But it is your responsibility to make your own decisions. Once you loose your direction, it may be difficult to come back to the true essence of your own creativity. Be true to yourself! Double Stitch Wear