Staff Interview: Rebekah Joy

8/14/2026

We are beginning a fun new series here on the blog! We would like to interview some of our family/business partners so you can get to know us a little better, and learn more about what motivates, entertains, and interests us. We're starting today with:

Rebekah Joy

Hello, Rebekah! Why don't you tell us a little about yourself?
OK, I will try not to be too awkward 😉. I am the youngest of my family at twenty-two, and a business partner in Gathering of Goods. I do sew, but most of the time, I can be found cleaning and *trying* to manage things around the household. Cleaning, laundry, cooking and sewing are my priorities in that order. For now, those are my jobs.

We certainly all appreciate it! When did you start sewing?
That is a hard question! Ever since I was maybe under seven or eight I would practice handsewing buttons to scrap pieces of fabric, and then later on, I started to sew a small nine-patches quilt. I did other kinds of stitching, too, when I was younger, some of which I don’t even remember doing! In fact, one day I was looking through a kitchen cabinet, and came across this large white fringed napkin with red embroidery in the corner. It gave me a pause until I realized that it was mine, and that I had stitched those clumsy little Xs!

Is there a main item you sew, and what is it?
The products that I predominantly sew in the shop are the Womens’ Waistband and the Womens’ Sash. I don’t particularly remember when I began sewing them, though, so don’t ask me about that!

Those are such popular items! They are perfect for finishing an outfit. Do you sew your own clothes?
Yes, and I love it – most of the time. My mother and older sister, of course, made my clothes for me until about five years ago when I sewed my first piece of clothing for myself – a Yoked Dress with a sash – and I have been, for the most part, sewing my own clothes ever since. Besides cooking, I would most strongly encourage any of my peers to make an effort towards sewing something. It is satisfying, to feel that you can control, tailor and fit your own clothing to yourself. For us young people, we are the generation going back while continuing forward – especially in this age of tutorials and videos, try it at least once!

Excellent advice! Do you have a favorite item in the shop?
Hands down the Womens’ Yoked Dress! My wardrobe is mainly made up of these beauties now. During the winter, I have flannel and corduroy, and in summer, cotton. I always have a few ‘special’ dresses reserved for Sundays and particularly nice occasions. And every single one of them, although the same style, are different: some are long and full with sashes, some others are shorter with narrower skirts and no sashes (sashes make the skirt shorter just naturally, for your information). The style is so versatile: in the winter for warmth wear those thermals underneath the flannel and corduroy dresses, and in the summer, pair those fun and bright colors with matching sandals!

Versatile indeed! And you look lovely in all of them.
What are some things you do for Gathering of Goods that is not sewing?
               I do some of the product photography, modeling, and, occasionally, I make videos for the business. The first one I think I made for YouTube by myself was Gathering of Goods Christmas 2023, and the next was Christmas 2024. I enjoy the creativity aspect and sharing especially rare peeks into our holidays with customers/potential customers. Modeling is a love/hate relationship, I confess; maybe some of you can actually see that sometimes! Product photography is for me…difficult. For others it’s so easy and I envy that, because I can struggle with it. But when all is said and done, if the manikin doesn’t lean to one side too much and the lighting works out well, and the picture turns out at least a little how I am envisioning it (let’s not go into color problems here!), it doesn’t matter as much.

We love your videos! They are so peaceful, and very creative. Do you have any new videos coming up?
               I am hoping to produce one showing a hot weather week this summer. We will see if it ever makes it to the final cut!

That sounds fun! What do you like to do in your spare time that isn't shop related?
               History, genealogy, writing and language, almost in that order! And they all reflect on each other. History and genealogy without each other are nearly void, so are language and writing. And because I am the third generation of Brazytis’s born on US soil, genealogy and language are inseparable, as is writing and history! So, yes, in my spare time, I will be found either scrolling parish records on Geneteka, co-writing my current story with Ruth 😉, (researching for it), or, on the other hand, enjoying the newest vlog from one of my favorite YouTubers!

Do you have a favorite quote or verse to share?
               “And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
               And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
Ez. 37:13-14

A bonus question, just for fun: If you had to name a pet, and could only use sewing terms or tools, what would that name be (and what kind of pet)?
               Ah, that’s a hard one! Perhaps a little terrier named Snips, or a cat called Ruffles!

That is adorable, Rebekah! We’ll have to remember those names for future pets. Thank you for talking with us!
               My pleasure! Dziekuje i dzien dobry!

Enjoy one of Rebekah's Summer Videos!

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