Malissa Long

Malissa Long is a passionate seamstress and lover of “all things sewn,” and she finds solace and joy in the world of fabric and thread. Her creative journey is a meditative dance, the rhythmic hum of her sewing machine echoing her inner rhythm. With every stitch, she transforms raw materials into works of art, each piece imbued with her love and care. A skilled up-cycler, fashion designer, product developer, and fiber artist, Malissa constantly pushes boundaries in non-traditional art. Growing up near Beaumont, TX, Malissa was surrounded by a family of makers. Her mother and grandmother, both skilled seamstresses, ignited a passion within her. This led her to study Fashion Merchandising at Sam Houston University, where she refined her sewing skills and added expertise in patternmaking.

Malissa’s talent blossomed when a client at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics in Austin entrusted her with creating sample garments for a children’s clothing collection in 2003. This experience ignited a lifelong pursuit of design. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Malissa has honed her skills in various practical applications. She has worked in drapery workrooms and production settings and even contributed to sewing military and aircraft first samples. This diverse experience has further enriched her technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.

Malissa’s design aesthetic leans towards timeless elegance, creating “new classics” for boutique, cocktail, and evening wear. Yet, she thrives on challenges, using anything that sparks inspiration to fuel her creativity. Malissa’s artistry extends beyond the studio. She actively engages in community collaborations, transforming scrap fabric, sequins, and aluminum cans into vibrant and meaningful creations. She’s a pioneer of plein air sewing, capturing nature’s beauty with her sewing machine. Her passion for fiber art fuels her experimentation, pushing boundaries with unconventional materials.

Committed to sustainability, she primarily uses recycled or eco-friendly fabrics. Malissa’s passion extends beyond her creations. She thrives on collaboration, sharing her expertise with other local designers. Her infectious love of sewing inspires others to explore their creativity. Malissa’s story is one of passion, innovation, and an advocate for the non-traditional visual arts. She embodies the spirit of a true artist, adding her passion to every stitch.

Plein Air Sewing Demonstrations: A public performance showcasing the art of sewing outdoors, inspiring creativity and sustainability.

Community Textile Art Projects: Collaborative installations that engage the public in creating large-scale textile art pieces.

Sewing Fabric and Metal: A workshop exploring combining fabric and metal elements in textile projects.

Community-Oriented Project: Happy to write a proposal of a creative project to fit your community based on my skills.

Note: Fees are subject to negotiation and may vary based on specific project requirements, travel expenses, and the duration and complexity of the program.

Public Presentations and Projects:

Performance Fee: $50 per hour interacting with the public

Travel and lodging expenses are to be negotiated per project.

All Workshops:

Workshop Fee: $20 per hour per participant (minimum fee 2 students applies)

Materials fee: per participant varies based on the project

Additional Considerations:

Travel and Lodging: These expenses will be billed separately and reimbursed based on standard rates or a negotiated per diem.

Materials: The cost of materials for workshops and projects can be included in the overall fee or billed separately.

Equipment and Supplies: If specialized equipment or supplies are required, additional fees may apply.

Project Scale and Complexity: The final fee may vary depending on the size and scope of the project.

Please note that these are general fee guidelines. Specific fees will be determined based on the unique requirements of each project and negotiated with the host organization.

Educational and Community Outreach:

Intro to Pattern Making: A workshop teaching the fundamentals of pattern drafting and design.

Know Your Sewing Machine: A comprehensive guide to understanding and operating sewing machines.

Learn to Sew: A beginner-friendly workshop covering basic sewing techniques.

Read a Pattern Envelope: A workshop teaching participants to decipher pattern instructions and bring their sewing projects to life.

Creative Workshops:

Make a Travel Reading Pillow: A workshop teaching participants to create a portable and cozy reading companion.

Making Pillows: A workshop offering various pillow-making techniques, from simple to decorative.

Making a Scarf Dress: A fun and creative workshop for a whole-cloth garment that fits many body types.
Make a zipper pouch: learn a few sewing skills and be introduced to production sewing.

Experimental Textile Techniques:
Sewing Fabric and Metal: A workshop exploring the art of combining fabric and metal elements in textile projects.

Marbling on Fabric: A workshop exploring the art of creating unique patterns on fabric using marbling techniques.

Printing on Fabric with Found Objects: A workshop using everyday objects to create custom fabric prints.

Scarf Dyeing Workshop: A workshop experimenting with tissue paper dying to create beautiful scarves for ages 4 and up.

Technical Skills:
Serger Threading Basics: A workshop teaching the art of threading a serger for clean and professional finishes.

Industrial Sewing Machine Authorization: A workshop teaching how to operate advanced sewing machines for professional-grade projects.

Textile Restoration and Preservation:
Textile Restoration and Preservation Workshops: Workshops and demonstrations on the preservation and restoration of historical textiles, teaching techniques for repairing and conserving heirloom garments, quilts, and other textile artifacts.

Long runs the Doc Sunback Film Festival in Mulvane, KS and so June of 2025 is booked for that event. Please contact her 4-6 months in advance to book your dates and schedule classes and performances.