Sew Liberated Patterns: An article about Meg McElwee

Would you like to read the article about Sew Liberated patterns that I wrote for the September 2012 issue of Sewing World magazine?

This month we meet Meg McElwee, the pattern designer whose passions lie not just in sewing and crafting, but also in education and family life. BY ALICE SYNGE

Interviewing Meg McElwee, the woman behind the pattern label Sew Liberated, has been a great joy. You can’t help but admire this woman; her refreshing approach to life and living, and the creativity that drives it is truly inspirational.

Meg lives in North Carolina with her husband and two small boys. In these fast moving times of high commerciality she clearly has some very strong values based on the importance of family, the environment and a great respect for others and her surroundings. This provides the foundation that underpins her work. “My patterns feature simple, clean lines, and what I would call a ‘rustic, bohemian-chic’ sensibility. I design for women like myself, who like to wear comfortable, flattering clothes” says Meg of her designs. But, don’t take this ‘rustic bohemian’ the wrong way, Meg’s direction is a truly modern one, reflecting the more sensitive way that we are all trying to live right now, whilst definitely keeping it chic.

Meg also designs clothes patterns for children, and the Sew Liberated children’s designs have an easy wear, easy care quality that reminds you that children should be allowed to be children, and their clothes should enable them to play and explore the world in comfort.

Meg has a background in education and before launching Sew Liberated Patterns taught three to six year-olds in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Mexico. “My own eclectic educational philosophy, is one that prominently features Montessori, but has at its core a belief in child-led, discovery based learning - learning that is liberated from the traditional, top-down method of education”. This learning approach is one that translates very obviously into her childrens sewing patterns, and particularly her latest book ‘Growing Up Sew Liberated’ which is all about sewing items for young children that are both functional and educational. “The projects are organized in chapters that mirror a child’s day – projects for waking up and getting dressed, projects for cooking and homemaking, projects for indoor and outdoor play, and projects for bedtime” says Meg. However, this philosophy of exploratory life-learning clearly has a huge influence over the way that Meg approaches all elements of her life.

As well as the recent book, we’ve just seen three new Sew Liberated patterns hit our shops: the Mariposa Tee; the Aurelia Cardigan; and the Bohemian Carpet Bag. The Mariposa Tee and the Aurelia Cardigan are unique tops that use knit fabric alongside woven, which gives both pieces an ‘elegant-cosy’ look. “They're a blast to sew” speaks Meg of the tops “and are totally approachable projects even for someone who has never before sewn with knit fabrics. You'll also learn some fun, new techniques with these patterns that you can apply to your other sewing projects.” The generously sized Bohemian Carpet Bag is set to become a classic. “It’s my go-to travelling bag” admits Meg “it makes a great carry-on, or a stylish beach bag.” Brilliantly, the bag's construction is deceptively simple, thanks to a tubular frame closure.

We’ve also got another couple of patterns to look forward to. Due for release in October, are two new dress/tunic patterns from Sew Liberated. Going on the massive and continuing success of the Schoolhouse Tunic (have you made one yet?) which was released in 2009, we are really excited about these. “One pattern will use woven fabric, and the other will use a knit” says Meg.

When we get on to the subject of the ‘grand plan’ for Sew Liberated, Meg admits that she would like to expand. “Right now I can only come out with 4-5 new designs annually. It would be great to come out with more.” And Meg continues “Eventually, I would like to have a team of designers that do the work that I currently do, so that Sew Liberated could always have several interesting designs in the pipeline.” You can appreciate her desire for this direction; “It's such a busy time in our lives, with two young children and my husband in graduate school. We try to balance work and family, but sometimes that is very hard.”

This appreciation of the reality of her situation is humbling, and Meg shares with us her understanding to be content with her present abilities. “I really believe I must embrace the concept of creativity beyond simply making things. At this time in my life, with so many things on my plate, I must be kind to myself and be content with knowing that my sons see me living creatively every day, even if that means I don't make a lot of tangible goods with my hands. You needn't feel guilty for not being in the time or place in your life where you can sew/knit all sorts of things for your children. Just re-route your creativity to living, rather than making. We ALWAYS have time to live - sometimes we don't have the time to make. The making will come. For everything there is a season.”

Meg clearly works extraordinarily hard at making her home a haven of serenity, encouragement and stimulation for her family. She clearly has a motivation to live by her passions of “education, parenting, sewing, crafting, and family life”, and she’s making us happy too as she keeps producing Sew Liberated patterns for us to enjoy.

You can follow the online journal that is Megs blog at http://www.sewliberated.typepad.com/

Related Products
All Sew Liberated patterns
Mariposa Tee
Aurelia Cardigan
Bohemian Carpet Bag

Backstitch talks to the Designers: Sarai Mitnick of Colette Patterns

Another article from the series that I wrote for Sewing World magazine. This time I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarai from Colette Patterns:

Working out of a studio in Portland, Sarai and her design assistant Caitlin steadily turn out the incredibly clean, elegant and chic sewing patterns that we know as Colette. The studio they work from is in an old industrial building in Portland and has an entire wall made of factory windows extending to the ceiling. ‘Our view is a mix of old industrial buildings, trees, and the beautiful green hills to the west. Oh, and a train runs directly under the window, which can be noisy. But we're used to it’ says Sarai. From this industrial environment come the most beautifully produced classic, feminine patterns with a modern approach. ‘The classic elements come from the lines and details of the designs, but what makes them modern is that they're practical. They fit into a modern wardrobe, they can be styled in different ways, and they're easy to wear’ explains Sarai.

Remarkably for someone who produces such technically perfect and instructive patterns, Sarai is almost entirely self taught. ‘I really enjoy learning difficult skills, and I have found that a hands on approach is the way I learn best’ says Sarai. She got her first sewing machine, a ‘not at all fancy’ inexpensive model, when she was sixteen and her grandmother began to teach her to sew. ‘At the time I had no idea that sewing was such a complex skill. I actually think that’s a good position to start from sometimes, because I wasn’t intimidated by it.’

Sarai’s tastes have changed a lot since her first self-made garment which was ‘a very simple A-line sheath dress in a quilting cotton, with some scratch lace at the hem’, and now draws on designs and styles from the past. ‘My inspiration varies quite a bit. Right now I am really into the classic styles of the early sixties, but I like to mix things up, finding details from different time periods and incorporating them together in interesting ways’ she explains. ‘I'm really interested in past "retro" trends too. For example, the way the Biba look of the 1970s drew on fashion from the 1930s, or the influence of 1920s fashion on the gamine styles of the 1960s. It's always intriguing to see familiar things put into a new context.’

This study of past styles is evident in all Colette Patterns including the three new designs just released for Fall. All three of these new patterns are suitable for beginners, so anyone can make them! ‘I really enjoy designing beginner patterns with interesting details, since I know that many beginners are looking for something to sew beyond the basic wrap skirt. I really feel these three patterns alone could form the basis of a very chic mini wardrobe.’ Sarai explains.

The first new release is Peony, a classic boatneck dress with a removable cummerbund style belt. It's a very flattering dress that can be made in many fabric combinations and with either short or long sleeves, so adaptable for any season. ‘I was very much inspired by Audrey Hepburn in creating this dress, and wanted to do something with an utterly classic style that could be interpreted in many different ways by the seamstress.’

Jasmine is the new blouse pattern. It's a beautiful, versatile blouse that can be made with a contrasting collar, or a longer collar that ties in a bow. ‘Because it's cut on the bias, there's no need for sewing closures, which I know many sewists appreciate, and it has a very graceful drape’ says Sarai.

Finally, there is Clover, the first trouser pattern from Colette! ‘My customers have been asking for a simple and easy pattern like this for such a long time’ says Sarai. ‘Again, I definitely had Audrey Hepburn on the brain in designing these. I wanted a pair of pants that would be chic, a little retro, but very easy to wear’. The Clover trousers are slim, and can be made either in ankle length, or a mid-calf length. They have optional flat in-seam pockets at the front and a side zip.

Sarai has also just written a book. ‘The Colette Sewing Handbook’ is released in the US mid-November and will be available here in the UK shortly after. The Colette patterns are well known for their terrific instructions, with each one bound to teach you new clever tricks. The book, which is covers techniques through projects, is therefore much anticipated. ‘I’d realised that there are a few concepts that are really central to having a great sewing experience: planning your projects, working with patterns, getting a good fit, understanding fabric, and finishing’ says Sarai. All the lessons in the book are structured around these five fundamentals, and each fundamental has its own project, so readers take a hands-on approach. ‘I wanted to provide something that was more like a guide, something that lets you build skills gradually and focus on the things that will make the biggest difference to your sewing.’

The new styles and the book demonstrate that Sarai clearly has her finger on the pulse when it comes to what the modern sewist wants. ‘I imagine that my customer is someone like myself: a creative woman who sews both as a creative outlet and because she wants a wardrobe that means something to her. I think many women today are tired of the cycle of spending on trends or clothes that don’t last. We want to make more thoughtful decisions about what we wear, and handmade clothing is an incredibly fulfilling way to do that.’

Related Products:
All Colette Patterns
Jasmine Blouse
Peony Dress
Clover Pants

Backstitch Talks to the Designers: Jamie Christina

This is an article I wrote for Sewing World magazine. I thought you guys would like to read it too, so you can find out a little more about Jamie Christina:

An interview with Jamie Christina, the pattern designer who is bringing some Californian sunshine to the UK by way of her dress patterns.

Although not a traditional one, Jamie Christina’s story will be familiar to many. An example of how life can lead you along a path that you yourself would never have predicted. A stay-at-home mum to three children, she turned to fabric and sewing as a creative outlet. Inspired initially by a community quilting class, Jamie was so enthused by her newfound love of fabric that she started her own online fabric store, Phat Fabric. Simultaneously she was using her cottons to create her own designed garments to sell in her Etsy store. ‘I followed a creative spark and dove head first into the discovery process of fabric and design.’ Before long she realised that there was a demand for the patterns of her creations, and so began to study pattern drafting and industry standard sewing techniques in order to develop these for production. ‘The success of my patterns has been the added bonus to what began as a creative adventure’.

Jamie Christina patterns are made for the emerging sewer who doesn’t want to wear what everyone else is wearing, and doesn’t want to spend days working on the garment. The patterns are written so that both the experienced and beginning sewer can enjoy both the process and end product of a pattern. ‘The patterns are basic and straightforward, but with amazing results’ professes Jamie.

Jamie hails from Southern California and this is reflected in her designs which have an easy and fun, modern bohemian feel. She has recently brought out two new dress patterns: the ‘Mission Maxi’ and the ‘Miz Mozelle’. The Mission Maxi is a maxi dress in knit fabric with three different views. One view offers a large godet attached to the back which adds a wonderful elegance to this easy to wear dress. ‘I think the reason why I enjoy it so much is because of its blend of comfort and fashion’ says Jamie. It’s a holiday wardrobe in itself – super in the day for poolside lounging or dressed up for easy nights out. The Miz Mozelle ‘named after my Granny’ says Jamie, is a vintage inspired piece featuring a Peter Pan collar with a keyhole bodice. ‘The keyhole bodice keeps it from looking too stuffy’ she says.

A charming aspect of Jamie Christina patterns is that they are pieces she is designing to wear herself. As a mother of three there is an all important ease not just to their wearabilty but also their practical and quick construction. ‘I am a one woman show, so time is an issue’ says Jamie. ‘I purposely have my sewing space in a corner of the house that allows me to be where my family is. I used to have my sewing space in the back of the house and I felt like I never saw my kids. I have a sewing desk picked up from an estate sale. It has a space for everything and when I’m done sewing for the day I just close it up. Everything looks nice and neat just sitting there waiting for me to wake it up the next morning.’

Jamie comes from a line of talented seamstresses. Her Granny used to make skating costumes for her daughters when they were little. ‘I am told that the other contestants and their mom’s were always excited to see what new costume my granny would design next’ says Jamie. Although Jamie did not get direction from her Granny, her mother did and in turn she passed this on to Jamie, but it wasn’t until adult life that Jamie really developed a love and appreciation for sewing. Although, she remembers one of the first things she had to sew – a nine patch pillow in 8th grade. ‘My mom said she knew I would be a good seamstress because all of my corners matched up perfectly’ says Jamie, ‘At least that’s how she remembers it, I remember ripping out seams everyday in class just to get them perfect!’

And Jamie and her mother are going to be working closely going forward. Jamie is handing over the online fabric shop to her mother. ‘Most of my work time is spent designing sewing patterns. I feel that to run a successful online shop you have to spend more time than I am able to devote to it. My mom is the perfect person to take over the business and it still gives me the opportunity to gush over the beautiful fabric and maybe sample some of it too!‘

This is all great news for us here in the UK as it means Jamie is able to dedicate her time to designing more of her stylish patterns!

Related Products:
Jamie Christina Patterns
Miz Mozelle Dress Pattern
Mission Maxi Dress Pattern

Photography by Pierre Olivier www.pierreophotography.com

An interview with Shelly and Karen from Patterns by Figgy's

I was lucky enough to interview the amazing team that is Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage from Patterns by Figgy's.  You can read the interview over on the website within the Articles section.

We hear all about the inspirations and motivations behind Patterns by Figgy's new collection.  Go take a look!

Part II of our interview with Sewaholic Tasia Pona

Part two of our Tasia Pona interview has gone into the articles section on our website... go take a read.  Tasia talks about her design process, her sewing space and her favourite cocktail!

And, there is (just!) still time to order your Crescent Skirt pattern in time for the sew-along which starts on Monday. 

An interview with Tasia Pona of Sewaholic Patterns - Part I

Here at Backstitch we love Sewaholic Patterns.  The Pendrell Blouse has been a real hit, and the Crescent Skirt is going to be a summer staple... the Sewaholic Crescent Sew-Along starts on the 18th April, so still time to get your pattern and invaluabley be guided through every step by the designer herself.

Tasia, the brains behind the label is an inspiration and her enthusiasm for dressmaking seems to just burst out of her.  I was lucky enough to interview Tasia and we have part one of the interview on the site now.

Thanks for reading, enjoy this sun, and Part II of the interview will be posted next week, so watch out!