DOLAPO JAMES FROM URBANSTAX SHARES Urbanstax sells beautiful African Fabric; African Wax Prints, Ankara, Adire, Batiks, “CREVETTES – this is theSOME OF THE MOST POPULAR DESIGNS Woven Cloth, Aso-oke that are all made French word for Shrimp andMany wax prints have acquired nicknames fromin Africa, www.urbanstax.com when you look, they do lookthe fabric sellers, buyers and markets they are sold @ubranstax ”like an abstract sea creature!in. Here are a few popular classics and some of GUINEAFOWL – this bird is a the names they are know by. The prints are often popular motif in many African available in a number of colourways and include countries, not just in fabric flowers, plants, animal print (particularly birds), design but also in design for tribal print African fabric, and geometric shapes, murals, paintings, drawings says Dolapo and batik creations. SPEEDBIRD – also called Hirondelle (the French for Swallows) is a print in Ghana that encourages you to be cautious with money – ‘rich today, poor tomorrow’, as money as has wings and if you’re not careful, it will fly away. FAMILY GRAVEL – this design looks RECORD – In Nigeria, it’s like a leopard print but represents called this due to its shape the gravel around a house as an associated with old vinyl analogy for the immediate family − records. In Ghana, it’s known ‘It’s sometimes sharp and can cut as Nsu Bura which means you deeply’. ‘water well’ referring to the ripple effect of throwing a stone in water. The idea is ‘whatever we do always has SANTANA – this pattern is named an effect, either good or bad’. after Mme Sant’anna Nelly, one of the Nana Benz in Togo, who got exclusive rights to sell this print. Nana Benz were prominent businesswomen who dominated the wax print textile trade from the 1950’s. It’s also known as ‘Darling’ Don’t Turn Your Back on Me’ and is said to represent an angry woman lying in bed with her back to her husband and her husband is asking for forgiveness! 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8 The Pattern Pages | 51
ADAKU PARKER FROM DOVETAILED Adaku Parker, a barrister turned DISCUSSES HER TOP TIPS FOR SEWING designer who now runs Dovetailed, an African wax print fabric shop that WITH AFRICAN WAX PRINT FABRICS also sells sewing patterns, clothes and bag making kits as well as haberdashery. www.dovetailed.co.uk @dovetailedlondon 1. REMOVE ANY and make sure, in the case of a simple MANUFACTURER’S LABELS A-line skirt that the same section of the print is visible at the front of the African wax print fabrics are made skirt as at the back of the skirt. from 100% cotton referred to as Kitenge or Ankara fabric, and are If the print is directional, that is to say printed using a wax-resist method the print points in one direction and if of printing onto cotton that’s similar you turn it upside down, it points in to batik. Printed onto these fabrics the other direction, then care needs are intricate motifs that are repeated to be taken to ensure that the print is across the length of the fabric. These pointing in the same direction on all motifs are inspired by African culture, the pattern pieces. For example on sayings, personalities, mod cons (past a dress, you wouldn’t want the print and present), nature and animals. pointing upwards on the sleeves and They’re usually sold as six-yard bolts, then downward on the bodice. Also which come as one continuous piece. consider areas of the body such as the apex of the bust when thinking about Each piece will have the where you will place your design. manufacturer’s labels attached to a section of one of the yards on the 4. FOLLOW THE DESIGN right side of your fabric. The ‘right AND NOT THE GRAINLINE side’ of your fabric is the side that will be seen when your fabric is made up; Speaking of the design, there is a therefore, these stickers will need to rule in dressmaking that you cut be steamed off with your iron. Please your fabric on the straight grain. The visit my Instagram to see a video in straight grain runs parallel to the which I demonstrate how to remove selvedge. The selvedge on African these labels. print fabric can be identified as the edge of the fabric shown by a white 2. PRE-WASH AND border with dark writing indicating PRESS YOUR FABRIC country of manufacture and other details. Your individual pattern pieces Always pre-wash and press your will include a grain line. This grainline fabrics. There are two reasons (usually indicated by a straight line for doing this. The main reason is with an arrow) is an instruction that because it’s generally good practise when you place your pattern piece before cutting and sewing clothing. on top of your fabric, this straight line is parallel with the white border (also The pre-washing process will shrink known as the selvedge). the fabric and cotton usually shrinks by up to 10% after the first wash, Whilst this is a good general rule, which is not a good thing in a finished with African wax prints, sometimes garment! The second reason is that the design looks better on the cross- once washed and pressed, the fabrics, grain (with the grain line pattern some of the stiffer fabrics begin to marking at a 90 degree angle to the feel a lot softer. selvedge). If this is the case, then go ahead and break with convention! Wash at 40 degrees and use With these fabrics, always let the detergent. These fabrics are colourfast design guide how you cut your fabric and the vibrant designs won’t fade whether this is on the straight grain or even after repeated washing. You the cross grain. might want to wash each fabric separately or use your colour catcher 5. MIX AND MATCH for the first wash! Once dried, press your fabric with your iron using lots of Finally, do mix and match your wax steam. print garments with some wardrobe staples. Pair bright wax print skirts 3. TAKE TIME WITH and trousers with a plain top or PATTERN PLACEMENT blouse. These fabrics are wonderful for warmer months but you can still The intricate designs of these fabrics wear your Ankara garments in the can seem daunting but with time and cooler months. practice it gets much easier. Start simple. Look for the pattern repeat 52 | The Pattern Pages 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
LEARN TO SEW 60 minute MAKE Always sunny! Protect your sunglasses with this cute little zipped pouch 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8 The Pattern Pages | 53
LEARN TO SEW fabric requirements: creating • 2 x 5½in x 8½in’ rectangles from fabric A (main) your design • 2 x 5½in x 8½in rectangles from fabric B (lining) • 2 x sunglass template from fabric B Sew all rights sides together with ¼in • 2 x lens template from neon green fabric seam allowance. • 1 x bridge template from fabric C • 2 x decorative template from fabric C • Steam-seam double-sided fusible tape The fabrics used for this project came from an older fabric collection, Day Trip designed by AGF Studio and from AGF’s blenders, but you can use any fabrics you like. To find your local UK stockist of current Art Gallery Fabrics collections visit www.hantexonline.co.uk/art-gallery-fabrics assembling the clutch 1. Place one of 5½in x 8½in rectangle from fabric A right side up on your work surface. Take one 5½in x 8½in rectangle piece from 1 Centre the zipper, right side up fabric A and your sunglass pieces. 2 on top of the fabric and position your top piece on top of the Apply the fusible tape to the wrong side of the lining/zipper, right side down. sunglass template, and position it on the main You should have a sandwich of lining face up, zipper face up, fabric rectangle piece, and press with steam. main face down. Position the lens template on top of the sunglass template and add the bridge template next to 2. Change your sewing foot for the zipper foot and stitch the lens and sunglass template. along the edge of the zipper and fold back. Press the main Now, repeat for the other sunglass and lens fabric and the lining to expose template and add the two decorative templates the finished edges along the to the top edge of the sunglasses. zipper. To secure the sunglass, top stitch with colour Open the zipper and repeat thread and quilt as required. for the other side using the backing piece and the other lining piece. 3. Separate the front piece together with the backing and then the lining pieces together on each side of the bag fold the flaps so that you’re matching the exterior fabrics right sides together, and the lining fabrics right sides together. 4. Pin in place to form one large rectangle with exterior pieces to one side and lining pieces to the other side. The red line on the diagram shows your stitching line. With ½in seam allowance, sew all the way around the pouch, leaving a 4-5in opening in the lining side of the bag for turning. Turn the pouch inside out and hand stitch 3 4 the lining opening and press. 54 | The Pattern Pages 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
LEARN TO SEW Printer test template to print Sunglass Template Decor Template Lens Template Bridge Template Sunglass Template Lens Template Decor Template Thanks to Art Gallery Fabric9s afor3th4is 7pro0je4ct5-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8 The Pattern Pages | 55
Short Sleeved Dress Tunic by Ann Normandy, www.ann-normandy.com WHAT IS LINEN? Linen is a fabric that’s made from very fine fibres, which are derived from the flax plant. These fibres come from the stems of the plant rather than the bolls that grow around the cottonseed. They’re extracted, spun into yarn, and then woven into long sheets of durable fabric to make linen. QUALITIES Linen is durable and comfortable to wear, and when untreated (not dyed), it’s biodegradable. Its natural colour is ivory, ecru, tan, and grey. Linen is ideal for hot climates, as it’s breathable, dries quickly, naturally anti-bacterial and moth resistant. It can withstand frequent washing at 40oC and becomes even softer over time. This fabric allows air to circulate freely and wicks moisture away from the body. The natural fibres hold dye colours better and it’s available in lots of colour ways and even prints now. TIP: Use lower temperatures like 30oC on bright coloured linens and higher temperatures up to 60oC on white linen fabrics. HISTORY Linen is one of the longest-produced textiles, and its history stretches back far as far as ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt and Greece. The Phoenicians introduced it to Western Europe and Ireland became the centre of linen production, and by the 18th century, Belfast became known as ‘Linenopolis’. WHAT CAN I MAKE? Lightweight linen is great for dresses, tops and children’s clothes. Medium-weight linen is suitable for rousers and shirts while heavier-weight linens are great for summer suits or jackets. Linen isn’t suitable for patterns that require stretch. SEWING WITH There’s nothing more sophisticated than a linen garment made with love from linen, learn all about sewing with it here! 56 | The Pattern Pages 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
LINEN TYPES All linen is derived from the flax fibre, and the variation in weaving techniques is what results in different types of linen: Red Yarn-dyed Linen/ Grey Animal Print Linen/ Cotton Blend from Modelo’s Viscose from Modelo’s Carbury Collection Melita Collection Sky Blue Yarn Dyed Wide Stripe Linen Cotton Blend from Modelo’s Carbury Collection BLENDED LINEN FABRIC When linen is blended with other fibres, it acquires characteristics from the other fibre and is a softer alternative to the traditional, crisp linen fabrics. Linen blended with rayon Linen blended with cotton Linen blended with polyester creates a softer fabric with keeps the crispness of linen will wash better, wrinkle less, sheen, and has more drape. but reduces it creasing. and retain its colour. SUITING LINEN This linen comes in a variety of weaves and is strong and absorbent ideal for use in summer suits. TIPS FOR SEWING CHOOSE THE ALWAYS PRE-WASH LAYING AND CUTTING OUT RIGHT WEIGHT Linen does shrink so Because of linen’s distinctive texture and weaves, you should follow the always pre-wash on a grain line of the fabric, and you can lay out pattern pieces much closer than Use lighter linen for hot wash before cutting the pattern layout suggests. For best results, lay out linen fabrics following garments that have lots out to avoid any further the napped layout from the pattern instructions. The thinner linens are easy of drape like dresses and shrinkage. Air-dry and to cut with sharp scissors but for thicker linens cut well with a rotary cutter. skirts and medium weight press with a pressing NB. The grain of a fabric runs parallel to the selvages (the finished edge) on for more structured tops cloth. each side of the fabric piece. and trousers. FINISHING SEWING PRESS MARKING Linen does unravel so Linen is easy to sew and Press every seam as you Tailor’s chalk is best for finish raw seams by doesn’t slip so can be go, it really does make marking your fabric but overlocking or another lightly guided through a difference to the final always test your marking appropriate seam finish to the sewing machine garment. Use a damp tools on a scrap of the avoid it fraying anymore. A without pulling. Use pressing cloth or spare linen fabric. clean-finished edge looks matching cotton thread piece of the linen fabric the neatest. Straight stitch, or cotton covered to avoid scorching the close to the edge and polyester thread for fabric. If you like your turn the edge under on sewing linen. Use 70/10 fabric to feel crisp, you the stitch line and straight or 80/12 sewing needles can add a laundry starch. stitch through the two for lightweight linens layers. The other option such as handkerchief is to use a bound hem or and blouse-weight special seam-finishing tape linens and 90/14 for to enclose the raw edges. bottom-weight linens. 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8 The Pattern Pages | 57
9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
GIVEAWAY SPECIALS celebrate Head over to our Instagram to enter www.instagram.com/thepatternpagesmagazine FIVE YEARS of The Pattern PAGES This May, we’re celebrating five years of The Pattern Pages and have some wonderful gifts to give away! where it all started ♥ A small independent business run by mother and daughter team ♥ It started off as a sewing blog in 2012 ♥ The magazine launched in May 2017 and came out every quarter ♥ The magazine changed to bi-monthly in January 2020 ♥ The Pattern Boutique selling pdf patterns launched January 2022 25 prizes to give away 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8 The Pattern Pages | 59
the results Sew Your Style is an annually run competition that gives sewists in the UK the chance to show off their dressmaking skills, as well as win fabulous prizes like sewing machines, fabric, patterns and online sewing workshops! THE CATEGORIES 3R’S - RE-USE, SEW THE LOOK RETRO REVIVAL RE-CYCLE This was a chance to predict Whether it’s a bell-bottom AND REFASHION and make a garment that’s flare or fringed jacket – it’s going to set the trend for the time to show off your styling Create a garment with re- invented fabric that you forthcoming year! from 1970s. already have such as old scarves, curtains, and other fabrics from around the home! THE Back in February – we narrowed each category to 8-10 garments to JUDGING go forward and be part of the beautiful display at this year’s Sewing For Pleasure show at the NEC in March. On the first day of the show, the sewing expert judges – Laura Casey from Sew Different and Jules Fallon and Sharon Coleman from Sew Me Something judged the garments for creativity, sewing skill and design. The standard of sewing from entrants this year was truly inspiring and announced on social media! Those winners that attend the show on the Sunday got to walk down the catwalk with the model wearing their make. 60 | The Pattern Pages 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
RE-USE, SEW THE RETRO RE-CYCLE, REVIVAL REFASHION LOOK 1 CLARRISA BOUSFIELD JEN LEGG JANE WHEBLE 2 TRACEY XIOUTAS ANNE ZARB STEPHANIE SANDERSON 3 WEN9DaY3D4U7DE0N4E5Y-5cfb-4fa3SA-9RA1H4A4D-L8OaW7ff2edadCdH8ARLOTTheTPEatteFrnOPaRgeCs E| 6R1
thEe DIT His and her holiday essentials We put together the essentials that will fit in one bag for getting away this summer! PATGSHHEESOPWPATEMTBEESROITNNE Tee of f ! This T-shirt looks fab on men and women! You can make each of the five panels in a different jersey scraps from your fabric stash. The construction is very simple which makes it a fast project to sew! The diagonal lines give the tee a one-of-a- kind look and with its comfortable oversized fit, you will never want to take it off. Tulia Unisex Tee | Sewing Patterns By Masin www.thepatternpages.com/thepatternboutique Easy Elastic waist shorts are so comfortable to pull on and wear for walking down to the beach, day trips and even for cocktails at dusk! This fit pattern is best for light to medium weight woven fabrics like linen, linen rayon blends and cottons, and comes in sizes 0-18 and 14-32. This shorts pattern comes in a trouser length that’s ideal for travelling in too! Dani Short (& Pants) from True Bias, www.truebias.com 62 | The Pattern Pages 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
The This high leg swimsuit has a stylish fit and will be the cossie you turn to every holiday. S u m m e r Make it a lovely print or solid colour! This pattern comes in sizes 4-16 (UK) and 0-20 (US). Sharon Swimsuit, Sirena Patterns www.sirenapatterns.com Onesie These trunks come with two length Beach variations and front and back pockets. Vibes The built in underwear lining allows you to swim in comfort and the seam lines also allow for colour blocking and print mixing. Make them in a neutral colour and they will double up for sightseeing and evenings! The pattern comes in sizes XS - 2XL. The Beckham from Sew Sew Def, www.mimigstyle.com ACCESSORISE Simplicity 2274 www.sewdirect.com Sorrento Hat from Elbe Textiles www.elbetextiles.com.au 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8 The Pattern Pages | 63
64 | The Pattern Pages 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
NAMED Saara and Laura Huhta (Sisters) www.namedclothing.com We were born in Helsinki, Finland, and our business is also based in our hometown. It’s hard to remember whose idea it was to start a sewing pattern business since it all started as a sort of a whim. Back in 2012, we were sitting together on a bus, headed to our parent’s place for lunch. On that bus trip, we started to casually chat about work and our dreams. We had both graduated quite recently and were not very happy with the direction that our careers were headed. So we started to talk about what kind of work we would really like to do. Both of us have been passionate sewists since our childhood when our mom taught us to sew. Saara had a degree in fashion design and patternmaking, and Laura in footwear design. But handmade garments and fashion were our true passion, and during that 30-minute bus trip, the two of us together came to the conclusion that we have to start our own pattern label. It feels like just a few years since we started Named, but in fact, Named has officially existed since 2013, and we’ve worked on it since 2012. For an entire decade! Of course, we have worked together for longer than that, not professionally, but with our personal DIY projects. At Named we design all collections together. Saara is our patternmaker: she drafts all patterns and develops them into pdf and printed patterns. Laura writes and illustrates the instructions, and develops them into the final formats. Of course, there are tons of other necessary tasks included in running a business: Laura takes care of B2B sales, while Saara handles our webshop sales. Recently we have started to make video sewalongs too, which are Saara’s work. We also have a part-time employee Tessa who takes care of our social media, newsletters, and customer service. The best things are that we can always rely on each other, and that we have a great dynamic. Our tasks are divided pretty ideally so that we can both work on things that we like and are good at. Of course, there are inevitable tasks that neither of us likes, but we make sure they are divided equally, too. Running a small business can often be very heavy and stressful, and the fear of that weight affecting our personal relationship is probably the biggest drawback. Other than that, we are very happy and extremely lucky to work together as sisters. IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR! As a mother and daughter team here at The Pattern Pages, we share with you some of the stories behind our favourite family run pattern companies! 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8 The Pattern Pages | 65
SISTERMAG PATTERNS Tonio Sutter, Evi Neubauer and Theresa Wittemann (Sisters & Mother) www.sistermagpatterns.com The business evolved from our magazine sisterMAG that we founded 10 years ago as a trio of Thea, Toni and Alex (sisters and Toni’s husband). Our mom Evi got involved from issue 1 and designed fashion collections as she had been a textile engineer and sewing all her life. It’s funny but there never was a question that we wouldn’t have sewing patterns inside the magazine but they were ungraded and had very little instructions. A few years ago, we started discussing a pattern shop but had to find the people to work with us on grading patterns, extending the descriptions, drawing illustrations etc. We still are a very small team but are working with freelancers around the world and really enjoy working on all the 200+ new and many old patterns. We’re based in Berlin but our mom Evi still lives in Freiberg in Saxony, about three hours south, where we grew up. However, we Face Time, Skype and Google Meet on an hourly basis! We started working together in February 2012. However, as mom and sisters, we’ve always had shared projects like a blog and so forth. Evi is the creative mind behind all our patterns. She’s a textile engineer and worked in a hat factory, and has the construction and sewing knowledge of decades to build upon. Toni has the numbers brain and usually looks after everything finance related, as well as keeping the ‘big picture’ in mind. Business and strategic development are topics that Alex and Toni’s husband works on! Thea inherited Evi’s creative streak but works on the design side and has developed the workflow on digitising and putting together all patterns. By the way, our dad is also involved in proofreading the German pattern instructions and little August (Thea’s son) has been the model for one or two baby rompers! As we’ve worked as a family business for many years now, we can hardly remember what it feels like NOT working together. We very much value the trust and understanding and it’s sometimes hard not to talk shop at family gatherings, which is something that Alex wholeheartedly reminds us from time to time! I AM PATTERNS Marie-Émilienne and Blandine (Sisters) www.iampatterns.fr/en After a degree in pattern drafting and teaching pattern drafting at an international school in Shanghai, Marie-Émilienne started I Am Patterns in 2015. First, she was based in Paris but moved to Burgundy in 2018. At the beginning, Blandine, her younger sister who lives in London, helped with translations. But in 2019, she joined forces with Marie-Emilienne to help her with the growing workload. We’ve been working together since the beginning. At first Marie-Emilienne did all the work and Blandine helped just a bit with the translations. Now, Marie- Emilienne does all the creative work: thinking and creating the collections, organising photoshoots and images and writing the texts. She really has the vision of how she wants it to look and she creates it from start to finish. Blandine does all the communication and organisational work like press relations, website, newsletter, social media, organising the sewing of the prototypes, the collaborations and the helps with other freelancers. Our little sister has recently joined as well and she’s in charge of customer and retail partners’ relations as well as shipping. The best and worst thing about working together is the same! We know each other so well that sometimes it’s great and we complete each other but sometimes (not often though) it’s also a curse, as we get frustrated with each other! But as sisters, we always make up and all is well in the end! 66 | The Pattern Pages 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
SPECIALS MAVEN Soon after finishing a fashion course in Sydney, I (Colette) started PATTERNS out working in my Mum’s (Silva) clothing business. As the recession started to hit in the late ’80s, I had this idea to clear off some of Sharon, Eve and Emilie Mendham Mum’s business’ leftover fabrics from past collections. (Mother and Daughters) It all started one Mother’s Day weekend, as a pop-up weekend www.mavenpatterns.co.uk stall in a shopping mall with fabric remnants sold on foldout trestle tables. There was such an overwhelming response to the quality The idea of Maven Patterns was Mrs M (aka mum/ fabrics offered for sale, customers wanted to see more. Soon after, Sharon). Sharon trained as a pattern cutter at university in mid 1992, I decided to start Tessuti Fabrics, selling off deadstock and worked in the fashion industry for many years while from other local clothing labels and fabric mills. Coincidentally this we lived in London. When our family made the move to year marks Tessuti Fabrics being in business for 30 years! the Midlands, she continued to make her own patterns and clothes in the styles that reflected her personality We’ve been working together again since 2012. After retiring rather than trawling the high street so Maven Patterns from producing her clothing line and running her own retail stores, was a really natural progression, and allowed women all Mum started working with me. Together we decided to produce the over the world to experience the same joy. Tessuti Patterns range, co-designing and at times re-releasing some popular styles from Silva’s own clothing line to complement all the Our patterns are designed to fill the gaps in your beautiful fabrics that I source. Along with being the fabric buyer wardrobe, something you can reach for everyday and and co director of Tessuti Fabrics, I hand trace the patterns and love to wear. Mrs M’s industry experience gives our put together the sewing instruction booklets. Silva is responsible patterns the ‘shop bought’ finish that our customers love! for drafting and grading the patterns, as well as sewing up all of the Thankfully our roles are easy to share out! Sharon is the shop samples. expert pattern cutter and designer, with excellent taste in all things design and fabric. I (Eve) get to speak with all of We have so much fun working and creating together – just like our lovely wholesale customers, handle queries and all we used to in the late 80s. Recently my daughter Gabby joined the other things that come with running a business. My the team and having three generations work together is so special. sister, Emilie, manages all of our social media and emails We’ve an innate understanding of each other and communicate so we are really lucky to all get to work together. very well which means that ideas and conversations flow easily. Having Silva’s years of experience and know-how in the garment I think we’re really lucky to be able to work together, industry is invaluable. We take a lot of pride in putting together we have a great dynamic that makes it super easy to get comprehensive sewing instructions, where Silva’s industry tips and work done. The best thing about working together is the finishes are shared so that our customers can learn new sewing creative and life balance that we’ve been able to create techniques. The worst part is bickering like mums and daughters – the freedom really allows the creative ideas to flow sometimes can do, but we make up very quickly! We know and come together organically. The worst thing about each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and when we’re not in working together is how much we chat and distract agreement on something, no one gets offended. each other, and we’re always up for skipping out of the studio in favour of a trip to the local fabric store or Ikea! TESSUTI Collette and Silvia Guanta (Daughter & Mother) www.tessuti-shop.com 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8 The Pattern Pages | 67
SPECIALS AMBITIOUS ELLE Asimenia Sapranidou and Elena Samara (Mother & Daughter) www.ambitiouselle.com It all started when I, Elena, moved to another city. I already knew how to follow patterns, cut and sew but I didn’t have any experience in pattern making. Soon, I was invited to talk about female entrepreneurship and wanted to cut, sew and wear one of my own designs. There was a problem though, my mom, Asimenia, who is a professional pattern maker, was far away. So we had to find a way for her to create and send a digital pattern and for me to print in the correct scale so that I can use it. We have seen something similar online so we started to search and experiment how we can make it happen. Trial and error brought us to successfully completing the project. We liked the procedure and that is how it turned from “Mom would you do me a favour?” to “We should definitely do this!” When we started, Elena was in Athens and Asimenia in Thessaloniki, both in Greece but 500km away. Pandemic and the start of Ambitious Elle Patterns brought Elena back to her hometown, Thessaloniki. We have been working together for 12 years, with a small break of 1 year, when Elena first moved to another city. Asimenia is the master of everything Pattern Making. She has 25 years as a pattern maker and tutor so her word is our command on the matter. Elena runs the website and our digital presence in platforms, customer care, creating video tutorials and recently started teaching pattern cutting. Together, we decide on the designs, we sew the samples, resource fabrics, research and more. The best thing is to know that each one has the other’s back. It is love that keeps us together, above all. We depend on each other, we know that the work gets done and that we both will do our best, walk the extra mile and will not give up. There is no competition, which is so refreshing. We combine multiple roles together, we are family, business partners, mentors and financial advisors of one another. We wouldn’t say there is a “worst” part, not now. It took us some years to get to know how to work together, placing and keeping our limits and being professionals at the same time but since we achieved it we wouldn’t have it any other way. Especially now, waiting for our first (grand) child, we are feeling blessed that we have created this family friendly business and looking forward to the new challenge. ALICE & CO Alice Prier and Lilia Prier Tisdall (Mother and Daughter) www.aliceandcopatterns.com I had started a sewing pattern business but not really got anywhere when I was asked to write a book on pattern cutting. This seemed a daunting task on my own but Lilia offered to help. When we’d finished the book, we realised we liked working together and so decided to carry on and develop the PDF pattern business. On our sewing patterns, it’s coming up for three years. We have a lot of fun working together – we do argue a lot too as we’re both quite bossy! But we both acknowledge each other’s areas of expertise and a cup of tea or glass of wine and we’re back on track! 68 | The Pattern Pages 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8
WE love Pastels BtmhrAienbusgsteetrodanscwttaptwthienSwemkq.uhoeaaanynrztpedytajseDbmuwsrmoitnerpamtllceetcErroayevrl.oraciibrnouregri.nsuss.gkwsfPirtiohinnmk Wear these pick and mix colours to HItaoMnwwhdinwatsswtGtyh.laoriesenlheivnipeesnerGtbrohifnoeuisgncghtmhaasim.nccrotooCogmmmrroepesasnnfboiooarnnddyallBfwoahtrghit,eel£u3hen9ascn.s5hed0nbtafoiragoul.smt! prep up your wardrobe this season THE MONOCHROME SUIT Combine pastels with innovative classic for a super cool suit that will never go out of style! This pattern includes relaxed fit jackets with options to line and make in different lengths and stylish loose-fitting trousers with fly front, slash pockets, asymmetrical front pleats, and straight legs. Wear together for impact or wear as separates with other garments in your wardrobe. It’s well worth the sew! #7876, McCall’s, Sizes 6-22, £11.50, www.sewdirect.com This lovely watch has a beautiful apricot coral glow and is perfect for everyday use. We love the back of the watch, which is specifically designed to have an engraved message of your choice. The Architēct Coral Watch, £59 from www.architectwatches.co.uk Auppaigr aorfmpeanstte. lM£p2rici4nk.t9es9ynferMoakomeurswsewwWiwll h.asidthedoaeLzaliotctenleefU.ucpnomtCoatnhvisasgroSwhone-, The Pattern Pages | 69 You’ll be spoilt for choice with two ways to style your hair! This twin-set includes a twist headband and scarf scrunchie, both finished in a unique pastel geo print. Geo Print Scarf Scrunchie and Headband from 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd8www.accessorize.com
SPRING 2022 AMAZING SPRING OFFERS 230DC OFFER PRICE £379 SAVE £20 230DC Easy to use… make the right choice first me! 725S OFFER PRICE OFFER PRICE Top loading £329 £399 bobbin, popular choice model! SAVE £20 SAVE £30 OFFER PRICE 360DC £189 + FREE £689OFFER PRICE THREADS! SAVE £10 SAVE £100 J3-18 vyiosToioftufeJrvarilseonwcaoamnladerlle.tcoStoapfi.iurlneikndrg Prac cal choice for new and 5270QDC Exci ng, refined features experienced sewists! to help your projects shine! 6234XL Easy threading, robust & reliable 2, 3, 4 thread Overlocker! + FREE OFFER PRICE CARRYBAG! £479 SAVE £20 Promotion starts 4th April 2022 until 6th June 2022 9a347045-5cfb-4fa3-9144-8a7ff2edadd870 | The Pattern Pa(gAelsl offers subject to stock availability)
Search
