Selvedge Sewing

FASHION
  SEWING
     AND
 DESIGN

Custom Design, Patternmaking and Sewing
for small businesses and the individual

Brief Bio

I am an apparel pattern maker and as a pattern maker I am also an excellent seamstress. I don't believe it is possible to be a good pattern maker without excelling at sewing. After having sewn for over 30 years and making patterns for more than 20, I am beginning to to truly understand my trade. I also realize that there will always be something new to learn in each new pattern I make and each garment I design and sew.

Through the years I have held many jobs in the different stages a garment goes through from concept to consumer: design, pattern making, spec technician, factory liaison, production sewing, quality control, retail buying, retail sales, and alterations. I also opened a sewing and design school to help others learn the skills it takes to create a garment. In the process it renewed my passion for my craft. This little sewing lounge in Austin Texas, First Samples, was recognized nationally by Time Magazine, The Today Show and more. I have returned now to contract design, patternmaking and sewing along with private advanced sewing and pattern making instruction and production consulting.

R E S U M E   A N D   P O R T F O L I O

Links to more images of past and current work:

• First Samples Sewing Studio: a collection of pictures from my former sewing loung off of South Congress in Austin, TX.
• Wedding Dresses: some of these were custom made, some were custom assisted.
• SS Pirate Jenny: some things I've done for myself.
• Freelance Fashion: a sampling of projects either sewn or patterned or both for other designers.

Garment Industry Experience 1993-2010:

PATTERNMAKING

NASH International, New York, NY Assistant Patternmaker / Spec Technician for a high volume garment manufacturer.

• Measured garments and made technical drawings (flats).
• Graded flats.
• Wrote cutters must and sewing instructions.
• Ordered piece goods, trims and pattern room supplies.
• Liaison to factories both foreign and domestic.

Freelance Clothing Design, Patternmaking and Sewing Services: California, New York, Utah, Texas

• Hundreds of clients across the country. Various body types, genders and end uses.
• Flat pattern development from measurements, through draping and from blocks.
• Pattern development from existing garments (knockoffs).
• Work from photos and flats.

PRODUCTION SEWING

EK Industries, Logan, UT
American Apparel, Logan, UT

QUALITY CONTROL

Pro-Tech, Logan, UT
KBS Industries, New York, NY

RETAIL CLOTHING

Andiamo, Pasadena, CA
Ribbons, Redondo Beach, CA
Giada, Austin, TX

SEWING AND PATTERNMAKING INSTRUCTION

First Samples Sewing Lounge, Austin, TX
Selvedge Sewing

E D U C A T I O N

AA, Fashion Design, FIDM
BA, Liberal Arts, Utah State University

Selvedge Sewing Services

Professional Services Offered or Brokered

• PATTERN MAKING
• SAMPLE SEWING
• PATTERN GRADING and MARKERS - brokered
• CUSTOM SEWING FOR APPAREL AND HOUSEHOLD SOFT GOODS
• SPECIALTY ALTERATIONS

How to utilize the professional patternmaking and sample sewing services:

Send or bring in an actual sample of the designs or similar designs you would like to create. If you are planning on creating from sketches, you will still need to provide fit samples to start from. Along with the design, please provide: a time line, quantity desired, a brief summary of your purpose or production history or marketing plan. This will help match the quality of the product to your end customer. You may include any photos, spec-sheets and fabric for your design. I will then promptly review your product or product line and determine if Selvedge Sewing has the proper equipment, expertise and time for your products. Upon approval, Selvedge Sewing will give you an information package which will include the necessary information and paperwork for us to begin work.

Selvedge Sewing will then produce one sample to your specifications for your approval. Once your product meets your approval a final sample and pattern will be produced. PLEASE NOTE: All sample sewing services are offered to clients who commission a pattern.

Other Services Available

• Patterns: Have a sewing pattern made out of one of your favorite garments. Tweak it a little to make it personalized if you want. The pattern comes with basic sewing instructions as well. Other forms of patternmaking are also available.
• Sewing: Custom sewing from commercial patterns or custom patterns.
• Private Instruction: Learn sewing, pattern making, fitting techniques and more. We can meet at your place or mine.

CUSTOM PATTERN MAKING
AND
SAMPLE SEWING

To inquire about custom sewing and patternmaking, please fill out the form on the right and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Selvedge Sewing has relocated to Tucson, Arizona.

Pay for services through your paypal account at the online store: SELVEDGE SEWING at BIG CARTEL.

512.694.3667 seams@selvedgesewing.com
P.O. BOX 1331, TUCSON, AZ 85702