S E L V E D G E S E W I N G

PATTERN
MAKING
AND
SAMPLE HOUSE

Pattern Making and Sample Sewing
for your designs

Now accepting new clients for contract pattern making and sample sewing. Specializing in women's sportswear, dresses and knits. I work with one or two clients at a time for superior service and complete confidentiality.

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. This little sewing lounge in Austin, Texas was recognized nationally by Time Magazine, The Today Show and more.

I have returned to contract pattern making and sample sewing part time and am looking for a few solid clients to grow with.

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:

The new line of bikinis for Greenlee Swim
Dress Patterns and Samples for Linda Asaf
Annie's Omnium
Miscellaneous Projects
Wedding Dresses and Formal Wear
SS Pirate Jenny: some things I've done for myself.
First Samples Sewing Studio: a collection of pictures from my former sewing lounge off of South Congress in Austin, TX.

Garment Industry Experience 1993-Now:

PATTERN MAKING

NASH International, New York, NY Assistant Pattern Maker / 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, Pattern Making and Sewing Services: California, New York, Utah, Texas, Arizona

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 (knock offs).
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 PATTERN MAKING INSTRUCTION

First Samples Sewing Lounge, Austin, TX
Selvedge Sewing, Austin, TX

E D U C A T I O N

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

The Routine:

To start with I would like to pair up with companies that produce what I specialize in: women's wear with markets ranging from Young Designer to Missy including the categories of sportswear, dresses, knits and active wear. I am not interested in doing elaborate evening wear or wedding dresses, high end lingerie, jeans or fine tailoring from a distance.
If you are still with me, the next step is to gather together your ideas and give me a call or send me an email. I will ask you a series of questions to help me get to know you. Next I will request a drawing or picture of the first style to be emailed to me so I can give you a quote. Then you will send me a package with fabric, trims and notions or whatever would be relevant to help me nail the pattern and sample first try. If you do not care what fabric is used for the first sample, I can find something that will work and add it on to your bill.
As we go we may need to communicate. I prefer email so I have documentation to refer to. If we need face time for a particular challenge or for a fitting we set up a Skype appointment.

When the first pattern and sample are complete, I will send only the sample unless you request the pattern. I do this because there are often minor changes that you want made to the pattern and if I've sent the pattern off I cannot make the changes. Also, when I do send the pattern it will be finished with all the correct markings on it and with a cutters must and flat. This all takes time to do and if we are going to change the pattern, it's wasted time.
After all of the requested changes are made to the pattern you can request a second sample or not. This part of the sequence can be repeated more than once just like it would be in your own design room.
When we are satisfied with the pattern, I mark the pattern up, create a hand drawn flat of the front and back of the garment, write up simple sewing instructions, create the cutters must/pattern card, print out an invoice and send the package to you. I do not keep copies of the pattern unless you request it.

WELCOME FUTURE CLIENTS!

Please contact me directly using the email address given and I will get back to you as soon as possible. There is no project too big or too small that I won't consider! I enjoy a good prototype and artwork collaborations every once in a while. If you are interested in a wedding dress I challenge myself with one or two of those each year as well.

SHIPPING

For my clients who are not within driving distance, my preferred shipping method is USPS. They have the best rates, convenient locations and reliable service. Large packages can be accepted at this PO Box even through UPS and FedEX when you choose the right options at shipping. If you must ship to a physical address I will send you the address and make sure someone is here when the package should arrive.