Canadian Pattern Designer blog tour: Interview with E+M Patterns

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Edited March 4, 2017: Please note that E+M Patterns has merged her shops and now sells all her patterns under Petitboo Patterns. You can find all the patterns under new names on Etsy* or Craftsy*.

Today we have Allison of E+M Patterns! I’ve tested a few times for Allison, (I’ve blogged a couple of the makes here and here) and she was so lovely to work with! Allison also is the other half of the pattern design team for Audrey & Tiffany. Read on to the end to get the details on the awesome discount code and to enter the giveaway!

Allison earliest memories of sewing were of her mother making Halloween costumes and special occasion outfits. Her mom hated it! However, Allison only really got into sewing while in her mid twenties. While in college (studying Genetics!) she took some sewing and pattern drafting courses, and started sewing more once her first son was born. She loved PDF patterns and not long after started designing her own patterns. The lack of seam finishes in some of the patterns (or seam finishes that simply said to zig zag finish the edge) were frustrating to her and so she designed her patterns to have seam finishes that made the garments as pretty on the inside as out.

Can you describe a typical day for you?

What was the first thing you ever sewed that you can remember? How did it go?

Hmmm, does sewing on one of those cheap-o toy sewing machines count?  If it does, then it was a simple doll stuffy made with one of those machines is the first thing I sewed.  If that doesn’t count, then it was a denim over the shoulder bag made from my worn out (acid wash!) jeans with my grandma when I was about 12 years old.  I remember being thrilled with it and wearing it all. the. time.  I don’t remember if it was sewn well at all, but I loved it and that’s what counts, right?

 

Since this is Canada inspired blog tour, tell me a little about where you live.  Is there one place nearby that you always recommend to new visitors? (A shop, restaurant or landmark).

For us sewers, I would suggest Dressew as a place to check out if you’re ever in town.  It is a two story fabric and notions (oh my! the notions!!) store in downtown Vancouver.  The top flour has regular priced fabrics and the lower floor is FULL of notions (you name it, they have it – in 300 different colours too!) and a small discount fabric room.  I have been known to spend HOURS in there.

Is there any other place in Canada that you’ve always wanted to visit or that you do visit on a regular basis?

I would LOVELOVELOVE to visit Montreal one day.  I would love to experience the art scene and the culture in Montreal.  I think it would be so inspiring to create!  It would be so fun to experience the city and all it has to offer.  Plus, I’d get a chance to practice all the French that I learned in high school.  I wonder if I’d remember any of it…

Do you think that being Canadian influences your designs?

This is a great question!  British Columbia is such a beautiful province with so many things to do outside (parks, beaches, trails, hikes, skiing, etc.).  Because of this my family and I spend a lot of time outdoors.  Since my boys need to be able to run and jump and climb and all those things while we’re playing outside, I try to design my clothes that are comfy and loose and easy for kids to still be kids in.  Of course, I design some pretty dresses too, but I do try to make those a little comfy as well.

What are your top 3 favourite sewing or creative resources? (books,websites, etc)

I also catch myself admiring and analyzing the clothing on T.V.  Shows like Glee and Mad Men, where the clothing is an important part of the show, are a great place for inspiration. As far as pattern drafting and the technical aspect to all of that, Winifred Aldrich’s Metric Pattern Cutting for Children’s Wear and Babywear and Women’s Wear are great books and are very complete and helpful resources.

What is your #1 sewing tip or trick?

Do you have any future plans for E+M Patterns that you would like to share? Any new patterns coming out?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway closes June 18th at 12am EDT.

There are more prizes to be won! Giveaway and prize details for the Grand Prize and Second Prize can be found here. Sew up a pattern from one of the featured designers and you could win the Grand Prize!!

Ula writes for Lulu & Celeste