Wishing to know more about this new-to-me pattern company, I contacted Alexandra and asked her for an interview and she promptly agreed to answer all my nosy questions and also generously offered up a pattern for a giveaway to one of my readers. See the bottom of this post for details on how to enter.
Now without further ado, here is my interview with Alexandra:
Alexandra, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Well, I grew up on a farm in small town Saskatchewan, Canada. My mom had always sewn for my sisters and I so it was natural for me to pick up a few sewing skills at a young age. I had always loved creating fashion so I decided to make it a career. After obtaining a Bachelor Science in Home Economics with a major in Clothing and Textiles from the University of Saskatchewan, I went on to specialize in Fashion Design and also completed a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Fashion Design from Ryerson University. After completing my schooling I worked in the Canadian fashion industry for about 18 years as a designer, pattern maker, technical designer and fit technician.
 |
| The Belle Bow Blouse |
I read on your website that you have a degree in fashion design and work in the fashion industry. Do you still get time or have an interest in sewing your own clothes?
While I was working full time in the industry I had very little time to sew and now, between In-House Patterns and teaching at a local design school, I still find it difficult to find the time to sew for myself. Most of my sewing projects involve developing new patterns for In-House Patterns or projects for my courses so the only personal sewing I do is when I test my patterns in my personal size.
What made you decide to start your own digital sewing pattern line?
I started In-House Patterns with some forward thought about a future outside of the fashion industry. Although I enjoyed working in the industry, I was looking for more variety in my work and saw an opportunity to improve the sewing experience and final results for the home sewer using my experience with production sewing methods.
The methods used in pattern making and construction in the fashion industry are easier to execute and give more professional results in the finished garment. I wanted to bring that to the home sewing industry.
 |
| The Cool Cowl Tank |
Your patterns are designed for an hourglass shape with a full bust. Why did you decide to size your patterns with this shape in mind?
I chose this body type to solve my own personal fitting issues first of all, but also for everyone else out there like me. The hourglass figure with a full bust is a challenging figure type to fit since we are very curvy and the pattern needs to accommodate that. Most sewing patterns and retail apparel are developed for a B-Cup and I felt there was a good opportunity to satisfy a need and improve the sewing experience for the curvy girls out there. I do plan on developing more patterns for a variety of bust sizes. I currently have the “Blossom” blouse which includes patterns for A, B, C and D cup sizes. This provides another level of ease for my customers because it eliminates the need for bust size pattern adjustments.
 |
| The A, B, C, D Cup Sized Blossom Blouse |
What level of experience do we sewing hobbyists need in order to tackle your sewing patterns and can they be adapted for a smaller bust size?
In-House Patterns are designed for sewers with some previous experience but I have some customers who consider themselves to be beginners getting amazing results. It is important to read all of the instructions included with the patterns since they are made using fashion industry techniques which require specific seam allowances and sewing methods. This is what makes In-House Patterns different from many of the others out there.
All patterns can be modified for smaller or larger cup sizes, it's just a matter of learning how to make the correct pattern adjustments which vary based on the style of the garment. I have detailed pattern correction instructions for bust sizes posted on the blog for each of the styles currently offered.
What inspires the style of your patterns?
My inspiration is drawn from vintage and modern sources. The hourglass figure was celebrated in the 1950's and women were portrayed as very sophisticated and elegant so I find I am most inspired by that period of fashion but I love the simplicity and comfort of modern clothing so I try for a mix of the two.
What is the future of IN-HOUSE patterns? Are you planning on releasing any more patterns in the near future?
I've got a million ideas for the future of In-House Patterns! For right now, I am focusing on building the pattern line and providing as much value as I can to my customers. I am currently developing new patterns which I plan to release in the fall of this year.
Thank you very much for the interview!
* * *
GIVEAWAY
GIVEAWAY
Alexandra is generously offering up a Claire shorts PDF pattern - perfect for the warmer weather coming up - to one of my readers.
To enter the giveaway leave a comment to this post by Sunday, 23 March 2014. The giveaway is open internationally.
To enter the giveaway leave a comment to this post by Sunday, 23 March 2014. The giveaway is open internationally.
Please don't forget to leave a contact e-mail address.
Good luck!
Will you be testing along with me? Or have you already tried one of Alexandra's patterns? Do tell!