Curated By You: Vivian Shao Chen Makes A Linen Terra Dress
Terra Dress made with FS POTTING SOIL Medium Weight Linen
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.
I’m an architect, but also have been working in pottery, sewing, and knitting in my spare time. I have been pursuing pottery for almost four years. I learned sewing from my parents when I was a child. They ran a clothing manufacturing business, making high end women’s clothing. I picked it back up as an adult in the last 20 months or so. I started with sewing with other designers’ patterns, and now have transitioned to drafting almost all my own garments. I taught myself to knit about two years ago as a way to keep my hands busy when I couldn’t physically be up and about!
Why do you sew?
Sewing has given me so much freedom of self expression. This is also true of pottery, but sewing has a very personal layer to it, in that I design my physical appearance through the garments I make myself. When you make something from scratch, there are many decisions you have to make, and each has the chance to reflect your values. I value comfort by choosing certain silhouettes. I value sustainability by choosing natural fibers. I always learn a lot about myself when I sew, because you are faced with the question of, what would you make if you could make anything?
What do you like to listen to when you’re working (and why)?
I almost never listen to anything when I work. Sewing and making pottery requires a lot of physical and mental coordination, and I tend to tune things out when I’m in that zone.
As a child, what was your first encounter and memory of beauty?
I remember pressed flowers that my mom would keep. But in general I don’t remember ever realizing that something was “beautiful” as a child. Though I loved to draw, I was very practicality minded, and liked to follow the rules. I think my sensibility to beauty is more learned and practiced, and still changes.
Where is home and how does it affect what you do?
I currently live in Philadelphia, PA. My husband and I moved here about two years ago from Brooklyn, where we lived for about 6-7 years. Since moving to Philly, I’ve been able to move all my studio practices home, instead of renting studio space elsewhere. I take it for granted now, but it’s amazing to have the space to be able to do pottery and sewing at home. I am a homebody for sure, and I love having my projects and materials nearby. My home is my studio and I love combining the two.
Name a book that you’ve recently read which inspired you and why?
Between my work and all my side projects I don’t get to read much. My mind wanders and I probably now have attention span issues! Does a pattern drafting book count? 🙂 If so, I’ve been learning about grading from Jack Handford’s Professional Pattern Grading!
What was the first thing you ever remember making on your own? Tell us about this memory.
I have so many memories of making things as a kid, though I’m not sure what the correct chronological order is! Maybe a shirt for a moose stuffed animal, probably from fabric scraps from my parent’s clothing manufacturing business.
Who are your muses and inspiration?
I take inspiration from people who have a strong sense of self and worked hard for what they believe in. Sally Fox of Vreseis is someone that comes to mind. She pioneered the organic cotton industry with her research, before we even knew what organic cotton is.
Do you have a community of crafters/ makers around you or do you find you are on your own?
I have found a community through Instagram. I’m so grateful to have a space where I can share ideas, finished or unfinished, terrible or amazing. I’ve met many like-minded friends there, and have learned so much from them.
How important is it to make something with your hands?
10/10!!! I find that I get hungry to make something with my hands, in the same way my body needs food. I would explode with tension if I wasn’t able to.
What does success mean to you?
Success is when I find fulfillment and joy in what I do, under my own terms.
Terra Dress made with FS POTTING SOIL Medium Weight Linen
What have you chosen to make out of FS linen and why?
I’m sewing a button-up shirt, using my upcoming sewing pattern, the Terra Dress in FS POTTING SOIL Medium Weight Linen. The pattern is for a dress, but it is really easy to turn it into a blouse! I’ve drafted a different collar for this one too. I love showing how versatile patterns can be, if you apply a little drafting knowledge.
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22 Comments
Nina Bell
Despite the repeated statements that the pattern is available in the magazine By Hand Serial, Issue No. 15, I fell for it only to find that, yes, the dress pattern is there, but not this collar. Not the hemline for the shirt. So, one is out a solid $25 and still has to do a lot of designing to get what we see here. I feel seriously misled.
Patricia Griffin
I love the collar which you drafted for the Terra blouse. Many years ago I had a white linen blouse with a similar but smaller collar and would love to replicate it. Should you decide to sell it I too would like to purchase the Terra dress/blouse pattern. Please add me to the list of all those who admire your work (and values).
From one PHILLY gal to another, blessings.
Vivian Chen
Thanks Patricia! So nice to hear from another Philly res! I will be announcing more Terra-related news from my social media if you want to be notified. But The Terra pattern was made for the magazine By Hand Serial, and will be available through the purchase of their next issue No 15, which comes out in May. Hope you’re enjoying the weather slowly turning spring!
Nancy Jones
Hello, I LOVE her dress out of the lovely Potting Soil medium weight linen and would very much like to purchase the pattern for the dress when available. May we get on the “waiting list” for said pattern? Cheers and happy sewing,
Nancy Jones
Vivian Chen
Hi Nancy! The Terra pattern was made for the magazine By Hand Serial, and will be available through the purchase of their next issue No 15, which comes out in May, so the best way to get it would be to follow the magazine’s next release date. Thank you so much! Yes I LOVE the potting soil linen!
Nancy Jones
Thank you Vivian! I love your philosophy of creation, including the fact that you like to read non-fiction. Lots of people do not understand that, but I do, as I am the same. I would love to see more of your work. It reminds me of this German draping gal, who takes vintage tablecloths and old sheets with, perhaps, monograms on them and then makes them into one of a kind magnificent pieces. I would really love to stay in touch with you and keep up with your latest designs. My father was a tool designer, and I used to watch him create drawings, all done by hand, meticulous. To draft a pattern, yet freehand if you will, but meticulous in its own way, is just superb. Many best regards, Nancy Jones
Barbara Geshekter
I too would love to purchase the Terra dress pattern. I would never have thought to select that color and yet it’s perfect! You are an inspiration. I’ve often said that I’m a frustrated architect (in real life I’m a psychologist) and I view creating my own patterns and sewing as a way to design and build things. Thank you for sharing your creative process and photos of your projects and studio. You have a wonderful style.
Vivian Chen
Hi Barbara, thanks for your comment! It’s great that you get to release some creative energy into sewing and pattern making. I can totally relate to that. The Terra pattern will be out in May, as part of the next issue of the magazine By Hand Serial. When it sells out I’ll be selling it from my website. 🙂
Cindy Stulken
I love your choice of fabric for dress and blouse. Are theses your patterns or can you provide the link to buy them. I love all the stories and articles that are shared on the blog. I’ve bought many yards of linen from here and so appreciate the free pattern. Thanks for sharing!
Vivian Chen
Thanks Cindy for reading my stories! The Terra pattern was made for the magazine By Hand Serial, and will be available through the purchase of their next issue!
Vicki Bass
Wonderful and inspiring post. I would love to have the Terra Dress pattern. Is it possible to purchase it somewhere?
Vivian Chen
Thank you so much Vicki! The Terra pattern was made for the magazine By Hand Serial, and will be available through the purchase of their next issue No 15, which comes out in May. 🙂
Peggy Hannel
What happy words to hear … “my upcoming sewing pattern, the Terra Dress”. THANK you for sharing with us all your unabashed love of creating, in so many mediums! It is inspiring and encouraging and fills a heart with hope! Personally I LOVED the back view on photo two, LOVED all of photo three, *especially* the line of the sleeves, loved the sweater (and I’m not even living in a sweater climate), and most of all loved peeking into your environment at your pottery and your workshop and all the rest of it! Thanks so much for connecting with us!
Vivian Chen
Hi Peggy, thanks for the sweet comment! Thank you for reading, I really love sharing my work especially when I hear that it inspires someone else to make. 🙂 Hope you get to sew your own Terra dress soon!
Sharon Lucernoni
Love your Terra dress and blouse! Is this pattern available online?
Vivian Chen
Hi Sharon, thanks so much! The Terra pattern was made for the magazine By Hand Serial, and will be available through the purchase of their next issue No 15, which comes out in May.
LEIGH STANTON
I really love the Terra garment. Where can we get the pattern? Also love the white blouse with the detail on the sleeve. Would like to try this pattern as well. You are very talented.
Vivian Chen
Thanks Leigh! The Terra pattern was made for the magazine By Hand Serial, and will be available through the purchase of their next issue No 15, which comes out in May. The other blouse pattern is also in the works, I hope to make it into a sewing pattern soon!
Lesia McQuade
Vivian Shao Chen, thank you for sharing your world and thoughts with us! Your sweater is beautiful and I like how you alter patterns with ease! I too must keep my hands busy creating. I have girl friends that are voracious readers and I kept trying to make myself a reader, but I finally realized my books are more manuals; cookbooks, sewing techniques, and herbal medicine. My husband has some very large coffee table books, In them you will find pressed leaves I have collected; making stencils from some of them. My back yard is my inspiration full of plants, wildlife, and quietness. I see your pottery in the background of the pictures; lovely. Thank you for sharing the book you are looking at now on pattern grading. I will meander over on the internet and take a look at that book. I am happy for you that you have a studio in your home. You are inspiring.
Vivian Chen
Hi Lesia! Your reply made me smile, I so relate to having those friends who are great readers, meanwhile I’m collecting books on pattern drafting! Thanks so much for sharing about your home, it sounds like an inspiring place to be. Good luck finding that grading book, it is a rare one and I had to keep an eye out for a few weeks!
Rosalie Richards
Hi. How do we purchase the TERRA DRESS PATTERN ?
Vivian Chen
Hi Rosalie, thanks for your interest! The pattern was made for the magazine By Hand Serial, and will be available through the purchase of their next issue No 15, which comes out in May.