Shoreline Shift and Picnic Set Bloomers Ensemble in FS Angora Midweight Signature Finish linen
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into sewing?
I am a mother to two boys (5 & 3) with a baby girl on the way (August 2025). I studied fashion in college, and earned a bachelors degree in fashion merchandising and design. I later learned pattern making and grading in much more detail which was such a bright refresh of that rich time at fashion school. Learning is so special.
I got into sewing as a child. My mom would pull out a sewing machine here and there to fix things. I was always so intrigued by the machine, but she made it clear that it was off limits to me. That made it more interesting and I got my hands on it any chance I could! Sewing didn’t click for me until high school (~2012), when I was actually allowed to be using the sewing machine. Then, the passion grew immensely in college. Now, as a mother, I don’t think I’d survive without it.
Why do you sew?
It gives me the creative outlet I need. It started with curiosity of the sewing machine, which evolved to the curiosity of how garments are made, and that lead to the curiosity of my own creativity and ability to bring ideas to life. It sparks so much joy and awakens my passions in ways nothing else does. As a mother to young children, it is so important to not lose what ignites your own creative mind and exercise those muscles!
Shoreline Shift and Picnic Set Bloomers Ensemble in FS Angora Midweight Signature Finish linen
Where is home and how does it affect your creative practice?
I live in a small town on the central coast of California. In the fashion world, there’s nothing here. To me, this place is everything. I was born and raised here, left the area for college, and couldn’t wait to get out of the busy city and move back home.
I have maybe three real life friends who enjoy sewing where I live. It’s so different than when I was in college and could send a text to a group of people and we would all go to the fabric store together, chat about our ideas, get inspired from each other, go back to someone’s apartment and start working on our projects. We were so high from excitement, inspiration, community, and collaboration. I think about those times often.
My creative practice at home now is very lonely, which is sometimes needed at the end of a long day with the kids. The sewing community on social media absolutely fills that gap when I need and I am so grateful for that.
As a child, what was your first encounter and memory of beauty?
It was all in nature. An empty central coast beach in the fall, Big Sur on a sunny spring day, an early morning on the calm lake. I still remember driving into Yosemite for the first time. My dad told us to look out of the front window in just a second because it’ll be the most breathtaking view. I remember thinking it can’t be that great, we have seen trees and mountains before… when the view came I remember my sisters and me in the car all gasping with a “wow” nearly in unison. The beauty in nature is so abundant.
Shoreline Shift and Picnic Set Bloomers Ensemble in FS Angora Midweight Signature Finish linen
Has your sewing practice changed your relationship to your body image and self- acceptance?
Absolutely. During the end of high school, through college, and a few years after graduating I modeled for various brands. At one point it was my job that paid the bills. That environment can take a hit on your body image and self-acceptance. I remember for one brand I was tagged as the super small size model who would model the smaller garments that the other models on hand wouldn’t fit into. That, coupled with finding big four patterns not grading down to my size (at the time), and of course various unwelcome and insensitive comments really had an impact on me. Things have changed with my body now, but the biggest change in learning to accept “me” was finally finding that sewing community I know i’ve mentioned. People of all sizes are so welcomed with open arms. Many Independent pattern designers like myself are making sure to include all sizes possible, or working to acquire the skills to do so. It is so bright and accepting to be part of that movement. It has certainly helped change my mindset of my own body for the better as well.
What are your seven favourite sewing patterns?
Maybe these will come off a little biased as a pattern designer, but I’ll be totally honest!
- My all time favorite sewing pattern is the Picnic Set. I have countless in my closet, it is simple to make, easy to wear, and endlessly hackable. The bloomers are the absolute cherry on top that I pair with most mini dresses now.
- The Shoreline Shift sewing pattern I just released has been on repeat for me. It is so easy breezy to make and wear! I can’t get enough of it for summer.
- The Gwen Dress because of the adjustable fit, the design details, gosh overall it is just magnificent. I am always in awe when I see another pop up in the hashtag or on my feed. Quite a stunner!
- Okay, I have yet to actually make this pattern on the bias, but I have 5 on grain versions that I love! The Clo bias skirt by Soften Studio is just such a great basic! I have a few simple versions and a few in epic prints that I wanted to show off on an open sort of canvas. It’s been working throughout pregnancy which is saving me at the moment!
- It took me forever to finally try the Lane pants by Sydney Graham, but after the first pair I knew it was THE elastic waist pant pattern for me. I now have SO many variations. It’s another pattern that has fit throughout pregnancy and gosh, to have options in the wardrobe at 32 weeks pregnant is a game changer!
- I’m a jeans gal through and through. I miss wearing jeans so much right now. The Helene Jeans by Anna Allen are definitely a favorite. They are a selvedge workwear style that I find so perfect for what I want in my jeans. I was working on a pant pattern (Lacey Jean) with an adjustable lace up back section inspired by 1940s workwear jeans and I wore them up to around 27 weeks pregnant! The pattern has been fit tested and formally tested, but needs a few tweaks that I’ll be working on as soon as I can wear jeans again.
- I love making jackets and cannot leave out the Flora Jacket by Brightside Fabric Co, the Rue Quilt Coat by Spaghetti Western Sewing, and my Baja Barn Jacket. Sorry to throw three in here, but they all serve a different purpose and are sew worth the sew!
Shoreline Shift and Picnic Set Bloomers Ensemble in FS Angora Midweight Signature Finish linen
Do you have a community of makers around you or do you find you are on your own?
In person, the amount of people who sew around me are few. The online sewing community is so abundant and feels so close and rich. That truly helps fill my cup. There are many inspiring makers of different mediums around me (in real life) that encourage me in my creative life. One is a chain stitcher and tattoo artist named Sarandon (@saltyrosechainstitch). I’ve known her my whole life and she has always been so true to herself. It’s inspiring to watch her create such beautiful art in different mediums.
How important is it to make something with your hands?
The preference to make something with my own hands is so strong. For example, I do not buy ready to wear clothing for myself because I know I won’t wear it, simply because I didn’t make it and I don’t know who did. I want to have made it all with my own hands. I don’t know why I put that wall up for myself, but I respect that innate importance of making whatever it is myself, or at least trying to.
What has been the most rewarding sewing project you’ve completed so far and why?
To me, the Gwen Dress feels incredibly rewarding. Start to finish. I love the Christy Dawn Adele dress and Narcissa dress and always wanted to make my own. It is quite an intricate design with no other sewing patterns out there like it. I felt so accomplished when I developed the Gwen dress pattern and sewing the dress just feels so nice as you watch it all come together. It takes a little time and attention to detail and it’s just all so worth it for such a beautiful dress at the end.
Shoreline Shift and Picnic Set Bloomers Ensemble in FS Angora Midweight Signature Finish linen
What is more important to you – the process or the final product (ie your garment)?
This is such a hard one to answer! I certainly sew because I love the process. If I make something that doesn’t get worn, I likely learned something while making it and had a great time. That’s worth it to me still. Of course in that situation I really dislike the waste of fabric and notions, so it’s also very important to have a great final product that gets lots of love and wear! And of course I don’t start a project I don’t think I’ll end up liking. So the end product idea really fuels the process of sewing the garment to begin with.
What does success mean to you?
Honestly a good time. Whatever it is, if it’s a good time, that’s a success. Whether it’s a good day at the beach or a full day of sewing, if it’s a good time, that’s success!! Happiness = success.
Shoreline Shift and Picnic Set Bloomers Ensemble in FS Angora Midweight Signature Finish linen
What have you chosen to make out of FS linen and why?
I chose to make my latest pattern, the Shoreline Shift! At the end of the pattern instructions I mention some simple hacks to inspire more use of a single pattern. I used three of those in one! I gathered the neckline and used beading lace to thread the neckline tie. I also inserted lace to the armholes and added an eyelet trim ruffle to the hem. I made the dress and the top version of the pattern because I just could not decide what would get worn more. Ultimately I decided both would get worn lots! I realized I also had enough fabric to make a pair of Picnic Set bloomers, which inspired me to also shorten my Shoreline Shift dress by 3” to show off the bloomers! I ended up hacking the bloomers as well. I left the leg elastic off for a shorts look and drew a new sort of high, low hem line based on a pair of Christy Dawn shorts I had seen recently. I added the same eyelet ruffle hem and the same beading lace at the waist where I threaded a tie as well. I am so beyond pleased with how these three pieces turned out! The FS linen feels so luxurious and all the lace details I added really elevate and compliment the overall look. I’m seriously so impressed.
What is it like working with fabrics-store linen? (once you have completed your project)
It is honestly so luxurious. I have never worked with a linen as nice as Fabrics-Store linen. The weight and tightness of the weave is exactly what I had hoped for, but never seem to find. The Angora linen I chose to use here is obviously a pale color that I’m always worried will be too translucent if the weave isn’t right. The weight is also perfect to provide enough structure and opacity, yet it is still drapey and so soft. Seriously this FS linen is what I always hope for in a linen and I’m so happy I can find it now!
