Why is There So Much Tension in the Sewing Community?

Join Stitched By Podcast host Auri as she speaks with four guests about the tension that exists between sewists and patternmakers in the sewing community. This is part 2 of the conversation. Listen to Part 1 here.

About the Episode:

In this conversation, we discuss the feasibility of paid pattern tests, pattern standardization in the sewing community, education of pattern designers, size inclusivity and more! Watch the interview on YouTube here.

About the Guests:

Jade: Patternmaker (jaderselise) Jade is a self-taught sewist who has been obsessed with sewing patterns for over 20 years. With a passion for all things handmade, she focuses on spreading the joy of DIY, so you too can say, “Thanks, I made it!” While she has her own line of sewing patterns (These Days Sewing Patterns), she also enjoys creating her series “There’s A Pattern For That” to share other sewing pattern designers and encourage sewists to try their hand at pattern manipulation. At the end of the day, she wants her community to feel empowered to tackle any project.

Kenniesha: Sewist (ofjoyandwonder) Kenniesha Morgan, better known as OfJoyAndWonder, is self-taught sewist who has consistently sewn since 2018-2019. She loves to make her own clothes, and is trying to be as sustainable in her process by primarily using secondhand fabrics and textiles. She is plus size so navigating having to do pattern adjustments is a part of the process, and sometimes it can be a pain point.

Lauryn: Patternmaker (sewnwithgrit) Lauryn is a patternmaker, sewist, and educator. She did her undergraduate and graduate education in Fine/Visual Arts and has consistently used sewing (and other fiber arts) as both a personal practice and an artistic one for well over a decade. Lauryn lives in California with her husband and dog, Grit, who is the namesake of her sewing pattern business. Lauryn strives to make Sewn With Grit Patterns enjoyable, educational, and unique; her designs are meant to stand the test of time and be worn for a variety of activities and lifestyles. She just released her newest pattern the "Anyday Pant" and you can find it on her http://sewnwithgrit.com/ or on Etsy.

Stephanie: Multi-Disciplinary Crafter (bystephtime) Stephanie Lennox is a multi-disciplinary crafter residing in Atlanta, GA specializing in sewing, knitting and gardening who makes sewing patterns and content for the people of the internet. She has three cats and also works in the film industry as a wardrobe stylist.

Thank you for listening!

I hope you enjoy the episode, please let me know what you think and if you have a topic you would like to hear discussed in future episodes!The next episode will be about pattern designers who take a hiatus from their business and why 🌷