In the Studio with Pamela's Patterns
This week's featured pattern designer is Pamela Leggett from Pamela's Patterns. I have bee very fortunate to work with Pamela for the past three years selling her wholesale fabrics for Steve's Sewing and Vacuum (you will read about that below!) I've even been in her fabulous studio! Threads Magazine featured her sewing room about a year ago and let me tell you, it is a gorgeous as the photos show! Enjoy learning a little bit about Pamela and her journey through the industry.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Michigan where both my grandmothers and mom
did many types of handcrafts: sewing,
knitting, crocheting, painting, weaving, beading. My mom was a great teacher and encouraged my
love of sewing. I actually started
earning money with my sewing skills at age 14!
I’ve had many types of jobs, all related to sewing, design, teaching and
business. Hands-on work was my
“college”. I’ve been teaching since
1981, and it is my true passion. I love
working with women. Women who sew are so
giving and inspiring. When you teach,
you get to hear all their amazing stories.
I spent 22 years in Connecticut where I raised my two
children. My daughter sews beautifully
and uses her skills to sew for people she cares about. I have four wonderful grandchildren who make
me laugh all the time. I married Bill in
2005 and moved to the Philadelphia area.
He has two teenage daughters who live with us part time.
My work life consists of teaching locally, traveling to
teach, running Pamela’s Patterns and working for publishers such as Threads
Magazine. I just finished a serger DVD
with Threads called Fashion Serge, which will be released in the Fall of
2014. We are also working on a serger
book/DVD combo, which will be released in the Fall of 2015.
What is a typical work day like?
I have three aspects to my work life.
Traveling – When I am traveling to teach, I have to
prepare several weeks in advance so that products can be shipped to the
location. The day before I leave is when
I get my class plan together and pack.
Once I get to the location, I have to set up my “Pamela’s Patterns
Store” and get all my multi-media equipment set up prior to students
arriving. Teaching all day makes it
worthwhile! Then break everything down,
pack it up and travel back home. Sometimes
I am at the location for several days.
Teaching at Steve’s Sewing in King of Prussia, PA – This
is where I teach locally. I am usually
teaching there 24+ hours per week. I
teach a variety of classes, private lessons and guide classes. I am also responsible for purchasing,
maintaining and merchandising the fashion fabric carried in the store.
Pamela’s Patterns – My studio and warehouse is in my
home, so on days when I am there, I get up and get ready for work right away
(at least most of the time!). Then down
to my studio to start working on Pamela’s Patterns. This usually consists of answering emails,
working with my assistant on shipping and receiving, planning for classes,
working on new designs and sewing. I
wish I could say t
hat I get to sew all the time, but that is actually the hardest part to make time for!!
What made you want to be a pattern designer?
I am the instructor for the Palmer/Pletsch East School of
Sewing where we teach a hands-on way to fit commercial patterns. Most of my customers have mature
figures. I was fascinated at how the
body changed as it matures. It didn’t
seem to matter what the weight of the person was, it was the curves and scallops
that were different. Commercial patterns
are made for a youthful figure. I wanted
desperately to make patterns for the changing figure so women would feel
empowered to sew for themselves and be happy with the results.
Did you go to school for fashion? If so, where? If not, how
did you get into what you’re doing?
I never went to a formal school for design, but I have
always studied and taken classes with sewing educators I admired. I made custom patterns for students in my
classes, but I was not a professional pattern maker, just self taught. In 2004, I decided to make three of my
standard patterns into a multi-size pattern to make it easier on me when I was
teaching. I had to learn how to grade
the patterns, add graphics, print, make instructions, photograph and package. It was way more work than I thought! My editor at Threads Magazine ran a story on
the patterns, and all of a sudden I was a pattern designer!
What inspires the patterns you make?
I want them to be simple to make, easy to fit, and a
classic style that one would wear every day.
I leave the complicated and super fashionable patterns to others!
Who is your favorite fashion designer?
I love the detailing, fabric and styling of Tahari. I try to go into their showroom at least once
a year for inspiration. The clothes are
beautiful on the inside as well as the outside!
What is the best thing about what you do? The hardest thing?
The best thing is the teaching – it’s what makes
everything else I do worthwhile! The
interaction with other women is amazing.
We all learn so much from each other, and not all of it is about sewing! The hardest thing is delegating and time management. I don’t know if I will ever get that totally
right!
Out of all the sewing patterns you created, which is your
favorite?
I love the #105 The Perfect Tank Top and the #109 Magic Pencil Skirt.
Do you have a favorite pattern designer, (other than
yourself!)?
I love working with the Palmer/Pletsch patterns available
in McCall’s. They have all the pattern
markings built in for fitting. I am a
huge fan of Stretch & Sew, even though they are no longer in business. I learned so much from working with those
patterns. I am excited to see the young
independent pattern designers today. I
hope they keep doing it!
What is your favorite fabric type?
I definitely have a love affair with knits and stretch
wovens! I really like wool knits, they
come in so many varieties of weights that you can wear them all year
round. Silk of any kind are also faves.
What is your favorite sewing tool?
That would have to be my rotary cutter and mat. I also have a love affair with drafting and
quilting rulers – I can never have enough!
Where do you go when you need to get away from it all?
Spending time with my grandchildren would be my
favorite! But I also love movies, books
and theatre. And the ocean!
What is your favorite food?
That would have to be lobster and sushi. And my guilty pleasure would be licorice
(thanks grandma!)
What is the most common fabric/sewing-related question
people ask you?
Most common fabric question – Where can I get good
knits? I tell them Fabric Mart, of
course!
Most common sewing question – What is the best way to sew
on knits? I have lots of info on
that! Just check out Pamela’s Patterns website for YouTube tutorials, downloads, DVD’s and patterns!
What is one fashion trend you love? Hate?
I love all the draping, ruching and color blocking. I hate people who where leggings like pants!
Are you working on any new patterns? Can you give us any
behind-the-scenes info?
I’m working on two new patterns. The Pretty Peplum Top is made for knits and
can be made with a jewel, scoop or keyhole neckline. The Softly Pleated Dress or Tunic is also
made for knits and has a slightly elevated waistline and very small gentle
pleats to hide tummy and “fluff”. Both
garments are a lesson in proportion.
They look great on all figure types once the proportion is correct! The patterns are just about ready to be sent
to the printer, and then I have to finish the instructions, have the cover
photography done and do a few YouTube videos.
Making the pattern is just the first step!
Thanks Pamela for giving us an inside view of your busy life! I know I'm really excited about the new sewing patterns. Can't wait to buy some for our website too!
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Posted on June 23 2014
Wonderful interview! I'm a long time fan of Pamela's Patterns as they fit my mature figure so well! Thank you for sharing with us.
Glad you enjoyed it JoAnne!
I have started to sew clothing again after taking some time off, I love Pamela's patterns, b/c once fitted well,all I have to do is look for new inspiration ( which is all around!) and then make up my version of what I would like it to be. The patterns are indeed simple, if you take the time to fit correctly, No one would know that re using the same group of patterns in many diff ways affords one so many many looks. I use her patterns primarly for dressier outfits and have worn patterns of hers to the opera, symphony and plays. Now that she has the new pants pattern out( and DVD) I will expand into some more casual clothing . I have a difficult time fitting myself bc I am a small person, It takes less time for me to cut and sew a pencil or bias skirt than it does to go shopping and try to find a well made outfit. I did just come across this article by accident since I am looking for inspiration for sewing her patterns and am very glad to hear she is coming out w/ 2 new patterns soon! My sewing time for myself is valuable, I also am learning to quilt for my grandchildren, so her patterns work well for me , fit me well, and also are not so overly complicated and frustrating that I can spend other sewing time for the grandchildren. BTW, I love her new slip/ undergarment pattern, It surely is worth the time to invest in this pattern also!
I will be sure to share this with Pamela! I will be seeing her tomorrow :O) I'm sure she will be flattered!
I live in Pamela's pencil skirts. I've lost track of how many I have.