Patterns By Figgy's 

The 2 people behind new pattern brand Patterns by Figgy's (PBF) Karen LePage and Shelly Figueroa have kindly agreed to tell us about their brilliant designs, what led to them working together and what we can expect from their fall collection:

Please tell us about PBF:  Who are the patterns for? When did you launch?

PBF is a fairly new children's clothing pattern designer company.  We create patterns to make modern garb for kids ranging from 12mo - 14yrs.  There are many people learning to sew and embracing the Do-It-Yourself movement these days, but not everyone was fortunate enough to have been taught to sew by their parents or grandparents.  Our patterns are part teacher/ part inspiration.  We love to support our fellow DIYers and seamsters, which is why we have a generous sharing policy. "Patterns by Figgy's" took its first step in 2008, but wasn't walking until the Fall of 2009.

I hear you have an interesting story about how you met. How did you mee

(Shelly)  Plain and simple, I stalked Karen on flickr.  Flickr is a community site where people share their thoughts, passions and creativity through photography.  22 months ago I was thumbing through an Anna Maria Horner "garden party" group and I saw the most amazing pinafore.  I simply typed, "Can I just say, wow" and this sparked a conversation, which then blossomed into friendship.  I checked each day to see what Karen was going to upload next.  I thrived off her designs - they brought me so much inspiration.  As our friendship grew (online) she shared with me that she was a graphic designer and I shared with her that I needed some serious help in that area.  I hired her instantly and she took my choppy hand drawings and made them gorgeous.  She designed my logo, my cover design and illustrations.  She made me pretty.  As time passed we discovered how alike we are in so many ways and how different we are in so many good ways.  I would say she is my ying as I am her yang.  One day I just said, "You know what K, why don't we just be partners?"

[Karen] Fortunately for our partnership, Shelly didn't tell me she and her mother were "stalking" me until we met in person.  I did notice that Shelly and I always seem to buy the same fabric, we love making beautiful things, and we both share strong beliefs about what Handmade means to us.  If it weren't for Flickr, I don't know that we'd ever have met, and what a shame that would be!

Where did the name Patterns by Figgy's come from?

(Shelly)  One day I was at my parent's home visiting and my Dad mentioned that he had a dream that I had owned a fabric shop and I named it "Figgy's So & Sew".  I knew then that was it, "Figgy's" (thanks Dad). 

[Karen] The discussion was really pretty quick as I already felt ownership over the PBF name, having designed the logo. We decided to reserve the names of my clothing company for a ready-to-wear line in the future. 

How did you decide whom to design for?

(Shelly)  I began with only girl patterns/designs and I think this is because I have two wonderful boys at home but I needed a girl fix.  When Karen became my partner we discussed the idea of designing for boys because, let's face it, there's not much out there for our little heartbreakers.

[Karen] I have always made clothing for boys because my 12 year old son has needed clothes that are extra smooth and soft on the inside.  He still wears my handmade garments to school.  (If an almost-teenager likes my work, I must be doing something right!)  When I found out I was pregnant with Ella I started going into sewing overdrive.  I wanted to make EVERYTHING for her.  I quickly became frustrated with the limited offerings in major fabric stores around here and started to read on the internet and explore independent pattern designers.  A whole new world opened up for me!

Where do you get inspiration for your patterns? Do you have kids yourselves? Do you find yourselves designing for them?

(Shelly) Pattern inspiration for me comes from rummaging through family photos, mostly those from my grandmothers stash, walking through a fabric shop (preferably a small local shop) & watching kids just be kids. 

I have two awesome active boys ages 7 and 3 ½. 

I design for the boys often and every design I create has to have my sons' approvals, even some of the girl items.  Before they knew what a dress or skirt really was they would be a fit model and dance around, of course I took photos.

[Karen] Yes, we have children.  A lot of children; in addition to my two (12 and 3) I also have a 19 year old stepdaughter and a twelve year old stepson.  Inspiration comes from everywhere: traditional clothing in our culture and others, fabrics, textures, special requests from my kids, flowers, and architecture.  I am even inspired by music some days.

Can you tell us a bit more about the pattern making process-what steps are involved? How long does it take?

(Shelly)  It begins with a design that is usually sketched onto anything that is close by at the moment. I send my thoughts over to Karen and ask for opinions and thoughts. She makes computer drawings with fancy pencils and stuff.

[Karen] I am definitely the techy-nerd between the two of us, but Shelly is the business whiz.  I sketch in a book that I take with me everywhere.  I also like to draw shapes on my tablet PC in Illustrator and see where those ideas take me.   A quick email or file share over Skype and we are on our way to collaboration.

{both} At this point it becomes "our" pattern vs. mine or hers. We share and take turns with different responsibilities as far as the pattern making process goes. We are brutally honest with one another when critiquing designs, and also sometimes invite others to weigh in as well. We decide together who gets to (or must do) do what. At this point we need to make mock up garments, grade the pattern, take the pencil drawings and turn them into gorgeous lines (all Karen) "Make them pretty."

[Karen] ...and then Shelly makes a to-do list for me.  A long one.  We talk every day, sometimes for moments, sometimes for hours.  Once we have our basic pattern put together and graded to fit the size range we've decided upon offering, and instructions written and illustrated, we send the patterns to a lovely group of patterns testers.  They are wonderful.  Varying levels of expertise among the testers means that we garner insights from beginner to expert.  They provide feedback on our instructions, the drafting of the pattern pieces themselves, our illustrations, everything we need to know before a design goes to market. 

How do you decide what fabrics to use for the photos on the pattern packets?

(Shelly) For the very first line we printed, we chose fabric from our stash that we loved.  Shortly after we published the initial patterns, a fabric designer asked us if we would represent a new fabric line they were about to release.  The designer worked for the EE Schenck distribution company and we jumped at the chance to be exposed to a large audience. 

In order to do that, though, we needed to remake all the garments, and reshoot all the covers using their fabric.  It was a fun experience working directly with a fabric designer.  The next two lines we chose our fabric by roaming the fabric aisles and let the fabric speak to us. However, I would say that the summer and Fall line represent our company & who we are as a team.  

How many patterns do you start with and how many make it through to the final stage?

(Shelly) Karen and I have a backlog of designs to use when the timing is right.  There is a lot that goes into how we decide which one is up next.  Sometimes we get through the entire grading process of a design and then scrap it.  If we don't feel 100% positive, then it's not going to be seen until it is.  Our Fall line is probably our most favorite to date because we really wanted to release pattern using knit fabric and we wanted to offer more boy patterns.

[Karen] I have books and books I have sketched up, waiting to be produced into patterns.  I have made my own clothes for a long time, and always think of something I'd like to change, or something completely different in construction or style.  I save these ideas in my notebooks and on scraps of paper, and in drafts of emails...everywhere.  So far, very few have made it to a production stage.  We wanted to start small. We did, and we do everything ourselves.

How do you find pattern testers?

(Shelly) Sometimes they find us.  We have people offer to help test quite often.  What we look for is a balance of seamsters who range from beginner to expert.  Each tester needs to have a different size to test for.   We also like to have testers who have a blog or site so that they can talk about their experience as a tester.

Please tell us about your patterns sharing policy.

[Karen] We want to help seamsters. We know times are tough now, and families are cutting back on expenses.  We find it important to share, because creating a pattern and designing from scratch can take a lot of time and hard work.  I know not everyone has the time to learn how, especially with our little ones running us around in circles. 

We especially empathize with the home seamster who creates children's clothing to sell at markets, online and otherwise.  We believe the Handmade movement is powerful.  We hope that our patterns will help provide a little more time in the day, and inspiration to create.

Recently we received this email from one of our new seamsters that tells us we're right on target:

Hi Shelly, This is TC. I wanted to thank you for the patterns i received this week. You truly inspire me! I am new to the sewing world and have been having A LOT of fun and surprised myself and family with my creations so far. I can't wait to try these patterns. I am ultimately grateful for your generosity in letting the finished products be sold. I will respect and honor your policies!  

From a mom of two trying to build a business from home, Thank you!

TC

When is your next collection out? Can you tell us what to expect?

(Shelly) Our Fall Collection is going to be released August 1, 2010.  You can expect to sew our favorite collection to date.  Patterns for girls/boys and all are garments you can wear all year long. 

"Tee for Two," a raw-edged Tee shirt pattern that also includes a Tee shirt dress and three sleeve options for all seasons.  I like this pattern a lot because it's quick (I love instant gratification) and I love that the dress can be made super girly with flower appliqués or sporty and paired with jeans.  (pictured below)

"Little Woo" is a swingy cardigan made with knit and woven fabric.  It's a wonderful pattern to teach an intimidated seamster how to sew with knits.  You can also play this pattern dressy or casual.  We know this will be a sure hit for all seasons and we can't wait to see all the photos of what our seamsters combine for fabrics. (pictured above)

"Dapper Dillingers" are trousers with flat fronts and elastic backs.  These are roomy and can be made all year long in different types of fabrics.  The cover shows the pants on boys but they can certainly be made for little girls too.  Just ask Ella, she has a few pairs that look super cute on her.  (pictured right)

[Karen] Thanks Shelly, I love those trousers.  I've even made them in denim with gingham contrast for my girly girl. 

What feedback have you had from your first collection?

{both} We have the most wonderful seamster support ...from those who follow our blog and upload photos to our Flickr group, to crafty folks we meet around town.  We are here because of them. 

Since January we have added 5 distribution companies and gone worldwide.  We have learned a lot of lessons these past 7 months, and every one of them has been a good lesson:  made us stronger, better company, and closer friends and partners.

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

(Shelly) Last year, I made a list of 5 favorite fabric shops where I wanted to see our patterns. So far 4 of those are currently stocking our line.  My hope is to have that last shop on my list crossed off.  Future plans:  Quilt market with our Spring/Summer line as a focus and a big project that we will share with you in 2011.  

[Karen] We want to find fans the world over.  We hope garments made from our patterns will be favorites of the children who wear them.  We'd love to build a community of seamsters who share their knowledge and experience with each other based on a common fondness for our patterns.  Most importantly, we plan to keep releasing patterns and doing what we love, growing smarter and more capable all the while!

Find out more about Patterns By Figgy's by visiting their website here: http://patternsbyfiggys.com/ or their blog here: http://patternsbyfiggys.com/blog/.  If you are looking for UK stockists of Pattern's By Figgy's then pop over to www.backstitch.co.uk.

 Photos are of Patterns By Figgy's new fall collection and were taken by Ms. Jonah Rondon at http://jonahrondon.com