STITCH SOCIAL :: KATHERINE - Stitch Sew Shop

We’ve had the pleasure of chatting about fabric with Katherine since Stitch first opened, and we just adore the fresh and stylish garments she makes. Read all about how she got started sewing, what motivates her to keep going, and her yearly tradition of making coordinated outfits for her family photos! Katherine also shares all about her beautiful sewing projects on instagram: @kat.luvs.fashion.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SEWING AND WHAT GOT YOU STARTED?
1. I remember exactly what got me into sewing. I used to shop at Barneys New York a lot, and usually for full-price items that are not too complicated to tailor (hem, take in a bit at the waist, etc), they did it for free. One time I came across a dress with a back zipper; I’m 5’2” in height and the dress was clearly designed for someone taller, so the back zipper humped out. Not flattering! I asked if the tailors would be able to alter it. The answer was that they could, by taking out the zipper and putting in a shorter zipper, but since the dress was on sale, they would have to charge me for the alteration and it would cost $120. Just for the alteration. I was in shock; I know it’s not an easy or quick task, so I didn’t mind that there was a charge, but I think I was just in shock that an alteration could cost that much. Right away, I decided that I could learn to sew and start making my own clothes that would fit my body without having to encounter a situation like this again. That was back in 2009, and I have been sewing ever since.
This goes beyond the question, I know, but it’s about why I continue to sew. Sometimes people ask me how long it takes to make something. It occurred to me that “how long it takes” is not a factor at all when I sew, and in fact it doesn’t even enter my mind. Sewing is not a chore to me; it’s challenging in a fun way (I like thinking about fashion design) and it makes me happy, and when I’m sewing I actually get into a flow in which I have no idea how much time has passed. When I’m done, I feel proud that I made something, and as a bonus, I have a beautiful garment to wear! I keep sewing because I discovered it’s one of my favorite things to do.
HOW DID YOU FIRST FIND STITCH?
Before Stitch even materialized as a shop, I was in fibre space, knitting in the lounge area when I met Kalle. Kalle and Danielle (the owner of fibre space) were also knitting in the lounge area, and Kalle talked about a business plan for a sewing shop. I had to make sure that I heard correctly – a sewing shop?! In Old Town?! I excitedly awaited Stitch’s opening. I went the first day Stitch opened, and since then have been very grateful for its existence.
TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST THING YOU EVER MADE.
A red dress in linen that has curved front and back yokes and the remainder of the dress is caught with stitch-in-the-ditch. It seems to me in hindsight that that dress is not a beginner’s pattern with curves and topstitching, but I’m glad I powered through it. I still have that dress.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT SEWING?
Currently, play with my toddler, knit, read (I’m into philosophy and psychology now), and watch TV. Pre-pandemic, I also loved visiting art museums and traveling.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF FABRIC TO WORK WITH?
Cotton lawn. It’s such a pleasure to work with. I don’t like high maintenance fabrics (I don’t need more stress in my life) and I generally despise synthetic fabrics (I don’t want microplastics entering the water supply from synthetic garments being washed, and I find repulsive that crunchy-ness and lack of breathability that are inherent characteristics of synthetic fabrics).
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROUDEST MAKE!
Grainline Studio’s Yates Coat. It fits so well and I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it. I think it looks more difficult to make than it actually was. Shockingly, I never took any photos of it, now that I think about it.
TEAM TRACE OR TEAM CUT (FOR PAPER PATTERNS)?
1. Definitely trace for patterns that come in multiple sizes. I would like to think that I could gift a me-made garment to someone who’s a different size (after I make one for myself), in which case I would need the entirety of the pattern intact. For vintage patterns, this is a non-issue because they only came in one size and most of the time have been cut by the previous owner.
WHAT SEWING TOOL COULD YOU NEVER LIVE WITHOUT?
Seam ripper. As much as I try to sew perfectly and never mess up, I just know that is an impossible standard.
WHAT IS YOUR SEWING SET UP LIKE? DO YOU HAVE A DESIGNATED SPACE?
I am very lucky to have a designated sewing space. My sewing machine is on a little antique table that is just a tad larger than the sewing machine. My serger sits on the floor; when I need to use the serger, it switches places with the sewing machine. I have several bookcases that I use to store all of my sewing *stuff* – my fabric collection alone fills almost an entire bookcase.
DO YOU HAVE A CERTAIN TYPE OF GARMENT THAT YOU LIKE TO SEW, OR A PATTERN THAT YOU HAVE MADE MANY TIMES?
Dresses for sure. They are very versatile and in accordance with my dislike of high maintenance, I just put on one garment and I’m good to go!
TELL US ABOUT A FAVORITE STITCH MEMORY!
Ever since my daughter was born, we started a tradition of annual family photos wearing garments that I made. It feels extra special to be wearing something that I made for such a meaningful event to me. For the first year, my husband, daughter, and I all had shirts made of the same fabric (but we each had different styles). For the second year, my daughter and I coordinated with the same fabric while my husband coordinated in color palette. In each instance, the fabrics were from Stitch. I’m planning to continue this tradition!
Another one of my favorite memories was seeing someone in the Stitch workspace wearing a denim/chambray pinafore-type dress. It looked so cool. Anyone who knows me would say that I am an introvert; I would rather not talk to a stranger unless absolutely necessary. I ultimately determined that the pinafore dress in front of me was so cool that it was absolutely necessary to find out about it. I asked this person if she made it, and it turns out she did. It was made with the Helen’s Closet York Pinafore pattern (yay – I could make my own!). This person is named Marianne, and it turns out she is also a Stitch regular. We are now friends, and we get together (virtually during the pandemic) to sew on Sundays whenever possible.
Stitch Social is a monthly interview series that features some of the members of our wonderful sewing community.