Skip to main content

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?



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! 


Comments

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I will be sure to share this with Pamela! I will be seeing her tomorrow :O) I'm sure she will be flattered!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I live in Pamela's pencil skirts. I've lost track of how many I have.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Did someone say FREE??? All about Free Sewing Patterns

Hi sewing friends! I am SEW excited to share this blog post with you today! This is my fifth post with Fabric Mart since I did a guest post late last year and then joined the blogging team in 2024 but I would say this is the post that 1) I worked the hardest to create, and 2) the one that has me the most excited! Today I am going to talk about FREE sewing patterns, showcase a few free patterns I’ve sewn, and then share some very exciting news at the end of this post about an upcoming! First, let’s talk about free patterns – where they come from, why they exist, and how you can find them. But first, here’s a recent free pattern I sewed. This is the Finn Crop Tee from Petite Stitchery . I used an ITY (Interlock Twist Yarn) for this one and I was able to squeeze it out a yard of a fabric. ITY is one of my favorite fabrics to dress up a t-shirt and it wears well across all seasons. And Fabric Mart gets the most AMAZING designer deadstock designs you will ever see! Petite Stitchery offers...

Made By A Fabricista: Fall is here!

Fall is here, and I have been in a coat/cape mood lately! I have a few that I plan to make, however, this pattern was not in the plans. It was in my stash, but it wasn’t on my “must make” list. I wanted to make a coordinating set but I thought it might be a little too much with this print. Now, I absolutely love animal prints, don’t get me wrong. I am a sucker for them! When I saw this jacquard double knit I had to have it. Instead, I decided to make an easy, comfortable cape that I can wear casually or dressed up. This pattern and fabric were perfect! The pattern I chose to make is McCall’s 8029. This cape has three designs that you can choose from. I chose to make view C. View C has a hood. All three views have a neck and front facing and a belt/tie. Now, if you are wanting to make a cape but would like something on the easy side, this is your cape! I didn’t realize just how easy this was prior to getting started. This cape has minimal sewing. It doesn’t even require a hem. Which, w...

Made by a Fabricista: Structure

Hi everyone!  I can’t believe the year is nearly wrapping up already and this is my last post for 2024! You may have noticed but the barrel silhouette has been very much in right now from pants to sleeves.  To be honest I was a little bit hesitant about hopping on to the trend.  One I was not sure if the proportions would work for my body also I considered would this be a long lasting trend to keep incorporated in my closet?  But after a few seasons the barrel seems to stay in many variations, I think exaggerated proportions are such a thing now.  I saw this Cult Gaia x Gap denim dress collab with the barrel sleeves and wanted to remake it.  When I saw this brown distressed denim twill I knew it was perfect.  I had been debating between making cargo pants but I wanted to try to do something different and went for the dress once I saw the inspiration.   I used McCall’s pattern 8139 as my base with the following modifications.  Instead of...