The Design Process

I have been inspired to write this post because of the Zero waste movement.  There are a few Zero waste challenges, particularly the #sewcialistszerowaste.  I have been following with a real interest and would like to contribute this pattern idea. Shapes that utilize cloth and fit most bodies can be found throughout costume history.  When cloth had to be woven by hand there was real motivation to use every last scrap. This is a fascinating subject- However this is about reverse engineering the Carla rock.The Carla has the same construction as the Big pants- with the feet cut off.  First...

Dear Ann, Your questions really got under my skin... In a good way, Thank you!   1.Where did your business name come from? My label is called “Stokx “ It is a phonetic version of my last name Stokes.  It  was /is  often mispronounced by German speakers.   When I opened my shop I called it The Stokx Shop  and now my patterns project   is called Stokx patterns , because they are.. 2.How did you get started designing sewing patterns?  My mother sewed , my grandmother knitted and crocheted, my grandfather was a builder and my father was a draughtsman. I...

How long is a piece of string? Or  The rag trade is just that- It isn´t you  What size are you?... It depends.. Are we measuring height? Most people are between 1,50 m ( 5´) and 2m ( 6`9”) Or are we just measuring the leg length ? outside leg? or inside leg?   Are we measuring girth? Which girth ? Chest ? Waist ? Neck ? Wrist ?  All of these measurements have been used for different sizing systems. And…... all of them are WRONG !… for somebody.  The german system sizing men's suits* is one of the most...

Why I decided to upload my patterns Dear Folks,  It gives me so much pleasure to see the shapes I have defined blossom into so many colours and variations. This could never happen if I had held onto them in my shop. No shop is big enough to have every size , every colour , every length … ready to wear. So many of us just want what we want and are willing to make it happen.   I feel such a kinship with people who make things. It is hands on and engaged rather than cold, judgemental and distant like...