Intern / Apprentice

There is currently an opening for an intern / apprentice. Some days you will be cutting or sewing, some days doing office jobs, some days assist on art projects. You don't have to be especially talented in any of these areas but you do have to be interested in them and have a reliable, compatible personality. This isn't a paid position but it may be one day for the right person. The hours are fairly flexible when we set them up, but once they are set up, the idea is to stay committed to them. In exchange, I will teach you pattern making and advanced sewing techniques. Please include your phone number when contacting me for this position.

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R E S U M E   A N D   P O R T F O L I O

Links to more images of past and current work:

Garment Industry Experience 1993-2010:

PATTERNMAKING

NASH International, New York, NY Assistant Patternmaker / Spec Technician for a high volume garment manufacturer.

  • Measured garments and made technical drawings (flats).
  • Graded flats.
  • Wrote cutters must and sewing instructions.
  • Ordered piece goods, trims and pattern room supplies.
  • Liaison to factories both foreign and domestic.

Freelance Work California, New York, Utah, Texas
Freelance Clothing Design, Patternmaking and Sewing Services

  • Hundreds of clients across the country. Various body types, genders and end uses.
  • Flat pattern development from measurements, through draping and from blocks.
  • Pattern development from existing garments (knockoffs).
  • Work from photos and flats.

PRODUCTION SEWING

EK Industries, Logan, UT
American Apparel, Logan, UT

QUALITY CONTROL

Pro-Tech, Logan, UT
KBS Industries, New York, NY

RETAIL CLOTHING

Andiamo, Pasadena, CA
Ribbons, Redondo Beach, CA
Giada, Austin, TX

SEWING AND PATTERNMAKING INSTRUCTION

First Samples Sewing Lounge, Austin, TX

EDUCATION

AA, Fashion Design, FIDM
BA, Liberal Arts, Utah State University

Annies Omnium Jackies prom dress. Amanda and her mothers wedding dress. Dress for Linda Asaf Kelly Cazalas Audrey Knight First Samples sewing classes Thumbnail Dummy Fish ss pirate jenny

SS Pirate Jenny

SS Pirate Jenny as a clothing label was inspired by the song "Pirate Jenny" sung by the late Nina Simone.

In the song, Jenny scrubs the floor at a crummy old hotel, and is treated poorly by the hotel's patrons. In the song she narrates the day her pirate ship will be coming in to retrieve her and show them who she really is. The fierceness of her belief keeps her going. For me, it is about the lives we lead that cover the bases: food, shelter, work, clothes and then the life that inspires us to get up and out of bed and make a things happen. This spirit is what inspires the clothing: functional, hard working, imaginative, provocative and always fierce.

Brief Bio

I am an apparel pattern maker and as a pattern maker I am also an excellent seamstress. I don't believe it is possible to be a good pattern maker without excelling at sewing. After having sewn for over 30 years and making patterns for more than 20, I am beginning to to truly understand my trade. I also realize that there will always be something new to learn in each new pattern I make and each garment I design and sew.

Through the years I have held many jobs in the different stages a garment goes through from concept to consumer: design, pattern making, spec technician, factory liaison, production sewing, quality control, retail buying, retail sales, and alterations. I also opened a sewing and design school to help others learn the skills it takes to create a garment. In the process it renewed my passion for my craft. This little sewing lounge in Austin Texas, First Samples, was recognized nationally by Time Magazine, The Today Show and more. I have returned now to contract design, patternmaking and sewing along with private advanced sewing and pattern making / pattern alteration instruction and production consulting.

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