It was the 1990's. Having been an avid sewer all my life, and I was suffering from fashion boredom and felt like a prisoner without any choices. Whether I liked it or not, I was bound by what the fashion machine dished out to me. I had been working as a seamstress since 1988, and it was time to move on to the next level.
After 10 years of school (and still raising children), I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Apparel Design from Oregon State University where I concentrated my studies and training in vintage and historic garments. I was thrilled to receive a generous summer undergraduate research grant to study, reproduce, and then imitate the works of Madeleine Vionnet who is renowned for her mastery of draping and the bias cut.
After graduation, I spent several years creating special occasion clothing for my family and clients across the country. This was the birth of Gowns by Laura. In my spare time, I also designed historic costumes for theater and movies. I also loved designing for fashion shows which included everything from recycled clothing to high end juried competitions. I earned many awards and recognition for my work. I LOVE design.
In 2006, I showcased my designs in a Ready-to-Wear line up of designers at Portland Fashion Week. I was drawn to the idea of designing for the masses. It was at this very moment I understood that I would be joining the very fashion machine I had gone to school to escape. Ready-to-wear clothing cannot, and should not meet the needs of every woman. Every person is an individual from her shape to her style. It was at this point that I decided the only way to REALLY help women look their best was to give them great patterns and the tools they need to look their best when it's made just for them. This was the beginning of Sew Chic.
I started with the easiest styles developed from my custom design line up at Gowns by Laura and is growing from there. These patterns are designed from my heart. They all have a name because they are a part of me, shared with you. I want them to be classic, but not boring, fun, but not silly. They are stylish, womanly, modest and flattering. They each have their own personality, and matched with your ideas and fabric of your choosing, become your creation.
Please take the best of what I have to give, and make them your own.
