Professional pattern cutter, Kathryn, is on a mission to share her wizardry and elevate your sewing skills
By Kathryn Roberts
Sewing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My childhood was spent in fabric shops whilst watching my mother provide for our family with her sewing machine and it’s really no wonder that I ended up in this world. However, it wasn’t until I went to university that I discovered pattern cutting. I had dreams of being the next big thing in fashion design but I quickly realised that it wasn’t for me. However, the technical stuff; the millimetre perfect precision, the fitting challenges, the interesting and unusual construction, the pattern cutting…That was me! Fast forward 12 years and I have grown my skills and knowledge, and have the pleasure of working with some of the best brands in British fashion.
GLITZ AND GLAM
Throughout my career I have seen my work on catwalks, in magazines and on red carpets. I’ve had the pleasure of working with amazing brands including Peter Pilotto, Emilia Wickstead, Ted Baker, Topshop and many more. There has been countless ‘pinch me’ moments, but my top three have to be seeing my creations on Michelle Obama; in billboard campaigns; and worn by Royals. It’s such a rush knowing I played a small part in something so big!
I’m sure you’ve gathered (excuse the sewing pun) by now that I love pattern cutting and everything that comes with it. It’s an incredible skill, which gives a person the ability to create literally any piece of clothing that they can dream up. It’s empowering, it’s beautiful and it’s the magic wand that takes a garment from a sketch to a reality.
In the sewing world I discovered a unique space where people not only know what pattern cutting is but are also curious and passionate about it. For me, it has become a place where I can share my love and knowledge of pattern cutting and hopefully inspire others along the way.
MAKING MAGIC
Project Patterns (project-patterns.co.uk) came about very organically, I taught a few drafting classes for a friend and set up an Instagram account to share some of the process. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that it would grow as it has, and that I would be teaching countless women to draft and fit their dream wardrobes.
My favourite moment in teaching has to be the lightbulb moment, when it suddenly clicks in
