Interview: Eliza M's Vintage Sewing

You know I'm a sucker for indie pattern designers, so when I found out about this beautiful new line of vintage inspired patterns via Jane, I had to know more!

Here's a little more about Eliza and her patterns.

- Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? When did you start sewing?

I have three children ranging in ages from 17 to 4 years, two boys and a little girl.

I started sewing fairly recently, abut two years ago as I was fed up with mass produced clothes and dresses that didn't fit me.

- How did you start Eliza M's Vintage Style Sewing? How did you choose the name?

I did start with genuine vintage patterns, but as a beginner found them too difficult to make. I found a pattern cutter to make vintage style patterns that were easy for me to make and from there on I was hooked. I thought there must be other women who would benefit from using the patterns I had created for my own personal use, and Eliza M Vintage Sewing was born.

- Do you have formal training (art, design, sewing, etc.)?

I have a degree in Education, I worked in schools for quite a few years and still have a passion for life long learning, but previous to taking my degree as a mature student I was a Field Sales rep for many years. 

I am completely self taught, I believe that a little time and effort go a long way, I am though addicted to learning new things and being creative, I love to sing, paint (badly) and dance, I believe a creative life is absolutely essential for confidence and well being.

- What are your main sources of inspiration? Your favorite designers or style icons?

My main sources of inspiration come from old movies, particularly from the forties and fifties. I love the timeless style of Greta Garbo, Grace Kelly and so many more of those old movie style icons.

Dita von  Teese is also a form of fashion inspiration, the next collection of patterns will include more 'bombshell' styles. I have concentrated mainly on the practical for the first collection, but I think a little self indulgence doens't go amiss once in a while!

- Why did you decide to stay away from multi-sized patterns?

Original vintage patterns were always single sized and I wanted to be as authentic as possible, however we will hopefully be launching sizes 10-16 as multisized patterns in the New Year.

16 plus sizes will remain single sized.

- Do you still sew for yourself?

Yes, I still sew for myself. I made the majority of the samples used for the photographs and I continue to sew around three dresses a week, often more for private clients from my patterns and samples for the new children's range due out in Spring. I love to sew so much I could never stop now.

Elisa was also generous enough to offer my readers a combo of one of her patterns + a packet of Eliza M Liberty fabric covered buttons.

In order to win, go browse her site and just leave a comment below telling me which combo you'd choose in case you won.

The giveaway closes on January 17th, 11:00am GMT.

(And if you haven't already, there's still time to enter my birthday giveaway!)