Thursday, January 10, 2013

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!)

72 comments:

  1. I would choose the hop and swing pants

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  2. The Greta Tea dress, beacause I need a 30's dress. And that shape would flatter me plus I love the fluttery sleeves would cover my shoulders without restricting movement when dancing.

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  3. O me o my!!!!

    I would wish for the pussy galore blouse and some dark blue buttons. Small ones. <3



    howtofeedyourvegan at yahoo dot com

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  4. I just love that Audrey dress pattern, the neckline is divine. And I'd like some little red colour way buttons :-)

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  5. For me its the wanda. Very me i think. Button wise any! they are all lovely!

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  6. Oh, the Audrey dress! And any button for the combo, I would fin a way to use them.

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  7. Where do you find all these indie designers? The patterns are all absolutely gorgeous, but for me the most practical would be the gypsy jane top. I'm not sure whether the top even needs buttons but the dark blue ones are just so cute <3

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  8. ΕΙΡΗΝΗ ΠΑΥΛΙΔΟΥJanuary 10, 2013 at 12:27 PM

    I would go with the simple and elegant Connie dress- all buttons are fabulous, I particularly liked some red and white ones!

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  9. I was immediately attracted to the pussy galore blouse. Thanks for introducing us all to these patterns.

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  10. The wanda dress and any off the buttons they are all fab!

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  11. oh i lovwe the peggy dress and the big red liberty buttons. i really lovel eliza M's patterns!

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  12. Usually I'm all about the dresses, but the Gpysy Jane. Blouse is my favorite. And, the small blue buttons.

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  13. Oh my gosh! Another giveaway. I had no idea Eliza had only been sewing a few years that is amazing and gives me such hope for my own sewing!

    I'd love to try the eponymous Eliza pattern and those buttons are all gorgeous.

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  14. The Eliza dress is my choice - I love the neckline. And I'd go for the dark blue buttons.

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  15. Fab site and interview! I'd choose the Hop and Swing pants, and make them in denim. I'd then choose the 4 pack of liberty buttons in blue, to create a sailor style effect at the front. Fingers crossed!

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  16. Not sure what a combo means.. But I'd definitely go for the Eliza Dress, so vintage and looks so comfortable! Thanks!

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  17. How lovely to read more about eliza m, having seen some patterns for sale on uk site sewbox. I have a temptation for the Grace dress or pussy galore blouse, and I'd probably go for the miniest buttons to give a sad cardigan a new look.

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  18. I love her patterns designs, ruby or grace would be perfect for me

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  19. I would get the Peggy Dress pattern and these buttons http://www.elizamvintagesewing.co.uk/habdash/liberty-fabric-covered-buttons-1-5cm-diameter-various-colours-pack-of-6.html.


    My email is carly927 at gmail

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  20. grace dress and red buttons please, thank you

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  21. Audrey dress, red buttons! Her designs are so lovely!

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  22. Audrey dress and red buttons please. I've heard of these patterns but didn't realise there were so many now, what a great choice

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  23. I've been coveting these patterns, and can't wait to see the styles of her girl's patterns. I love the Audrey dress pattern and the navy Liberty buttons.
    Thanks for highlighting these independent pattern producers :-)

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  24. I love the Betty dress, and the red buttons

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  25. Wow, thank you Anna for sharing this pattern line!
    Her pattern line is awesome, so many choices, so beautiful, and she's been sewing for only 2 years ?!?? I can't believe, I might be dreaming! :)
    My heart definitely goes for the Betty dress and as for the buttons, hard to pick only one, the navy one in 1.5 cm diameter. Good luck to everyone!

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  26. I am completely in love with the pussy galore blouse!!

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  27. oh these are som seriously cute dresses!! (i'm a bit biased for dresses...) i'd love the audrey dress and some 1,5cm red buttons please! thanks for making me discover this indie pattern designer

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  28. I love the Wanda dress and the 2cm turquoise bottons, or any of the dark blue one. It was so hard to choose!

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  29. What a lovely giveaway! Hopefully it works now to comment...
    I would love to have the Betty dress pattern and some covered buttons in red, thank you!

    Ps my mailadress is sara_hoste@hotmail.com

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  30. i would choose grace dress pattern, and a set of smallest covered buttons

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  31. Wow, seriously adorable! Thanks for the giveaway. I remember Handmade Jane mentioning Eliza M. on her blog. Hard to choose just one pattern, but I'll say the Betty dress and the small covered buttons in blue because I've been eying that exact fabric at the store! (I also love the Audrey and Eliza dresses!)

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  32. Really interesting interview and lovely collection. I'd love to win the Audrey dress and the small dark blue buttons (1.5cm). Great giveaway Anna, thanks!

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  33. Great interview - I'd spotted Eliza M patterns a few weeks ago and thought they were amazing - I'd pick the Peggy dress and the red buttons although I love the Grace dress and the Betty dress too.

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  34. Thank you for introducing me to a new pattern line! I love the Greta Tea Dress!

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  35. Ashley O'ShaughnessyJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    I am in love with the Betty dress! Thank you so much for posting about her, I have never seen her patterns before, and I love them all. The buttons are teriffic as well, I'd be happy with any of them. Even I I don't win, I'm snatching this pattern up!

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  36. What a great interview! I love finding new places on the web to visit and this is most certainly an awesome place to shop around. I'm in love with her Grace Dress Pattern and navy buttons in 2cm would be fantastic.

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  37. So very lovely! I'm loving the Grace dress and also the Liberty red buttons in 2.5. Thank you for the giveaway, ladies!

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  38. Ooh, I'm so torn, but probably Peggy dress and those 6 small buttons!

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  39. I love learning more about indie designers - thanks for the inerview and the great giveaway! I'd choose the pussy galore blouse and a set of the smallest buttons - too cute!

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  40. Thanx for this wonderful giveaway, just love Eliza's patterns. I would go for the Greta dress and button I'm not fussy think I would go for the size 18 :)

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  41. Wow Elisa's patterns are SO CUTE!! I don't even think I could pick a favorite ...I'm really loving the Betty dress pattern!

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  42. Fun interview. I like the Betty Dress, and the four pack of red & yellow floral buttons.

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  43. Oh what a lovely range of patterns - and British too, yay! It took a while to pick only one but I do like the Grace dress and the pack of four red and yellow floral buttons x

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  44. Those are some lovely paterns that she sells.. I especially ike the Peggy dress, the collar is such a nice feature.

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  45. All the patterns are very cute. I love vintage inspired patterns. In this collection, I fancy the Peggy and Grace, dress and the Pussy Galore Blouse. Boy, I could use more blouses. I would chose that one. For the button, I could always use small buttons. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  46. The patterns are beautiful! I would choose the Wanda dress and pink floral buttons. Thank you so much for the giveaway!

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  47. France Parijs (alias)January 11, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    Lovely patterns ! The Ruby dress from the late 50's is my favourite!

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  48. Thank you for sharing. These look like fun patterns. I really like the Audrey and Connie Dress patterns and the 2 cm buttons in the bright blue. I'll be watching for the new children's patterns too! Enjoyed the interview.


    mo_murphy at comcast dot net

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  49. Yay, 17th will be my Birthday! Thank you for the giveaway! If I'd win, I'd choose the 6x1,5 cm little covered buttons and either the Wanda dress or the Gipsy Jayne blouse pattern.

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  50. soisewedthis.blogspot.comJanuary 11, 2013 at 10:17 PM

    oh wow, what an amazing giveaway! i can't believe she's only been sewing for 2 years and already has this shop!! so cute! i'd love the audrey dress pattern with the full knee length skirt and the cute V in the back. The 1.5cm buttons in green and white are really so fun! perfect for spring!

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  51. It's really difficult to choose ! They are all so much fun,but I guess I'd like to try the Wanda Dress first. I love all of the buttons and would be happy with any of them.

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  52. The Audrey dress is absolutely gorgeous! I really enjoy your posts as a new follower and you've inspired me to try out Deer and Doe patterns. Cheers.

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  53. therecklessneedle.blogspot.ieJanuary 12, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Thanks for running the giveaway, and great to see that website! I would love to be in the running for the Ruby dress and the 1.5cm pack of 6 buttons! :)

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  54. What an amazing set of patterns! I would absolutely ADORE the Grace pattern, but can easily see the Peggy, and Pussy Galore Blouse on my wishlist in the future!
    And the 1.5 6 pack of buttons in the red floral i feel I need...

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  55. Grace dress of course! it's too gorgeous :D
    Can't choose the design as they're all fabulous but I would pick the x4 buttons 2cm.



    BTW well done to Eliza, only 2 years sewing and already launched her own business! I should take a leaf out of your book ;)

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  56. I'm in for the Eliza Dress and those sweet 2 cm's diameter packs of 4 buttons in light blue. fingers crossed.

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  57. I love the Peggy Dress - such a unique collar! And the navy blue buttons w/ flower print - too cute!

    Also, I'm having a pattern giveaway on my blog for my blog-versary :)

    http://thequirkypeach.blogspot.com/2013/01/happy-belated-blog-versary-to-me.html

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  58. I love the Eliza M patterns - I like the Gypsey Jayne top and the Daisy dress patterns most of all.

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  59. Loving the pussy galore blouse and the 2.5cm covered buttons .. I might have to buy the Peggy pattern for goodwood revival this year! SUCH FUN!

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  60. Lovely range of patterns, just gorgeous :-) I really love the Connie dress. All the buttons are beautiful too, they'd make very pretty earrings :-)

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  61. Ohhh.....so many pretties : ) I think I'm partial to the Betty dress and a couple of the 3 cm buttons

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  62. I love all of them! I think the Eliza dress would have to be my favourite, and the the little tiny dark blue buttons :)

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  63. I love these gorgeous vintage patterns! I would love the Gypsy Jayne blouse pattern and the pack of 6 covered buttons in the navy color. I would put that very near the top of the 'to-do' list! Thank you for inspiring me with all these beautiful choices of patterns!

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  64. I love both the Audrey and Betty dress patterns. Audrey is very simple and sophisticated with a great neckline. Betty is fun and summery and feminine. It's a tough call to pick just one! ..... and the 'winner' is [drum roll]... the Audrey! Yay! and the 2cm Liberty fabric covered buttons would be great. In the blue (main picture). Thanks for the giveaway.

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  65. Tough choice, they're all gorgeous. I'd have to go for Audrey and the small pack of six buttons in red for starters, but planning on trying a few of these as soon as I can justify buying more patterns. Thank you for the introduction.

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  66. Maider - Masustak EguzkitanJanuary 14, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    Nice interview! I love the Grace Dress pattern and I would have the 2.5cm's diameter four button pack. Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  67. I love the neckline on the Peggy dress, and I like big buttons, so I'd go for a 3cm pack :)

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  68. Hello...I'd love to try the Eliza dress, though the capri pants and wiggle wriggle skirt look pretty good too! And I like the look of the 2.5cm pack of 4 buttons...
    Thank you

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  69. I would also love the Eliza dress! :)


    Cat
    catgotdressed.blogspot.com
    cat.munzing@gmail.com

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  70. I quite like the Gypsy Jayne blouse, and the 2 cm buttons.
    (I always go for dress patterns, but am realizing that's not super realistic - I need tops!)

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  71. I like the Audrey dress but to tell the truth i can't be so sure because everything is so beautiful!

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