Dear readers, after three years of mentions, planning, and work, I am VERY excited to announce the launch of my pattern line:
Scroop is the name for the sound that silk and rayon taffeta make. It is added through an additional chemical process that hardens the cellulose and protein filaments, and serves no other purpose than to give the fabric its distinctive rustle.
I find the concept of scroop fascinating: when we think of the desirable of fabric we think of colours and patterns, surface sheen, hand and sculptural qualities, fibre content. Sound rarely comes into the equation, and yet the sound that stiff silks make is so desirable that at some point fabric manufacturers began experimenting with ways to increase it, and now the acid bath that creates scoop is an integral part of the process.
As I developed my pattern line, I kept coming back to the idea behind scroop: of taking something that it already wonderful (whether it is taffeta or sewing patterns), and adding just that little bit more to make it extra special.
With that in mind, I’ve designed my patterns to be just a little bit more: to deliver all the things I’ve ever wished a sewing pattern had, and that my students have asked for.
My patterns are all based on designs that I love and want to make over and over again, and that students and readers have all said they love and want. They draw on my knowledge of fashion and textile history, my understanding of the technical characteristics of fabrics, and my work as a sewing teacher.
Every Scroop pattern comes with:
- Complete, easy to read notations on every pattern piece (because I can’t count the times when I have been cutting out a pattern and have lost track of the single size guide, or have spent 20 minutes trying to find the one tiny place in the pattern where the seam allowance is noted)
- Full instructions (because sometimes you want ALL the information), including:
- suggested pattern layouts
- full sizing guides – with finished garment measurements
- full fabric guides
- alteration tips to help you achieve the perfect fit
- notes on why certain techniques and construction methods are recommended
- tips on the easiest way to complete the trickier steps
- Streamlined instructions (because sometimes you know how to do all the basic steps, and don’t want to print 10+ pages of instructions) which give the essential instructions in the minimum amount of space.
- PDF files for both:
- A print-at-home pattern in A4 or Letter format
- A copyshop pattern that prints on large size A0 paper, so you don’t have to tape the pattern together.
The inaugural Scroop pattern is the Henrietta Maria dress and top. It’s one of my favourite patterns to make and wear, and hopefully it will be one of your favourites too!
I’ll be adding more patterns over the coming months – I’ve got lots of exciting designs in the works!
CONGRATULATIONS! Wonderful news.
Thank you! I am SO excited about this!
I remember your Miramar Gothic knit dress, and I desperately want that pattern! I hope you have great success, and not only because of enlightened self interest. 🙂
Thank you! And you’re in luck because that pattern is definitely on the list of ones to make available. 😀
I’m so delighted to see this! Well done! Henrietta Maria is an excellent one to start with. So distinctive, yet wearable by almost everybody. I’d wear it!
I wish you every success for your new enterprise!
Thank you! <3 That was exactly why I picked Henrietta Maria as the launch pattern - and also because every student who has made it loves it so much!
Congrats on launching something new! Kudos for the evident hard work and deep thought that went into all the details! And thanks, as always, for inspiring me. 🙂
,Awwww, thank you! Thank you for inspiring me in return!
Congratulations on releasing your pattern line!
I hope to do that myself someday, and I just might have to use the same kind of size chart. I think it would simplify things as there is no standard American size chart. Also, I was wondering how you go about getting your patterns formatted into a pdf file. I understand this is probably beyond the scope of a quick answer, but if you have a resource you could send me to that would be great!
Sarah
sewcharacteristicallyyou.weebly.com
Thanks Sarah! I use Adobe Illustrator to create my patterns, have them professionally graded with CAD software, and turn them into PDFs mainly through Illustrator (there are lots of programmes that will turn things into PDFs, so occasionally I end up using something else). It took so long to launch the line because I was starting with scratch with Illustrator. I learned to draft and grade patterns by hand, and while I’m really good at grading and sizing, and creating patterns that fit a wide range of bodies, computers are not my natural habitat.
How exciting! I love the name (it’s fun just saying it), and I am definitely on board with the very detailed instructions!
Thank you! Isn’t the name fun? Learning it was definitely a happy sewing geek moment for me, and I like that saying is just makes you smile!
I look forward to being able to order some of your patterns!
Yay! Thank you! I think there are some upcoming ones you’ll definitely like!
I’m very excited for you (and me). Looks like something we wear in Hawaii. Love your trade name. Could have been named after the sound of corduroy!
Thank you! This should be great in Hawaii – I wore a couple of versions of it on my last trip home, and will be taking a few more home with me for my next visit!
Congratulations and all the best!!!
Thank you! <3
Congratulations! It’s wonderful that something planned so long has come to fruition. The pattern page and photos are lovely.
Fascinating that taffeta is really the only fabric so strongly associated with sound. The other odd sense-related fabric (fiber, really) that comes to mind is raw silk noil. It’s such a distinctive smell, I actually knew there was silk somewhere in the store before I saw it. 🙂 Other raw silk probably smells similar, but I’ve really only come across noil and a raw silk knit, once.
Thank you! I’m glad you approve of the pattern page and photos.
It is fascinating about taffeta isn’t it? But its sound is really so much a part of it. I love the smell of raw silk. And unbleached calico (muslin) when you iron it. Both of those remind me of happy times sewing!
Yes, taffeta just wouldn’t be right without that rustle. I love the smell of raw silk, too. I haven’t come across any for quite a long time. Oh, you reminded me of ironing vintage embroidered linen – I had a dresser scarf set, and it was so satisfying to iron (upside down on a terry towel), it made the embroidery stand out properly and look lovely, and it smelled good! The little things are what make life worthwhile. 🙂
I’m very much looking forward to seeing what other patterns you have in store. Your projects are always so fun to see and tend to be rather off the beaten path.
Long time lurker and drooler here, I’m so excited you are making patterns! Definitely loved this dress when you posted it. I had plans to pattern it myself but as a professional pattern maker I don’t always feel like doing my job on the weekend. I’m so excited I just had to purchase it right now.
Yay! Thank you and congratulations on being one of my first purchasers, and I’d love to see when you make it up!
How exciting. I am looking forward to seeing all your patterns. I have coveted many of your lovely outfits over the years. I hope you will consider doing patterns for undies too!!!
Grace e
Thank you! Undies are definitely on the list – so glad people are excited about them!
That’s really cool news – congratulations 🙂
Thank you! There may be some historical stuff later, but for now I’m focusing on modern and vintage. If I do period stuff I want to make sure it is RESEARCHED!
Congratulations, it looks really exciting! Looking forward to seeing what will be added in the future. (Also, yay for printable patterns, making patterns from small companies available world-wide)
Thank you!
Yeah, printable patterns are amazing, both as a patternmaker, and as a sewer. It’s so hard to get patterns here in NZ, so printable patterns opened up a huge world of possibilities for me! It’s exciting to be ‘giving back’ now.
Very nice news! I would love to try some of Your patterns!
Thank you! I hope you do!
Congratulations, and good luck in this venture!
Thank you Hana!
Congratulations on your pattern line! I wish you every possible success x
Thank you Gillian, much appreciated!
Woo hoo!!! So excited! Beautiful patterns by a talented, passionate and qualified seamstress!! About time 🙂 Congratulations and thankyou. Can’t wait to create! Xxx
Thank you! <3
There are a lot of other good pattern companies out there, but I think I'm bringing a little something different to the table. And I'm one of the few that is actually a sewing teacher - which I think it is a very important perspective. I get to see where a lot of sewists struggle, where the gaps are in patterns, and test patterns on a huge range of bodies.
Super exciting! Can’t wait to see all your patterns. I still have my under bust corset I made on Good Friday many moons ago. Love your teaching style and explanations. Pips xx
Thank you! Oh wow, that was the first pattern I ever made for teaching! So pleased that people remember and enjoyed that class! My patterns have come a long way since then – they really look quite swish now!
OMG, I saw your Facebook status & had to come straight over! How fantastic!! I’m pretty sure I asked you (years ago) if you sold any of your patterns publicly and I’m sure you replied that you were thinking about it! This is the moment I’ve been waiting for!! So excited!!
Yay! Thank you! I’m so glad people are so excited about this!
Yay for me and a huge congratulations to you! I’m so excited to get my hands on your patterns!
Yay! Thank you!
Ho’omaika’i! Wonderful news!
Mahalo Nui!
SWEET! I will be buying this soon. I’m sooooo excited to see what else you come up with, because I LOVE what you sew, and I’m sure you’ll have so much information in that pattern.
Yay! Thank you! Yep, there is lots of information, especially since this pattern has some unique construction points. 😀
Woooooooooooo! Congrats, my dear! Can’t wait to spread the word amongst my sewing friends.
Thank you! And THANK YOU!
Wow, congratulations! That’s so cool! Wishing you all the success in the world.
Even though I’m mortally afraid of non-fitted clothes*, I may just give Henrietta Maria a try, because the neckline and sleeve hems are just so pretty!
Thank you! I hope you do give it a try! I struggled with non-fitted clothes, but I have learned to embrace the ease. (also, in the middle of summer the Henrietta Maria in a light cotton or linen is just about the best thing ever!)
Wow! This is very exciting! I am so happy for you, you have worked hard and it must be a dream come true 🙂
Thank you! Yeah, it’s been a lot of work – very good to finally have it out!
Wow! How exciting! Congratulations!
Thank you!
Congratulations! I look forward to seeing all the offerings! Best of luck with the new business!
Thank you! Much appreciated!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to get home and pick this pattern up! I already have some suitable fabrics in stash. 🙂 I hope you do historic patterns in the future, particularly your dresses from 1905-1930ish. There are less patterns out there for these decades and I loved your Katherine Mansfield’s dresses.
Yay! Thank you! Please share yours if you make it!
Oooh…glad people are excited about 1905-30s patterns. That’s one of my favourite historical eras, so you’re likely to see patterns from it.
Congratulations! I hope to order patterns from this line in the future.
Thank you! Hope so too 😉
So, so excited!! Congratulations on your new endeavor!
I love this look so much! And thank you so much for including larger sizes– I can actually make this instead of just dreaming about it!
Thank you! I’m so pleased that the wide size range is appreciated. It’s a bit more work, and I won’t be able to do it with every pattern, but when I can I will!
Congratulations,All the best !
So excited!! And I’m thrilled about the size range, bless you for that.
Yay! You’re most welcome for the size range! I’m so glad it’s appreciated!
Congratulations! I’m really looking forward to seeing your designs. Love the name – I remember when Mr Tulip first came across the word he just thought that it was the best thing ever!
This is wonderful! Congratulations! I’ve just bought the Henrietta Maria and look forward to making it up. You’ve put so much work into this and done such a great job, and I hope Scroop Patterns takes off in a big way. I think it will; what you’re offering is high quality and very good value for money.
I like your sizing system. No arbitrary numbers, just measurements. I know where I am with measurements.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations! How exciting! I love the Henrietta Maria, and I’m looking forward to your future releases.
I missed this announcement! HOW EXCITING! Congratulations. I can’t wait to see what other patterns you have in store!
Thank you! And enjoy!
Oh, well done! Jumping and clapping over here!