Handmade Clothing

I started sewing and designing clothes when I was a child. My mom taught me the basics and I made endless drawings of 30s and 40s fashions from watching old movies on T.V. Growing up in Colorado, I always had a slightly western aesthetic, influenced by trips to New Mexico every year, as well as the Native American textile exhibits at the Denver Art Museum. There was an elegance and simplicity to the clothing I saw there that has informed many of the designs I make now. Also, in Denver there were at least two manufacturers of Western wear, and I would scour thrift stores where I loved finding men’s western shirts and vintage cowgirl dresses. Examining how they were put together is how I learned to design my own pieces.

I never took any classes in clothing production, so some of my things are made in non-traditional ways, but I have had several jobs as a seamstress and have learned through job training and practice how to sew professionally. Each garment is made by hand using old-school tailoring techniques, meaning that all the seams are done with either French, flat-felled, or bound finish so that the inside is gentle next to the skin and made to last as an heirloom. (Knit fabrics do require the use of a serger, or over-locked seam). I use linen, wool, organic cotton, silk, bamboo, hemp, and any 100% natural fabrics. Many garments are made from vintage fabrics, too, creating one-of-a-kind treasures.

Most garments are made in a medium to large loose fit, a kind of one size fits all. However, every pattern can be altered to fit more precisely to your measurements and specifications.

Handmade clothing does cost more than clothing made using cheap labor in factories overseas. Each garment I make is created as a work of art, with the fabric, the style, the pattern, and fit all being considered simultaneously and orchestrated in a creative way to make a lasting and beloved artifact. I make styles to enhance comfort, and to honor and empower the body and presence of the wearer. An investment in handmade clothing is an investment in art for your body. I can assist you with wardrobe planning, also, to ensure that your purchases will allow you to blend together many outfits from each piece and create a “capsule” closet for you that takes the stress out of wardrobe decision making.

See my current offerings for sale at my online shop, where some pieces are ready to ship as is and some are samples of the patterns I can make for you. Each season I choose the colors I want to work with so each pattern is available in the weight appropriate to the style in those colors, or for a small extra charge you can order a different color. I always have to order a little extra so this is why I charge more for colors I don’t have a use for this season. Spring/summer 2023 colors coming soon.

New arrivals: handmade clothing for Spring/Summer 2022

The favorite piece in my collection this season is a very versatile linen coat that works for nearly all occasions. Just by coincidence, right after I had made the first samples of this design, my friend Tom Sibley posted some wonderful pictures from his family archives featuring very similar coats donned by his ancestors. I don’t know all the nuances of the Sibley family history, but one of them was an early developer of the telegraph, another a famous bird watcher, and Tom himself is a sculptor/mad scientist of sorts. Somehow, all these personas would look equally at home in what I now call “The Sibley Coat”. It is perhaps what city people would wear to the country, or country people to the city– part barn jacket, part lab coat, part Bogart-style trench– this one garment does it all. Choose from middle to heavy weight linens from the fabric choices here. I have several made and ready to ship in a variety of fabrics in the shop now or order one to your specifications. Pocket flaps can be added, or extra pockets, belt and belt loops, or a slit in back. Also available for men with buttons closing from the left rather than right, or double breasted. Email for help with these options.

I have several new dress designs this season, too. Choose a middle weight linen for any of these designs, and several of the samples are still available in the shop.

I have several new blouses for the season as well as the classic designs that are my basic issues. Coming soon are unisex and men’s shirts.

Please take a look at all the clothing offerings in the shop here. Many items are ready to ship, some samples are sold out but you can order the same designs in your choice of fabric and exact specifications. Email with any questions or for assistance.