Designer Linda Lee and her "Sewing Workshop"

Meet Linda Lee of the Sewing Workshop 

 Topeka, Kansas 

I have always admired sewing guru  Linda Lee and her many talents.  She is well known in sewing circles for her wonderful patterns, and the place women gather to be creative and share their love of haute couture at "The sewing workshop" It was there many came for inspiration and classes.  The San Francisco store was home to many now famous sewers.  Most all who took classes there enjoyed the quality teaching and materials there.  The store was loved by many in the bay area before it was sold and she moved to Topeka.  Not only is she an author of nearly a dozen quality sewing books, she is also a teacher who travels the country teaching fine sewing techniques, and creative inspiration.  Linda is available for special classes, lectures and sharing her love of sewing for the home and creative clothing. 

Linda's books include:

• Sewing Beautiful Pillows
• Scarves to Make
• Sewing Stylish Home Projects
• Sewing Edges and Corners
• Mastering Miters
• Sew Sensational Pillows
• Designer Home Sewing
• Sew Easy
• Sew Easy Bags
• Sew Easy Scarves

Here Linda is showing us how a pattern is made.  Kathy is putting her last few updates on this pattern that is about to be released.   It is a wonder anyone goes into the pattern making business when you hear how long the process takes and what is involved.

Off the beaten path in the town of Topeka Kansas The Sewing Workshop is tucked inside this antique brick two story building occupying the entire 1st floor (and basement for storage)  Her store is full of beautiful fabrics and notions and garments that provide inspiration and opportunity for creating some distinctive garments. In the front of the store there are sewing machines along one long wall, set up and ready for sewing classes.  were    

 In the front of the Sewing Workshop there is an area set aside for teaching

This is Erin, she is behind the scenes at The Sewing Workshop.  I loved her fresh ideas and sunny take on everything.  She submits articles to magazines and teaches some of the classes.

Here Linda Lee shares a new pattern that they are in the throws of finishing.  We really liked the skirt pattern and it has arrived to market faster than my posting this blog.  http://sewingworkshop.com/shop/new-products?page=shop.browse&category_id=52

This is the Eureka top and skirt.  I am looking at fabric to make this in.  My Mom gets all of Linda's patterns shipped automatically so we got this pattern right away.

I really enjoyed how Linda and company enthusiastically bubbled on about the new patterns they had coming out.  They showed us some inspirational pieces they used when gathering ideas for a new pattern. Linda took us on a tour of her facility where we saw her video's, fabrics, notions, accessories, and racks of made to perfection samples, many which were going out in the mail to stores carrying her patterns as samples.

I really enjoy reading Linda's blog http://sewingworkshop.com/blogs there I find her patterns made up by class attendees and samples by Linda, Erin and Kathy. 

Some of Linda's older patterns were discontinued, and now are offered by a down loadable e pattern.  Kathy talked to us about E patterns and how they work.  They are doing well for those sewers who desire  patterns quickly. 

To download Linda Lee's patterns:

Downloading Sewing Patterns can be fast, easy and convenient. Linda's article offers great tips and tricks to make the downloading process a little easier!
DOWNLOAD -- PRINT -- SEW!
Every pattern company is different. Curious how our ePatterns work? Download our instructions: ePATTERNS-downloadinstructions.pdf.

There are advantages and disadvantages to consider before downloading a sewing pattern. The cost of a pattern download is less than buying a printed pattern. But the best part is the instant gratification: Buy it now and wear it tomorrow. I had to look into this a bit.  This article from Sew News was helpful

http://www.sewnews.com/articles/online_sewing_patterns

-Kathy was working out the latest pattern.  We got a sneak look at the samples – can’t wait until the pattern comes out this month – just my style

Back of store has beautiful fabrics that she collects for inspiration and to make samples of her patterns. These fabrics are for sale on her website too
http://sewingworkshop.com/shop
(Lucky for us!)

Linda recommended stitch magazine.  She showed us the jacket that is featured in the latest Winter 2012 magazine on p.49 sewdaily.com the features rectangle coat  byLinda Lee  Also Fall 2012 featured sewing with knits byLinda Lee
Secrets for mastering this versatile fabric
PLUS: Bonus T-shirt Project!

The three of us went to lunch at noon driving to her favorite Mexican food place.  We have known each other for nearly 20 years so we spent lunch reminiscing about our past projects and people and the good old days of "The Sewing Workshop" when she was in San Francisco.  It was nice to catch up from our last visit when Linda was a speaker at a trunk show in Sacramento.  We hope to see her again in February when we attend the The Sewing and Stitchery Expo is the largest consumer sewing show in America. The 2013 dates are: February 28, March 1-3, 2013, at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center in Puyallup, Washington.  http://www.sewexpo.com/about-expo.htm