Meet the Patternmaker Behind the Peppermint Rozelle Slip
Step into a scene of simple sophistication with our latest pattern, the Peppermint Rozelle Slip. This exclusive, highly wearable pattern was created for us in collaboration with the sensational Annie Robinson, the awesome Australian patternmaker behind Stitched for Good.
In 2021, Annie started Stitched for Good from her farm in rural New South Wales to raise consciousness around sustainable, slow fashion. “I wanted to help others create their own clothes and also experience that amazing feeling of being complimented on something you have spent hours creating and is uniquely yours,” she says.
In the spirit of going behind the seams, we caught up with Annie to learn more about her label and to rack her brain for tips and tricks when creating the slip.
DOWNLOAD THE PEPPERMINT ROZELLE SLIP PATTERN NOW!
Tell us about your journey into the sewing world…
I have been sewing and creating since I was a young girl. I started out making dolls’ clothes and continued sewing various things right through my childhood. After high school, I completed an Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design which kicked off my career in the industry.
How did Stitched for Good come about?
In 2017, I left my job and moved out of the city and back to the country. In between part-time jobs, I started a custom dressmaking business, followed by a fashion label, which I continued for the next four years. Although I did love what I was doing, I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to pursue. During a 14-day self-isolation period in the thick of the pandemic, I spent time working out exactly what I loved most about making a garment, and what I could give back with the knowledge I had. I love patternmaking and being able to wear something that is uniquely mine and say, “Thanks I made it.”
That’s how Stitched for Good was created. I want to encourage more people to start sewing their own wardrobes as I know how much joy it brings. Hopefully, I can teach people things I have learned through my studies and industry work, and get some beautiful modern sewing patterns into the community, so more people can say, “Thanks I made it!”
Why is sustainable fashion so important to you?
Once you learn about fast fashion’s contribution to landfill and the poor working conditions of workers, it is hard to ignore. There are many great sustainable fashion businesses that are creating a real impact. I would love Stitched for Good to get more people creating their own perfectly fitting wardrobe in their own unique style, which will make sure their pieces are loved for a long time rather than ending up in landfill.
What inspires your patterns?
I have a huge collection of saved images from social media, Pinterest, magazines and sketches from designs I may have seen in the street or on TV. I generally know what sort of design I want to create; I then go through my collection and take inspiration from design ideas to create my patterns. I like to make sure the garments are not too complicated to construct and the pattern can be adapted for different body shapes, fabrics and personal styles.
Any tips and tricks for sewists when creating the Rozelle Slip?
Make a toile (a fit sample in cheaper fabric or calico) before you cut into your main fabric. This way you can make some simple adjustments to the pattern to ensure you’re getting the best fit. I’ve included some fit alterations in the instructions!
Being a bias-cut dress, a softer fabric with great drape will give you a better shape than a structured fabric. Tencel, lyocell, viscose and lightweight linen would all be great choices. The slip dress in a silk satin would look beautiful for a wedding guest look.
Where do you plan on wearing the Rozelle Slip?
I will be making two dresses, one in a lightweight linen for everyday wear, which will be super comfortable to wear on long days in the studio, and then another in a Tencel fabric for a dressier occasion such as dinner out with friends to celebrate the release of the slip dress pattern!
