I started sewing because my life was a mess. I was in debt up to my eyeballs from shopping, I was bored and unfulfilled at work, and I was desperate for a creative outlet. I knew I had to make a change, so I created a challenge for myself: for one year, the only new things that would enter my closet would be things that I made with my own two hands. Little did I realize that cutting out a vintage pattern on my best friend’s floor back in 2011 would totally change the trajectory of my life. Not only would that same friend go on to become my business partner (more on that in a minute), but I found that everything I was learning about sewing became deeper lessons about much bigger things. I learned to love my body when I wasn’t trying to cram it into off-the-rack clothes that didn’t fit. I realized how capable and skilled I was when I persevered and put my mind to something challenging. I discovered an enormous well of creativity and inspiration every time I needed it. I made incredible, lifelong friends who shared my love for this craft. And perhaps most importantly, I developed my ability to be resilient; with each minor sewing setback came the knowledge that I was only growing, as a person and a craftsperson, every time I sat down to sew.

I started Closet Core Patterns because I wanted to share the passion and knowledge that was slowly changing my life for the better. In 2013, I left my job as a commercial interior designer and started small with a few PDF patterns. Things grew quickly, and over the years we’ve released everything from t-shirts to blazers and jeans. We’ve grown from a one-woman show in my Montreal apartment to a thriving small team of people who are as ardent about sewing, creating, and learning as I am. Always at the core of everything we do is a dedication to the art of sewing, and a passion for finding ways to make this timeless craft relevant and exciting to all generations of sewists. Together we spend our days dreaming up beautiful new patterns, supportive online courses, and inspiring and helpful blog content to help you on your way. And that friend who let me use her floor as a giant cutting table? She’s now my partner in Core Fabrics, a beautifully curated, sustainable fabric store committed to combining our love for sewing with our commitment to an environmentally responsible future.

Regardless of where you are on your own sewing journey, I am so happy you’re here. I hope you too are making beautiful things, and learning something new about yourself every time you sit down to sew.