Sew Confident with The Sewing Workshop

In the early ‘90s, Linda Lee, then an interior designer, opened a fabric shop in Topeka, Kansas. Little did she know that her side-interest in garment sewing would soon transform her into an industry leader as, in swift succession, she found herself as the owner of The Sewing Workshop, a famed school in San Francisco, and the head designer of a pattern company of the same name.

The Sewing Workshop patterns are known for their architectural, innovative styles, which include interesting sewing techniques. Lee’s first design, the Origami Pants, featured unique design details like asymmetrical legs and bias shaping. This kind of designer look set the stage for avant-garde pattern designs to come.

As her career has evolved, Lee has become more interested in teaching students how to "sew better than they can buy”; thus, she considers each pattern released by The Sewing Workshop as a teaching tool. During the design process, she makes note of techniques, variations, and fabrication opportunities afforded by the pattern. These are featured in Sew Confident!, a yearly online sewing education program.

Members of Sew Confident! have access to tutorials and online classes that dive into the details of dressmaking. From sewing mitered corners to executing the perfect collar and stand, Sew Confident! includes Lee's signature sewing techniques. The classes also tackle the skills needed to sew particular fashion fabrics. Students have worked with cotton jerseys, rayon, fine shirting, linen, denim, and silk in this year’s program.

Linda Lee is committed to helping sewing enthusiasts develop their skills and love of the craft. In 2020, she began hosting a free video every week, where she features different sewing techniques, pattern inspiration, and new fabrics.

Learn more about Sew Confident!, shop the patterns and fabric line, and watch the videos all at www.SewingWorkshop.com.