An Introduction

I know there’s a whole “About Me” page but I thought I’d share a few more details about me and what I hope to accomplish in my first blog. Hi, I’m LuLu, a professionally trained Patternmaker for tv/film and private clients. When most people outside of the industry learn what I do, they’re fascinated:

“So you design clothes?!”

“I’m confused, why don’t they just buy clothes that fit from the store?”

“You can make my next Halloween costume!”

Well, they mean well. No, I’m not a costume designer, and although I do frequently design clothes for myself, this is not something I do for other people. Clothes from the store fit no one perfectly- they’re not actually made to. Pattern templates are based on dress forms that don’t reflect the modern body. Every look you see on TV has been fit and perhaps altered by a costumer behind the scenes. Ever wondered how someone as uniquely shaped as Kim Kardashian always wears clothes that fit her perfectly? What store is she shopping at?? Truth is there are a team of tailors and pattern makers behind every red carpet look (and for Kim- every everyday look). And finally, no, I won’t make your Halloween costume. I won’t even make mine ;)

‘90 Halloween. I think I’m a clown??

I learned to sew when I was seven. First, from my grandmother. She taught me to hand sew, to quilt, and to make dolls and doll clothes. She also inspired me to cherish the beautiful bits and bobs I’d find. Next from my mother, who somehow managed to make what I remember as the most gorgeous costumes for our childhood Halloweens and special school events while working full time and single-handedly raising three kids. And from a truly inspirational high school theater teacher, Ms Worsham. She required every theatre student to sew their own garment bag— my first introduction to machine sewing. I not only finished mine in record time, but helped a few students complete theirs as well. My grandmother saw my passion and talent and bought me my first sewing machine that same year! I put my newfound skills to the test and made my own costumes for each play my freshman year. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the compliments- fellow actresses were in love with my custom-made, unique costumes! My friends, this is my origin story.

Photos from high school theatre

I had found my passion. Too bad I didn’t know it was a viable career move yet. I went on to undergrad to study Biology at Texas A&M University, but it took me all of two months at the university before I went hunting for the theatre dept. By the end of the Fall semester, I had added a Theatre minor, been in two plays, and started a side job in the dept’s Costume Shop. It took me another 3 years and one incredible professor (shoutout to Dr. Pullen!) before I understood that Biology wasn’t going to be my future. (As a fun personal fact, the goal was to become a forensic pathologist- I interned at a local police station and everything!) This momentous change in life goals came a bit too late in my collegiate career to switch course, so yes, my bachelor’s is in Biology! I spent the next few years bouncing around at theatre costume shops in the Midwest, before finally attending grad school for Costume Design and Technology at San Diego State University. I went out of my way while studying there to branch out beyond my sewing skills. I took courses in scenic painting, jewelry making and took every outside costume opportunity available to me.

First year of grad school’s projects on display

After graduating with my MFA, I moved up to LA to finally begin my career. I started as a Craft Artisan at the LA Opera- a job that requires more specialty skills as well as sewing. Millinery (hat-making), leather working, aging/dyeing, and fabric modification were some of my daily skills.  Eventually I transitioned into the tv/film industry, joining IATSE, the film and television crew union. I mostly work as a Patternmaker, the person who creates the pattern for a costume. I work with the Costume Designer to fulfill their vision for a character. I am forever grateful that I get to work full time doing something that inspires and challenges me. I get to problem solve (how DOES one make a spacesuit?) and make beautiful garments (insert numerous photos here) AND my creations have a built in international platform?? I am one lucky woman. But you’re here for the blog. And the blog is for all the things the world never sees.

Like I’ve said- I REALLY love sewing. So much that after a 12-hr day of making costumes(that’s showbiz for ya), I will come home, sit down to my home sewing machine, and continue sewing. I think of this saying often: if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. I get the intention, but I’m not really quite sure that’s accurate. I think if you love what you do, you will work every day of your life. You just won’t regret the time spent.

Teaching a class at my local quilt store

My intention moving forward is to share the unseen works. I’ll take you through the process of creations I make on my own time, you can follow along during the classes I either teach or take, and maybe we even take a gander at the multitudes of unfinished “works in progress” sitting on my shelves (maybe you can motivate me to finish some- ha!). This blog is for anyone interested in taking their sewing skills to higher levels, people who want an inside peek at how tv costumes are made, or anyone who enjoys sewing as much as me :)