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In this episode, Lisa Wagner shares her remarkable journey from learning to sew alongside her mother and grandmother in Australia to becoming a couture dressmaker, pattern drafting educator, and founder of Draft.ed.
We explore the value of skills passed down through generations, why fit is about so much more than measurements, and how learning to draft your own patterns can transform your confidence as a sewist.
Lisa also shares insights from decades spent designing bespoke garments and explains how her latest project, Draft.ed, is making personalised sewing blocks more accessible to home sewists around the world.
A thoughtful conversation about craftsmanship, creativity, slow sewing, and the enduring power of making clothes that truly fit.
Key Takeaways:
- Lisa explains how she can still vividly see her Grandmother's hands teaching her how to thread a needle and hand sew - she explains the importance of connection and passing skills down from generation to generation.
- Lisa feels that the process of sewing well fitting garments should be a slow process, as it's important to make it well and make it right.
- She's worked across many industries from project management to costume design, and wedding couture, but now she has developed a tool for sewists to input their measurements and generate a pattern block bespoke to their body.
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Guest details:
Instagram: @lisawagnerlondon
@draftedsewingpatterns
Website: www.lisawagnerlondon.com
www.draft-ed.com
Discount Code: SEWSOCIALPOD for 50% off a pattern block
Affiliate Links:
- Thready Set Go - https://threadysetgo.com
Discount code for your first month free - SEWINGSOCIALPOD
- Sew And Stow - https://www.sewandstow.co.uk/
Discount code for £10 off your board - SEWINGSOCIALPOD
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Lisa Wagner and her sewing journey
00:39 The significance of passing down sewing skills through generations
07:34 The role of sewing in identity and wellbeing
20:26 Introduction to Draft.ed and its purpose
31:17 How to measure for perfect trouser fit
44:25 The process of pattern fitting and adjustments
48:33 The creative process in pattern drafting
48:34 Discount code
Winners of the One Year Giveaway!!!
- Trina's Fun Box - Sew and Stow Board
- Ciao Linda Sews - Oliso Iron
- Anglomist - A pack of Aurifil Threads
- Koekenutsel - A pack of Aurifil Threads
- Lyndyloulou1 - £25 Sew Essential Voucher
- Nictwit25 - A PDF pattern of your choice from Izzo Sew Studio
Congratulations to all the lovely winners!
