A
PERFECT
FIT

Lisa Howdin of Fitz Patterns makes sewing indie fashions just a download away.

BY NATALIE ZEE DRIEU

“Online, downloadable patterns for top names after her friends. Most of the patterns are chicks!” is just one of the fun taglines only a few dollars apiece (Australian currency), and Lisa Howdin announces on her indie sew- Howdin offers eight free patterns, some of which ing pattern site, Fitz Patterns ( fitzpatterns.com). have also been featured in the CRAF T Pattern Howdin, a designer living in Canberra, Australia, Podcasts ( craftzine.com/podcast). grew tired of the boring pattern books in her local One of Howdin’s favorites is the Tonia Cape, a fabric stores and decided to merge her love of cre- great-looking winter wrap with her own decidedly ating fashion and sewing, with her web expertise. modern take. “I liked the skinny jean thing but

“As a fabric hoarder, I also really like the idea of couldn’t think of something warm to wear with being able to look at what I already have while select- them that didn’t look a bit underdressed or too ing a pattern,” explains Howdin. “I’m unfortunately young for me,” explains Howdin. “A cape seemed completely lacking in patience, so I love the idea of like a nice elegant solution. I hope they stick around being able to ‘download now’ and start sewing ASAP.” as a fashion thing.”

Fitzpatterns.com was born in 2004 and now To create her sewing patterns, Howdin starts boasts more than 25 cool indie-style patterns, with a sketch to figure out the best or simplest way including one hoodie pattern for men. to make a top, pant, or dress. She then drafts up a

“Originally I was going to offer custom-fit sewing pattern either by hand or using various patternmak-patterns, so I thought [the name] Fitz was kind of ing software. (Howdin recommends the book Metric a cute play on that,” says Howdin. “I still might do Pattern Cutting by Winifred Aldrich for newbies inter-that, but I found there were a lot of people that ested in patternmaking.) just wanted something quick to whizz up for Next, she prints the pattern, fixes mistakes, and Friday night.” makes up a sample; the process can loop repeatedly

Her hip styles range the fashion gamut from here until the pattern is perfect. When she’s fully the girly Camille Ballet Top and Mimi Puffy Sleeve satisfied, Howdin posts the finished pattern in PDF Blouse to the laid-back and casual Deanne format to her Fitz Patterns site.

Knickerbockers and Debbie Mini-Dress. All of her “I quite often go back and use a pattern, following patterns are fresh styles that Howdin designs and the instructions to see that they are as clear as they