Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage design children’s clothing for their company Patterns by Figgy’s and just released their first book, Sewing for Boys (Wiley). Today we’re excited to learn a little bit more about how these ladies decided to collaborate on a creative business and later a book. Shelly and Karen are living proof that dedication to your craft can lead to a very successful career in design.
I read on your website that you two met on Flickr and live across the country from each other. How did you decide to go into business together?
{S} We found one another in a group that shares a mutual love for fabric and design. Karen posted a photograph of a beautiful handmade pinafore, so I made a comment about how terrific I found her work and designs. That sparked a conversation, which then blossomed into friendship. As our friendship grew, we found that we had the same goals and aspirations, most importantly, the desire to write a beautiful book focused solely on BOYS. It was the desire to write this book together that sparked all the other collaboration we’ve done.
I love the clean lines of your children’s clothing designs and the cute details. How you find inspiration for new patterns?
{K} We look to the past, because we both gravitate toward utility that is beautiful. We love the simple styles of the past, but we try to modernize them in a way that becomes a new classic. Of course, comfort is paramount, and because we focus on how a kid will feel in our clothes, we try to include details that are important to kids, like pockets and comfortable seams. Our aim is to always make a kid’s favorite garment.
{S} I am a lover of simple-to-sew projects and garments and I don’t like to make things more than once or twice, so it’s very important to me as a mother (because our time is precious) to make sure the designs have cute details and modern touches but won’t take all day to create.
Do you have a favorite project in the new book?
{K} It’s so hard to choose! I love “Let’s Go Fishing Hat†for its simplicity and utility, but my very favorite is “The Henry Shirt.†I love to mix and match fabrics, and I love how this shirt can work through all the seasons. Its relaxed fit is a big bonus for fidgety little guys.
{S} Since Karen picked two, I will too. I love the “Kickin’ Back Sweats†because they are super quick to make and the fit is all about comfort but there are also a lot of options offered. They are designed so you don’t have to just choose knit fabric but also woven, you can use the pattern to make surf pants or shorts, optional faux fly and pockets are also offered. I also love the “Easy Linen Shirt” because once again it’s a quick sew but is still super stylish and laid back. The West Coast girl is coming out of me with these two.
How did your relationship with Wiley begin?
We engaged Stefanie Von Borstel from Full Circle Literary to represent us and our idea. Her enthusiasm and direction helped us clarify our vision which she then took to publishers to find a good fit. She brought us several offers to publish our book, including one from Wiley. We love the work they do, and some of our favorite designers have written books with Wiley, so we chose to accept their offer.
How would you compare the process of publishing your individual patterns with writing a sewing book? Any challenges or surprises you weren’t expecting?
The main difference was the ultra-tight schedule, really. When I think about it, it blows me away that we were able to put together 24 projects, patterns, illustrations and instructions in 12 weeks, whereas usually we give ourselves 3 months to put together a line of 3 patterns. There were A LOT of long nights. We were pleasantly surprised and can honestly say that the entire book was exactly how we pictured, and unfortunately not all authors get to say that. The entire team was a pleasure to work with at Wiley and they really listened to what our vision for this book was.
What’s next for you ladies?
During the Spring Quilt Market in Utah, we were able to meet a lot of the fabric shop owners that currently carry Patterns by Figgy’s patterns, and we also met a lot of fabric reps who asked if we would like to preview upcoming fabrics. This gave us the idea that it was time to offer “trunk shows†so that the shops will have a way to showcase not only the patterns but new fabrics. We love having that personal relationship with the fabric shops.
During the next few months we’ll be taking some time promoting and enjoying the fun part of publishing a book. We’re also teaching classes in our local areas (Portland and Detroit), and crafting as much as possible!
Giveaway!
Wiley Publishing is giving away a copy of Sewing for Boys to one lucky Craft Buds reader! If you’d like to win, leave one comment on this post telling us something you’ve learned about the authors or the book publishing process. This giveaway is now closed.
We’ll be back on Wednesday with a sneak peek of the book Read the book review here and we’ll announce the winner of this book on Friday morning. For more chances to win, follow the rest of the blog tour:
September 5 Made by Rae
September 6 Sew, Mama, Sew
September 7 The Southern Institute & Film in the Fridge
September 8 Elsie Marley
September 9 Noodlehead & Oh, Fransson!
September 10 I Heart Linen
September 11 Anna Maria Horner
September 12 Craft Buds, Pink Chalk Fabric, Prudent Baby, Sew Much Ado
September 13 Very Purple Person, Quilt Story & Sew Sara
September 14 The Long Thread
September 15 Susan Beal
September 16 True Up
September 17 All Buttoned Up & Bolt Fabric Boutique
September 18 MADE & Wiley Craft
119 comments
I love how a picture posted online can lead to such a great collaboration!
I would love to win this book! I have started making my 15 month old a few items but this would be awesome!
I love that the authors met one another through a creative online group…I have so many friends I have met that way! 🙂
Thanks for the fun!
I love the fact that a comment on a photo sparks a whole new relationship which then produces a gorgeous book!
I loved this! It was most interesting to me that they live across the country from eachother.
I also have to agree and say that “The Henry Shirt” is a favorite of mine as well. Thank you for this opportunity to win a wonderful book. I have two boys and finding patterns for them can be real frustrating.
Shelly likes “simple to sew”, just like me. Great interview.
Great interview. I loved reading about the authors. I can’t believe they met online. The internet is a great networking tool.
Well, just now in reading your review I had no idea they lived so far apart. How cool they could do this. Imagine how impossible that would have been not too many years ago. I really do think they’ve created a book which many will want to have. Sewing for boys has been a tough thing for years. My boys are all over 24 yrs old and even back then it was next to impossible to do sewing for them unless it was boring and ugly. Their book has SO many adorable things like the cute little romper and those pajamas I’ve seen more than once during the tour. And now I have a brand new Grandson to sew for so I’m excited to get my hands on this book too. We have another Grandchild on the way but as of now we aren’t sure if it’s a boy or girl. I think though, many of the things in this book would work just as well for a little girl.
12 weeks! It is amazing that they got all these projects together in such a short amount of time.
Thanks for a great interview and a chance to win a copy of this awesome book!
I was interested to hear how the authors met – not how I expected!!
I really loved Shelly’s comment about wanting creating patterns that didn’t take all day to make, since she loves to make simpler items. A woman after my own heart! 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to win – I’d love to have a copy!!
I love that the authors met each other on the internet. I love that I came across their amazing book on the internet and cannot wait to get my hands on a copy! Where would we be without the net & blogland????
I love that the authors met on Flickr…amazing what opportunities have arisen because of online communities!
Awesome that two people who can pursue a vision together, and create such a BADLY NEEDED product, like Sewing for Boys, met by chance on the internet. 🙂
Having done some writing myself (articles etc) it’s always interesting to me how people get their material published and especially a sewing book like this! I’d love to win a copy of this book!!!
i was thinking, as I see others were also, that the authors did not know each other “in person”, met on line. I love that! What tallent! thanks!
Would love to win a copy of this book, I learned there are a variety of patterns that I’d like to try!
I think it’s amazing that they could meet through a flckr group, live so far apart, yet still run a successful business AND write a book together.
Love their patterns and I’d love to win the book! Thank you for the chance!
I love that they always keep what the kids would like in mind when designing their patterns and projects! Sometimes details are easy to overlook when just trying to get a project finished 🙂
thanks for an awesome giveaway!!!
I think it is such a great testament to the craft community that 2 people on the opposite side of the country can come together and produce such a great book!
So interesting that they met through the internet, it’s so weird that that really does happen (especially with such great success!) It’s fun to know what their favorite patterns are. Thanks for a chance to win!
Love this book! I have a new serger that is ready to be put to work!
Thank you!
i can’t wait to start sewing with this book!
The most interesting thing to me is how they met and that they live across the country from one another, but were able to work together on this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love how the authors met in an online group; just one little comment started it all!
So cool they met online
I love the idea that the authors of this wonderful book “met” online and their relationship blossomed into a wonderful book.
I am getting ready to have a little boy in 6 weeks . . . would love to get to play with this book!
Plus the authors are going to be teaching in Portland soon. One more reason to move to Portland!
I love that they live across the country from each other and that they met online. I also like that they look to the past with their designs.
Their favorites are my favorites too. At least from some of the pictures provided here.
I think it is so great that you met online and started a business venture from that friendship! It is amazing the things the internet has done for the crafting world!
I love that they tried to make patterns that wouldn’t take all day to sew — right now, I’ve only got about two hours a day that I can sew, if I’m lucky. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
I am amazed that their collaboration is over such a distance and that they met via Flickr – wow! Great patterns and inspiration for boys’ clothes. I can’t wait to sew from this book.
I think the publishing process is interesting. I don’t know that I really knew how it worked and it’s cool that refining the pitch itself was part of that process. Thanks for the chance!
Wow, I would never have guessed they were thousands of miles from each other and formed a business partnership…amazing! I’m new to this team, so all of this blog was news to me!
I learned that they formed a friendship online from a simple comment on a photo.
Wow! It’s amazing how the love of crafting and sewing can bring people together. I have found so much connection and a sense of belonging in this community and perhaps one day, like Shelly and Karen, will harvest the fruits of this 😉
naslyyadid(at)gmail(dot)com
I was interested that they used an agent to find offers from a publisher. I assumed that everyone who published craft/sewing books submitted proposals through the normal route and that they were then selected, but what a better way to go about it – having lots of offers to choose from sounds like a dream. I would think that is because they already had an established, successful pattern business?
As I am a big fan of Flickr as well, I love how these two ladies met on Flickr. Great how they created this lovely book, living on different sides of the country!
Wow! I have been looking forward to this book, but knew nothing of the history of it or the authors! Now I’m looking forward to it even more – very serendipitous!!
I thought it was interesting that the ladies pursued publishing their book the “old fashioned” way, by seeking an agent who went to bat for them. It seems I’ve encountered a few crafty ladies lately who mentioned being approached to write books. While that sounds very flattering and convenient, it’s nice to know that quality pattern designers still sometimes have to do their own legwork. 🙂
I had no idea you could hire someone to represent your book idea to potential publishers – very interesting 🙂 this book looks great, I am so crossing my fingers! thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I absolutely love that you ladies have come out with a book for boys!! I am about to be a grandmother to a baby boy in October, and everything seems to be geared toward little girls. Kudos to you both, your book and little boys!! 🙂
I like that they are trying to make clothes that are favorite pieces for kids and easy for us to sew. That’s a win-win in my book.
It is amazing to me that they put together the whole book in 12 weeks! And it is super cool that they met online.
I love that Shelley doesn’t like to make things more than once or twice, I’m like that too, especially with more complicated patterns. I like the challenge, but then I like to move onto the next challenge!
Thanks for making such a much needed book ladies!
(and thanks for the chance to win it!)
Cheers
Love how meeting online can lead to something so amazing!
OOOO, I’d love to win this book.
How amazing that they met on flickr! I want to meet a new bff online and start a business!
Speaking of friends, if I win a copy of this book I plan to give it to my dear friend that is having trouble finding sewing inspiration for her little sweet boy. We love to sew and I bet we would sew tons more together if I could get her some inspiring boy sewing ideas. Pick me!!!
i appreciate the fact that they both like stylish utility, comfort and ease! i can’t wait to get a copy of this book and start sewing more for my boy!
It’s so awesome that they met online and formed a friendship and a business. I am so glad that someone finally put out a book for boys clothing! I have a 1 year old and I would love this book so I can make some of those cute pjs!
It wasn’t that long ago that 2 people living across the continent from each other would never have had the opportunity to meet each other and collaborate on a book. Thank you, Al Gore, for inventing the internet and thank you,Craftbuds,for the opportunity to win said book!
I loved that they met on flickr!! How fun! I would also enjoy this book.
I really find it so amazing the amount of sharing and collaboration that is beginning because of the Internet and different media. I really enjoyed learning about the authors and why they decided to collaborate on a book.
I loved reading about their pattern inspirations – “utility that is beautiful”. How lovely!
What an amazing gift to produce these projects in such a short amount of time…I have a new appreciation for sewing and crafting book authors! P.S. can’t wait to try my hand with the Henry Shirt!
So neat to hear how they met online and went into business together!
I like to hear what their favorite projects are- I would LOVE to try these out on my 3 boys!!!
I had no idea books like this are written in 12 weeks. I figured they had many ideas and patterns already made before shopping a publisher. One of my really good friends is expecting a boy, I’d love to be able to make some items for her son.
It’s amazing that they met online… what a small world the internet has created! I would LOVE to win this book!
We are expecting our first grandson in December, so this book would be a wonderful since it has such great ideas and patterns! Thanks for the giveaway.
Is great that the authors met one another through a creative online group. How fun! I have so many friends I have met that way! Finaly a book for boys, yea!!!
I thought it was interesting read how different the timelines were between pattern publishing and book publishing.
i’m tired of buying clothes for my 2 boys. if i win this book, i would try to make something special to them. thanks.
NOrmally I am a bit of a technophobe (we dont have tv in our home, my mobile only makes phone calls etc.) but I do love that the internet can be used for building communites and bringing people together.
This book looks so great, and I love the projects I’ve seen people make from it! 😀
I learned that this book was one of the reasons for the author’s friendship. And meeting on flickr is so great!
Thank you for the generous giveaway!
Would love to get a copy of this book for my boy Saxon
It’s impressive you managed to put together this book in so little time. It would be such a honor to win a copy.
I would love to own this book and create some of this gorgeousness for my boys, I can’t believe that Shelly and Karen put this together in 12 weeks… I’m still working on things I started 12 weeks ago, maybe I need a deadline!
I learnt that they live on opposite sides of the country! And also that they create simple designs because as mums themselves they appreciate that we have very little time! Thanks for the chance.
Byrney3(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk
I enjoyed how the women met and now work together. I like their patterns as they look comfortable and utilitarian.
I had no idea that there was such a tight schedule! Only 12 weeks! I had imagined that a project like this book would take many, many months to come to fruition. It must have been quite an intense experience.
Thanks for the chance to win, fingers crossed 🙂
I would like to win!! Lovely book!
It sounds like it is hard work putting together a book!
I’d love to win!
Like the story of how the authors met. Would love to have this book to sew for my grandsons.
I can see the authors are very practical and love simple sewing with sweet details, just like me! I don´t have it (YET) in my hands, but I can already tell this is a great book! Thanks for the giveaway. Ana
I think Internet is the best tool for book publicity!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Neat how the authors met. I would love to see this book in person.
aliben7 (at) gmail (dot) com
I thought that books took a long time to come into fruition = 12 weeks Wow!
Wow, I would love to win this. I don’t have boys, but I know someone with boys. I’m a new follower from the More the Merrier blog hop. Please come by mine, if you get a chance.
Isn’t it amazing how the Internet connected these to gals to start a business. I’m so glad they connected. There is nearly enough things to make for boys. I love the Henry shirt.
I read that the authors are inspired by old family photos. I totally see it in the clothes and they are really cool. Thanks for the giveaway!
I like that they both like to design simple styles and comfortable.
I like that they made the patterns simple, comfy, cute & added pockets! What an awesome book! I would love to sew some new clothes for my twin boys! 🙂
I’ve actually been eyeing this book for a couple months now when I came upon it on amazon! I WANT this book! I have only boys and love sewing for them but there isn’t enough ideas out there!
I also love that go fishing hat! It’s SO cute and my boys would look adorable in some!
How cool that partners can live across the country and have such success! Looks like a great book. thank you!
Interested me to see the process of creating a book, it’s great to see others go through it and share their joys and struggles. I found that very encouraging because I believe that a book is a great vehicle to share your talents and knowledge with others. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for a chance to win this wonderful book. I love that the authors met online. I feel like my online friends “get” me more than my real life ones, even though we have never met. 🙂
Wow, they live across the country and managed to collaborate and get a book made up together. That’s impressive!
It’s interesting that Shelley and Karen met on flickr!
So glad the Internet can join like minds no matter where they are. Especially when the outcome is as great as this!
Love how they met online over a shared love of sewn items! 🙂
Amazing to me that they can accomplish so much collaboration living so far apart. Plus the fact that they achieved so much in 12 weeks!! Wow!
I love how they were inspired, and worked together even though they weren’t right next door. Very inspirational. I love the clothes of days gone by. I only wish I had all of my mom’s old patterns still 🙂
I would love to win this book. I have 2 grandsons ages 2.5 years and 6 months. So it would be perfect to create new clothes for them.
I would love to win this book! I am pregnant with my first child which is a boy and have no idea how to sew for boys! Thanks for this awesome giveaway!
I am so excited about this book. As a mom of a boy and a girl, I am constantly bummed that I can’t sew clothes for my boy, but I can make a whole wardrobe for my daughter. So excited to get my hands on this book!
Wow, how organized and dedicated they had to be to do that in TWELVE weeks?! I am very impressed. I would love to win this book, as I am awaiting the birth of my first grandson after 5 granddaughters. Will be fun to sew boy stuff for a change.
Thanks!
What a great book! My favorite part is how they met online and then decided to create something together.
What a delight — great patterns, coil bound book, super boy stuff and looks easy to adapt as well.
This book looks super awesome and I love you review of it. I love that you mentioned that it was spiral bound, since I really like books that are. They just seem more user friendly! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Glad to see that “utility” is an important part of the authors’ design creation. So many times things are cute, but not practical. If everything is as cute as the Henry shirt and the fishing hat, this is a must have book.
12 weeks????? WOW! I love how they met. They blend so well together and made an awesome book with some amazing patterns. Simply adorable. But, 12 weeks? WOW! That’s awesome!
Leigh Ann
Love the book. Would love to make some cute outfits for my grandson!
This looks like such a wonderful book, and I am amazed to learn that all those projects needed to be put together in 12 weeks.
Thanks for the interview, book review and a great giveaway!
I love this book! I need it in my life! I love that henry shirt but my heart belongs to those pyjamas!
I would LOVE to win this book. I am boy grandchildren and now that I am “re”tired, I have been sewing up a storm. This would inspire me to make more Boy things for my two grandson’s!
Would love the book
Yay! Finally a book for boys!!
Lroghair (at) aol (dot) com
This book looks like so much fun! Thanks for a chance to win. I know my little boy would love it if I focused on making him some clothes for once!
aliben7 (at) gmail (dot) com
I would love to win this book!! Ever since I had my son I wonder where all the cute boy patterns went!!
I love to sew comfortable but still cute clothes, but it won´t take all day to sew. Almost like the authors
I would love to win this book. I seem to be stuck at pajamas’s only!!
As a mom of 3 boys and only 1 girl, I am always on the look out for great boy ideas!! I am amazed on how much you got done in such a small amount of time!
I was interested in how they landed a publishing contract. I have an idea that I hope to be pitching someday soon.
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