Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Meet the Designer: Annie of Annie Sewzalot



My name is Annie, aka Annie Sewzalot, I am 38 and I have been sewing since around the age of 5. I’ve been surrounded by sewists and makers my whole life. My mom designed and sewed wedding dresses and my grandparents owned an upholstery shop. Some of my fondest memories as a child had to do with sewing/making in one form or another. I made a ton of scrunchies and pillows as a kid and I loved using my Grandpa’s button press to make custom buttons.  I was lucky enough to learn how to sew on industrial sewing machines and to this day, I would rather poke myself in the eye than sew on a home machine. I must have speed!!  


After high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where I met and married my husband. When our enlistments ended, we moved back to my hometown of Redding, California to start our family. We have three kids, Garrett 15, Logan 13 and Dalilah 6. 

When I became pregnant with my son, I wanted to make all the things so I got to work on his baby bedding. I caught the sewing bug again and started making things for friends and family. People were loving what I was making so I decided to do a few craft fairs and that eventually led to me starting a bedding company in 2010. The company was super successful but extremely stressful and time consuming while trying to raise 3 children. I wasn’t having fun anymore so I closed up shop last year to focus on my family and other interests.

About 2 years ago, I started pattern testing and strike sewing as a creative outlet. I have always enjoyed hacking existing patterns as well as drafting my own. I especially love drafting swim patterns. Over the last year, I have been approached by a few different pattern companies who were interested in hiring me as a pattern designer. I always kind of brushed it off as I was nervous about learning how to draft digitally. Give me some paper, a ruler and a pencil and I can draft by hand no problem but when it comes to technology, I am almost like a 90 year old woman!  But...the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like the perfect transition for where I am in my life right now so I recently signed on with Little Lizard King and I will be releasing my first pattern in late October!

I am so excited to be competing in Project Run and Play and I can’t wait to share my makes!


Related Posts

5 comments :

  1. Congrats! Looking forward to seeing your patterns with LLK and all your PR&P sews!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're going to be amazing! So happy you picked Little Lizard King! you did the right choice! only the best! So excited to see what you come up with on this competition. congratulations and good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow Annie! I am so excited for you in this competition and I cannot wait to make your first pattern! I love LLK! ❤

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm looking forward to seeing what you make after checking out your site.
    Deborah Devine

    ReplyDelete
  5. I loved hearing about your sewing journey

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.