I am so excited to finally share some exciting news - I designed a pattern in collaboration with TAUKO magazine! I’ve always been drawn to this particular sewing magazine because it is just SO cool looking. It also includes gorgeous garment sewing patterns in every issue. When they reached out to see If I wanted to be featured in not one, but two issues, It was an easy yes!
About Tauko
(From their Website):
TAUKO Magazine is a pioneering independent print publication for home sewists and fashion and culture lovers, who have a big heart for the planet. It has its headquarters in Helsinki and Berlin and is founded and published by art researchers, fashion designers, makers, and passionate fighters for planetary wellbeing, Kaisa Rissanen and Mila Moisio. Its international network of contributors, designers, writers, photographers, and illustrators share the need to bring mindful and beautiful work to the world.
Each issue features more than 10 sewing pattern designs created by celebrities and newcomers from the sewing community. A carefully curated selection makes design clothing accessible to anyone willing to try out sewing and learn new skills. With actual-size paper patterns, easy guidelines, agile images, and illustrations, we wish to make the sewing experience empowering, exciting and fun. The vast horizon of crafts, culture, and climate is featured in interviews, columns, articles, tips, and recommendations by our international contributors.
Designing INGRID
When Kaisa and Mila told me they wanted me to design a pattern for the denim issue, I was thrilled. I love sewing denim and I immediately felt the creative sparks flying. I sketched many possibilities for my design but ultimately landed on a pinafore. After all, Helen’s Closet is somewhat known for the York Pinafore and our other bib/apron inspired designs. It felt on-brand and I knew it would be relatively easy to fit and fun to sew!
INGRID is inspired by walking to your local library, strong coffee, and even stronger morals. I wanted a pinafore that looked smart and a little sassy. With big pockets, of course! Here is the final description for the INGRID Pinafore:
Helen Wilkinson is a sewing pattern designer from Vancouver Island, Canada. She loves to design playful patterns that are fun to sew and even more fun to wear. Helen enjoys apron-inspired garments and has always had an affinity for pinafores and overalls. INGRID captures this inspiration with a long or short denim pinafore with comfy oversized pockets and optional overalls hardware. INGRID has a 90s flair and a bookish charm. In fact, you could probably fit a paperback in those pockets! This pattern works great in denim or other structured medium to heavy-weight fabrics.
Since TAUKO includes all the instructions in their magazine, we have to keep the steps down. I am known for my 50 page-long PDF instruction booklets, so this was a big challenge for me! I kept the design simple and approachable and drew construction inspiration from our popular Sam Apron pattern. The scooped sides of INGRID are finished with bias facing and the straps can be sewn into the bib or overalls hardware can be optionally added.
My favourite things about INGRID are the large front pockets and the split from hem on the longer version. I love a chunky hem and we did a hem facing to achieve just that on this design. The center front seam is also a fun design element and it leaves this one open to colourblocking!
INGRID is intended to fit loosely through the waist and hip and it has an a-line shape. This pattern goes from 37.8” - 64.5” hip.
My INGRIDS
I helped to test this design and I sewed up a few versions during that process. I knew I wanted to make one in denim, since that is the theme of the issue. I chose this medium-wash denim that weighs in at about 10 oz. I love the colour of this fabric and I look forward to it getting nice and soft and supple with wear. I used some leftover cotton bias tape I had on hand for the binding. So cute!
I also wanted to sew INGRID up in a non-denim fabric, so I made this version using this Ruby Star Society Warp and Weft Chore Coat woven. This is a chunky cotton fabric that has a looser weave. I love the vertical stripes and thought it would be cool to see how they looked on the pinafore. I cut the straps and pockets on the cross grain and I really like this effect.
I still need to make the shorter view of INGRID and I look forward to doing that this Spring. This design really is a versatile one because it works in all seasons. It makes a great layering piece all year round! In the summer, I was regularly wearing my INGRIDS as cute swimsuit coverups.
Get Access to INGRID
You can pre-order the second edition of the denim issue now! The first one flew off the shelves so they are re-printing it and it will be available soon. You can also purchase just INGRID from the TAUKO online store. In this case, you are purchasing a digital PDF version of INGRID, not a digital version of the whole magazine.
I mentioned that TAUKO invited me to be a part of two issues, and I loved being featured in issue 12 as well! I wrote an article about clothing and identity and what sewing and self expression means to me. It was so much fun to reflect on this subject and I got to see photos of myself and my projects in this amazing magazine, it was such a treat!
Big thank you to TAUKO for including me in both of these issues! It was so much fun!
