National Sewing Month is about more than just patterns, fabric, and thread. It’s also about the people behind the Very Iconic Patterns, the employees whose dedication, expertise, and vision shape the sewing experience for millions of sewists and crafters.
Marge Smith: Committed to the Home Sewing Community!
As Simplicity’s Quality Control Manager, Marjorie Smith has spent over a decade ensuring that each sewing pattern is accurate, and the instruction sheets are clear. Joining Simplicity Patterns in Customer Service she formed relationships with many people who called in for sewing advice, this experience gives her real-world insight into the customer’s process.
From the grainline arrows to the step-by-step sewing instructions found printed on the envelope and folded neatly inside, her keen eye has saved countless projects from becoming UFOs (unfinished objects). Marjorie’s commitment reminds us that inside every sewing pattern envelope there’s more than paper there’s trust, history, and the quiet dedication of someone making sure home sewists get the tools they need to succeed.
“I am deeply passionate about creating a product I can truly stand behind. In an era dominated by automation, we stand out in that human hands are involved in every stage of our pattern production.” Marjorie Smith explains. She further elaborates, “Our goal is to provide home sewing patterns that equip consumers with all the technical details and knowledge they need, so their creativity can take center stage."
Most home sewists have a story about getting stuck on instructions or puzzling over markings, but few stories have become as legendary as the moment one Vogue Pattern V1841 went out with the note: “Hi Marge, is this line supposed to be solid?” That single phrase, meant as a quick quality-check note during the height of remote COVID work slipped through and made its way into print, sparking a cult following online. Reddit threads buzzed with, “Who is Marge?” while home sewists across the country felt a connection to the unseen hands guiding their projects. Marjorie enjoys making clothes and crafts, below are a few of her favorite patterns.
Carlos Correa: The Prolific Designer Takes a Bow!
For Carlos Correa, sewing patterns are more than just designs, they are a conversation between the technical precision of manufacturing and the creative energy of fashion. As the Design Team Lead for Simplicity.com, Carlos works on all the sewing pattern brands, but he is best known for his tenure at legendary Vogue Patterns. Carlos has conceived the patterns that have dressed millions of people over the course of his esteemed career in the home sewing industry. He and his team are responsible for developing countless garments from a concept to finished design to a Very Iconic Pattern!
"Having spent much of my career in the home sewing industry, including many years shaping collections at Vogue Patterns, I draw daily inspiration from the global fashion stage, the pulse of pop culture, and the vibrant conversations with our dedicated sewing community.” says Carlos Correa.
His daily work requires balancing artistry with function: ensuring that a fashion concept translates into pieces that a customer desires to stitch into reality. He approaches each project with decades of in-depth technical knowledge and a vibrant creative vision. That philosophy has made him a cornerstone of the design team. Whether it’s refining fit, updating techniques, or ensuring compatibility with modern fabrics, Carlos’s work is proof that the people behind the patterns are as vital as the designs themselves.
It’s the Very Important People that make the Very Iconic Patterns!
It’s the people behind the patterns who ensure their endurance. From Marjorie’s watchful eye to Carlos’s beautiful artistry, these individuals embody the values of creativity, craftsmanship, and community that have defined the home sewing industry.
National Sewing Month at Simplicity.com
National Sewing Month is our annual celebration of home sewists everywhere. Throughout September, Simplicity.com spotlights the patterns, people, and projects that inspire makers at every level from first-time beginners to seasoned crafters. This year’s VIP campaign begins with Very Iconic Patterns honoring sewing history while introducing new collections that will inspire the next generation. The VIP series: Very Iconic Patterns, Very Important People, Very Inspiring PDFs, and Very Innovative Projectables celebrates the full spectrum of fashion, crafting, and the talent that supports the home sewing community.
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