Creative of the Month: Kate Ramage

Hey I'm Kate. Quietly obsessed.... ok not quietly obsessed, totally obsessed and everyone knows about it, with sewing anything and everything. @katey_makes is a place where all my sewing fun stuff goes.

I taught myself to sew at age 8 when I was bored and I raided the fabric stash in the roof of the garage and found a sewing machine. It took me most of a week to learn that the reason the thread balled up on the back of a project was that I had to put the presser foot down.

 I still have the first ever "garment" that I made (a set of jeans and a singlet for my fav teddy bear), he's currently sitting in the corner of my sewing room after I realised he is still wearing this masterpiece. I measured him accurately and made pants that exactly fitted him (as if he was 2D). After I added a gusset, did the standard pencil case and set of boxer shorts (also made for a 2D) model in intermediate, I was away..... except I didn't sew again until I was 20. 

I hit uni, and decided every item of clothing needed altering, I must have hand sewn a lot - although I'm dubious as I hate hand sewing - alternatively I must have come back to NZ every uni holidays and been inseparable from my then boyfriends mum's sewing machine.

For my 21st, the same mum - now mother in law - gifted me my very own Elna 1000.I'm not sure if there is a machine out there that has more milage on it, and has only in the last 5 years been retired to back up machine. 

At one point in time a bestie and I were having coffee and the conversation went something along the lines of 

"I want to start a lingerie brand"  

"That's an awesome idea, definitely and yes! Have you ever made any lingerie?"
"Absolutely not, not even close, but I saw this lady on instagram and she reckon's its quite easy" 
"When will you launch it?"

I have 2 apprentice humans that are still allowing me to sew for them, they tolerate the Christmas PJs that they wear year round, they will ask for ridiculous dress ups knowing the answer will always be yes, and they happily choose a cool piece of clothing, a soft toy or FPPP quilted wall art for any celebration. They occasionally proclaim that their mummy could make that even when its widely untrue and it makes me smile. 

My most favourite story from such proclamations came back to me from a teacher. My real job is being an Osteopath although I haven't actually owned up to myself that its not "wielder of superpowers within the 4 walls of my sewing room". 

The apprentice humans teacher messaged me one day to enlighten me about his fantastic thoughts in class. 

"What does your mummy do for a job?" 

"She does stuff with underwear and massages people".

Please never ever let me forget this!

I have spent heaps of time playing with other peoples patterns, I absolutely love trying new patterns and learning new techniques. I deep dive into anything and everything I do and when it comes to pattern making, I started with absorbing all the rules, so I could learn which ones I could break. I love challenging the status quo whilst sewing, experimenting with "the wrong" fabrics, seeing why or why not. Sometimes I do rely on gut instinct and feel and thankfully it pays off the majority of the time. My favourite bra is one made from my childhood curtains. 

Once I used to post every make, write a story, all my edits and changes and there are insta legends out there inspiring me to start doing this again. I would love to see my feed once again oozing with this information, and passing on the sewing community love that is shared knowledge!

I love the sewing community for this and the constant need to help and inspire- and just generally vibe sewing! 

Local Inspiration

If a fellow creative had a few days to explore the creative side of your city/town, what would be your recommended itinerary?
Include sight-seeing, markets, galleries, shopping, and eating out! 

Auckland is a cool place and hidden treasures await, there are the go to fabric stores @thefabricbox @wearethefabricstore @drapersfabrics, one can't go past the wonder of Ikes emporium @emporiumsnz as a treasure trove of sewing supplies most of which you didn't know you needed.

I do love a trip to Warkworth and tiny little gallery there @of_hand_and_heart_nz, up that way is also the @sculptureum.nz which is somewhat mind blowing in its diverse offerings.

If wine and cheese is your thing then a trip to L'Atelier du Fromage Café & Deli @latelierdufromage in Newmarket has to be on the cards (a couple of mins stroll from drapers and a bunch of galleries too!).

Cheap eats dinner has to go to @kisskisseatery for asian market vs neon signs vibe all wrapped up in a loud plastic table cloth. The winery experience has to hands down be a Waiheke island visit on a summers day, wearing the best of your me made items to lounge amongst the olive trees and lavender plants on the roof top Mudbrick vineyard overlooking the Hauraki gulf.

What's the best seasonal event or festival in your area that celebrates creativity, craft, or textiles?

If the greater north island can be considered my area, I'm claiming WOW (world of wearable arts festival) in Wellington. It's on my bucket list and I can't believe I haven't made it there yet!

Your Craft

Your Sewing Specialties
What kind of sewing do you love most? (Garments, quilting, mending, embroidery, etc.)

Currently sewing a hacked Marilla Walker "Isca" shirtdress with neck and cuff ruffles which I kind of imagine being layering piece - I'm using 8oz washed black denim and it's killing my hands and taking ages but hopefully will turn out ok. there are knitting projects next to every couch/bed

Your favourite recipe to share

I love Nagi from Recipe Tin Eats! Her Vietnamese coconut lemongrass pulled pork is on high rotation and I utterly love it. Chilli, vinegar, mint, coconut, lemongrass, coriander - what more could a human ask for? 

Your favourite sewing pattern
What is your all-time favourite sewing pattern and why?

Wow! That's a question, my immediate go to would be the Emerald Erin black beauty bra. I would have made close to 50 times, Ive adapted it, Ive made it in a bazzilion different sizes, I've taught courses using it, its size inclusive and it fits across the board fairly well.

It was 2nd or 3rd bra pattern I made and the instructions are excellent, as are the illustrations. When I pull that pattern out of the draw it has 3 A4 envelopes of printed pieces and instruction books, and by far the most cellotape holding it together.

Current Projects

What project/s do you have currently on the go?

Yesterday I finished a pair of Closet Core Carolyne pyjamas in a stunning pink kitty block print from The Sewing Department. 

I am not a WIP kinda person, so current projects of potential inspiration for the weekend will likely start with  perusing the pattern wish list --- a pair of sailor jeans (pattern to be made from a RTW pair that have died), a Hampton jean jacket, a white and black storm trooper inspired lingerie set, an Emerson cross body bag from blanket statement for a friend, jumping on the mens suit jacket transformation to bomber jacket bandwagon if op shopping is lucrative, or a heavy shoe bag for my track spikes.

Dive into the vibrant world of KATE on Instagram: @katey_makes