Today we chat with Colorado Chapter President Anne Kuehn.

Anne, tell us about your business?

I opened Design To Fashion LLC in 2016. Located in Broomfield, Colorado offering Manufacturing, Pattern Making, and Product Development.

What professional title do you use?

I usually start with Patternmaker

How did you decide what your business niche would be?

Getting the fit right from the start is what I care about most. And, I love seeing other designers’ ideas come to life.

What makes your business unique?

I am not afraid of complicated patterns. I will grade folded origami styles if asked. Those are some of my favorite projects.

What is something that you have always wanted to learn?

Bobbin lace

What is your favorite task to do in your business?

Making Patterns

What is the worst thing about being in business?

Clients who don't realize how much work and time goes into developing garments. People forget that between sample and production there is grading, sourcing, yardage calculation, sewing workflows, and more.

What is one of your favorite things about your work space?

It is nice to have most of the basement to myself.

How did you develop the layout of your workspace?

Tetris - how to squeeze one more thing in.

What is the first thing clients notice about your space?

I think people are often surprised how much the basement looks like an office/workshop.

What is your favorite part about being an ASDP member?

Keeping small businesses going is all about connections. The more we work together the more we gain.

What goals do you have for your business (or yourself professionally) in the next 5 years?

There are plans for new pattern making software in the works. Also, I can see my current small batch production potentially expanding into a local factory.

If you could learn from any sewlebrity (dead or alive) and time and money were no object, who would it be and what would you learn?

Shingo Sato - His creative pattern making always inspires me.

What are your favorite resources and/or authors from whom you have learned the most?

I will read any pattern making books I find. Especially, old ones from 100+ years ago. There is a lot to be learned about the technique from those who make patterns before sizing charts were created.

What is the craziest request you have ever had from a client?

Six stiff satin helmets that had wooden doorknobs on top.

What project is your absolute proudest moment?

Grading for this white jacket, the curves in the layers are all bezier curves, and each size bases those curves on the same body positions.

What else should we know about you or your business?

I have recently acquired a wide-format printer and will be offering full sheet pattern printing. I will also print specific layers from PDFs if requested.

You can Anne online on her website designtofashion.com and

Advisory Cloud @Anne-Kuehn

LinkedIn @anneekuehn 

Facebook @designtofashion

Instagram @designtofashion