The clothes that Shelly Figeuroa designs for her pattern company Figgy’s really stand out in this world of t-shirts and sweatpants. Figgy’s patterns are super chic, but are designed with real kids in mind. They are always simple and modern, but they have delightful details as well. They are constructed in interesting ways, but not impossible to sew. Most importantly they are comfortable and my kids love wearing them.
Figgy’s started with a single pattern. Read my interview with Shelly to see that first pattern and how her company has grown since! At the end of the post you can to enter to win some fabulous Figgy’s patterns!
- When did you learn to sew and who taught you?
My very patient mother taught me how to sew and I had a little help from the 4H too.
- When did you first start designing your own patterns? Do you remember what the first pattern you made was?
My first pattern was the “Ella’s Bubble Bottom Skirt”. It was first just a skirt I made up and was selling on Etsy but Anita the owner of Sew to Speak in Ohio asked if I would make up a pattern and teach a class at her shop. That was in 2008.
- How did you make the jump from making your own patterns to selling them? Was there anyone specific who influenced you?
I owe it to both Anita at Sew to Speak for giving me courage and Gina owner of Bolt Fabric for adding the heart. I took my little hand drawn pattern to Gina at Bolt and she sat down with me and told me everything that was good and bad. I’ve always thought of her as my mentor. I love that woman and wish I could visit with her everyday.
- How has Figgy’s grown and changed over the years?
1000 ways and more. It’s been quite a journey of regret, mistakes, success and growth. I found that when I really was true to myself I was happiest. When I stopped trying to please people and just say yes to things I loved it flowed. I owe a lot to Karen LePage and Danielle Caine for teaching me so much about myself and design. I’m happy to say I’ve found what I truly love through the journey but it wasn’t always easy.
- Figgy’s has gone from simple patterns to modern, fashion forward children’s wear. Can you talk about that a bit?
The change came with the idea of being true to what type of clothing I love. I’m not the “Ruffle” type of gal. I love clean lines with pops of unique. Japanese pattern books are extremely inspirational for me.
- What has designing and selling children’s wear patterns taught you about sewing? drafting? business? life? pick one or all 😉
The first major thing about selling children’s wear patterns is that you can’t please everyone and that’s ok. I’ve learned to pay someone to do a job that would have taken me 1000 more hours. It’s best to present for the people rather than sitting behind a computer learning new software.
- What would you tell someone who wants to sell their own patterns?
- When someone pays you a compliment say, “Thank you,” because you deserve it.
- Schedule hours and stick to them.
- Don’t release a pattern until you feel 110% otherwise you’ll sit up nights worrying that something was wrong and its too late.
- Don’t share the date for release until everything is 110%, it takes the pressure off.
- You are also passionate about teaching children to sew! Could you tell us a bit about the classes you teach?
Teaching has really taken over my life (in a good way). I LOVE inspiring kids to think outside the box and if they feel it then go for it! My classes have no real age limit or levels to them. If a child has never sewn before but wants to make a dress then I say let’s do it. I won’t make them sit through a load of projects that they could care less about. I like to grab them where their passion lies. My new book for C&T publishing was 100% inspired by the kids I teach and I can’t wait to share that with my kiddos.
- Wait, a book?! Tell us more!
- Do you have any advice about teaching our kids to sew?
Purchase new machines with speed control. Nothing is worse than trying to teach a child on a machine that is so old and dusty it barely works.
Grab a piece of painters tape or washi tape and place it at the 1/2″ seam allowance mark. Direct them to place the edge of the fabric with the edge of the tape to help them learn to sew straight. Let them play with the decorative stitches for as long as they want. Sewing should be fun!
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That’s great advice, Shelly, thank you!
Now I know you want to sew up some of these lovely patterns! Shelly has generously offered to giveaway the whole Heavenly Collection: 7 patterns that can easily be mixed and matched to create a whole wardrobe (a $70 value!). Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter by Friday Feb 6. This giveaway is open to international entries, void where prohibited by law. One winner will receive 7 PDF patterns from the Heavenly Collection.
Good Luck and Happy KCW!
Don’t forget to enter all the giveaways this giveaway week: Pattern Workshop, Scientific Seamstress and Sis Boom Patterns, Whipstich, Crafterhours, Figgy’s
I love the style of Figgy’s patterns, I haven’t made one yet, but I would love to try one!
I would love to win patterns especially if they look as lovely as these!
I have only seen the celestial tee, which Is lovely. I have been eyeing up the sunki dress for a really long time!
I have not sewn any of your patterns yet but I would like to make the sunken leggings for my daughter when she gets bigger! (she is 7 months old now. ^^)
i haven’t tried a figgy’s pattern yet, but i have always loved the ethereal dress and the banyan tee.
I’ve made the banyan tee several times for my girls. My eldest has just grown out of it though, boo! would love to try some of the newer patterns, thanks for the chance!
I haven’t sewn Figgy’s yet. I’d love to try the Banyan Tee and the Scirocco.
I’ve made the scirocco dress and the Sunki dress…multiple times each. I LOVE the Eos dress but haven’t bought it yet!
Awesome giveaway! I made the Celestial tee a while ago. The Sunki dress is waiting in my stash…
I haven’t made one he, but I own a couple, guess I better get on it!
I love Figgy’s patterns. and in my opinion you can never have too many patterns… or too much fabric.
Figgy’s patterns are amazing! I would be dancing in my lounge if I won this prize – love your style!
I have sewn the Celestial Tee and I thought it turned out beautifully with such simple, easy details.
I would like to try the Celestial tee!
Not sure the name of the pattern, but that two tone dress looks so fun!
Its nice to see fashion forward.
The nituna jacket I made my daughter is one of my favorite things I’ve ever made!
The Sunki dress is high on my “to sew” list
I have sewn the Ethereal top/dress. It was an easy sew, and my nieces loved the dresses!
I’m totally smitten by these patterns! And I really enjoyed reading the interview! It gives me hope! =)
I love the Ethereal dress pattern. That flounce is just the right amount of sweet!
I have made and absolutely loved the Scirocco Dress. I can’t wait to try more Figgy’s patterns!
I haven’t tried these patterns but sure would love to.
I have not used a figgy pattern before, but I would love to try one!
I love the Sunki dress and leggings! The Scirocco dress is amazing! I’ve made it twice and it’s a favorite! I’ve also made the Nituna jacket, which is also awesome!
I love these patterns. They’re garments that I would enjoy sewing and that the children I sew for would enjoy wearing. There are more than a few that I’d like to wear myself. Thanks for the chance to win the pattern bundle.
I haven’t but I’ve always wanted to sew the zephyr with a liberty print.
I’ve just purchased a small machine to start teaching my son (age almost 4) to sew on and am glad to find it has speed control. Thank you for the advice on teaching kids.
Haven’t tried any Figgy’s patterns, but I can see a few I would like to try, including the Bunyan trousers
I didn’t know Figgy’s patterns until I read this blog post, but I would love to sew that Banyan Tee!
i love Figgy’s patterns. I have seen several Banyan tees for my daughter and I can’t wait to add a sunki to her wardrobe for our upcoming autumn/winter.
I have Sunki pattern and plan to sew it, when I can make up my mind on what fabric to use…
I have a few patterns but I haven’t gotten around to sewing them up. I’m tempted by that pretty chambray ruffle dress now, though.
I have the Celestial tee pattern but haven’t tried it yet. Knits are a little scary! I’ve always wanted to make a Sunki dress. I must buy that pattern!
I own the Nituna jacket pattern but am yet to sew it up (waiting for Australian winter). I would also really like to try the Ethereal and Scirocco dresses. I love the style of Figgy’s patterns.
Those are lovely! I’m currently in a weird sewing funk where I don’t want to sew with any of the fabrics or any of the patterns I have. This would be a great jumpstart! (But since the chances of me winning are so low, I won’t count on it… 😉 ) I love the neckline pleats in the celestial tee, though–so nice!
I love Figgy’s patterns. I have only made the Sunki leggings, but I am really wanting to make the Nituna jacket. I do say the cover photo intimidates me because it is so gorgeous.
I made the EOS dress and LOVE IT!!! It’s on my to-do list to make again.
The Etherial dress is on my list!
I haven’t sewn any of Figgy’s patterns yet, but I’ve had my eye on the Celestial Tee since it was released.
I’ve never sewn one, but I think the Sunki dress is my favourite.
love the banyan tee.
Love the Sunki dress, but haven’t tried it yet.
i fell in love with Figgy’s when I saw the sunki dress and nituna coat years ago. Those were my first indie pattern purchases and still some of my favorite!
I haven’t tried any Figgy’s patterns yet, but the Banyan Tee would be my pick to start with.
I haven’t but I have a bunch on my Pinterest wish list, including the scirocco!
Love the advice about teaching on a new sewing machine!,
And i have a couple of Figgy patterns just not sewed them yet. I love the scirrocco
BEautiful. I have a couple of older patterns and they are very sweet.
Love her style. I haven’t tried any of the patterns yet but would love to!
I bought the Bunyan pants pattern a few years ago with the best intentions…..however I didn’t get around to sewing them up! I’d love to make a pair for my son before he’s too big for them….fingers crossed!
I love the patterns, I just found them and I cant wait to go buy them later tonight.
I really love your story as much as your designs. I recently came across your patterns and am loving this opportunity. I would probably first make either the beautiful gray dress with the draped ruffle or the adorable brown tunic top. They both look just like my grand-princesses.
Yes! My girls have several Banyan tees … and I love them!
I haven’t sewn with their patterns but would like to sew the Stellar Dress/Tunic.
I have made the Banyan tee for my daughter and so many people love it!
I don’t own a Figgy’s pattern yet, but I heard about the company a while back and have admired the patterns. I have my eye on the Celestial, Zephyr, Ayashe, and Sunki patterns.
I love the style of the patterns
I’ve stitched the free circle skirt pattern again and again.
I have not sewn a Figgy’s pattern but I really want to try a Nituna jacket.
I’ve never sewn one, but I own the Sunki. I need to find time to sew it up!
I’ve made the nituna jacket and scirocco dress. I love the clean lines and fun, modern design of Figgy’s patterns! I have fabric for a sunki, so that’s my next figgy’s project 🙂
I haven’t had the chance to try any yet, but I’d like to make the Nituna Jacket and the Celestial Pullover.
I love Figgy’s. I have several of the patterns in my stash, though so far I have only sewn the banyan tee..
I have never seen a Figgy’s pattern, and there is so many choices that I can’t pick just one. The bundle would be so perfect for all 3 of my girls.
i haven’t sewn any figgy’s yet! i’d love to do the ethereal dress for my daughter!
love the Nituna pattern! that would be my first to sew
i haven’t sewn any but i’ve been eyeing the celestial tee!
Never tried any Figgy’s pattern yet and I just took a look at their site, Sunki and Stellar can be very cute for my little one.
Gorgeous sewing patterns
Lovely patterns. It would be hard to pick. Banyan, Scirocco…
I never tried a figgy´s pattern before but i love the sunki dress, and i think it would be the first to try.
I bought one of Figgy’s first patterns that’s not even available anymore, the Tee for Two! I would love to try out some of her newest patterns, they look beautiful!!!
I’d love to win this pattern collection, so many beautiful designs ! I especially like the stellar tunic.
I’ve never sewn with a Figgy pattern – but I really want to! I especially love the romper pattern! 🙂
I have not sewn a Figgy’s pattern before, but I know that they would be exactly my daughter’s style. So I should! I need to get better about making things for her that fit her style more than mine. Especially since she’s growing older and developing an opinion of her own on eveeeerything!!
I love the patterns and I never try one this would be a great oportunity
I have shamefully not sewn any of Figgy’s patterns, however in my defense I own several!
I haven’t sewn a Figgy’s pattern yet. Uhm… I love the Etheral dress.
I have not sewn a Figgy’s pattern but I like the look of the Celestial Tee!
I would love to make the Stellar Dress for my little girl!
I have one of the older Figgy’s patterns and I love it. Can’t wait to try some from this new collection!
I love Figgy’s patterns.
I would like to sew the sunki dress pattern.
I love the Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs
and if The Wild Things wig from instagram considered a pattern I’m all over that lol
I really love all the pattern collection…. ethereal dress is my favourite
I would love to make every single pattern… 🙂
I’d like to sew the Stellar Tunic.
The patterns look great. They make me feel anxious to try them out!
I’d love the sunki dress or the stellar tunic…. two beautiful patterns!
What COOL patterns for kids! Love!
I always wondered where the 1st Bubble Skirt pattern came from.
I like how sweet and simple the clothes look.
I’ve been eyeing this collection for awhile! Especially the pullover.
LOVE Figgy patterns!
I’ve been searching for creative patterns. Would live to try any of these projects.
I love finding new designers to check out!
oh, I really love figgy’s patterns!