MEET

M Nsterfabriken

We chat to Sara Hallander, the designer behind this Swedish pattern company

Tell us a little about Mönsterfabriken?

We are a small Swedish sewing pattern company based in Stockholm. It all came about from a combination of the joy of sewing, as well as many years as an experienced pattern maker.

My drive is in the details, I always end up making patterns with some little extra detail, but it’s really important to me that the garment’s design stands the test of time so that sewers will make the patterns over and over again!

The name Mönsterfabriken might seem a bit odd to everyone who isn’t from Sweden but in Swedish it means the Pattern Factory!

What makes your sewing patterns different from other brands, and are your designs influenced by where you live?

I like to think Mönsterfabriken provides a different kind of style than what’s already available on the market.

I want the clothes to be feminine but also very practical, and that challenge the sewist!

Our primary focus is on the fit, together with making patterns easy to follow and alter. The designs are definitely influenced by Scandinavian style, with clean, stylish line and not so much fuss!

How many patterns do you have so far, and how often do you release new patterns?

At present, I have 20 patterns with three of them recently released a couple of weeks ago. The most recent ones are Ada Coat, Polly Waistcoat and Lizzie Wrap skirt. I try to release new patterns two to three times a year so I guess, the next time will be at the beginning of the autumn.

Tell us about your pattern sizing and how you grade for an inclusive range?

We have a slightly different approach when naming the sizes. I think in general it’s so hard to tell your true size when using the regular sizes such as S, M and L or equivalent.

Every brand has their own way of deciding what ‘size M’ should be and it’s rarely the same as another designer’s. Therefore, we use a different standard that’s designed by the EU to be a new ISO standard, where you use primary and secondary measurements to decide your size. For example for a top – you just measure your chest, which is the primary measurement for a top, and then the sizes are named after that. If your chest measurement is 88cm then your size is called 88. For a bottom, you would need your seat measurement and if the measurement is 98cm then your size is named 98!

The secondary measurement might in this case be the waist or the inseam to give you a clearer idea if you need to make any alterations for the garment to fit you perfectly. This is nothing new since you always need to measure your body when choosing your size if you are sewing clothes.

To me when making clothes for yourself, it’s all about your body and nothing about standard sizes! The larger size range is adapted to a slightly curvier body than the smaller since a larger body shape doesn’t have the same shape as the smaller. Apart from being two different base patterns for the two size ranges, the grading is adapted to how the body changes with the sizes.

What do you love the most about sewing your clothes?

I think the best thing about sewing my own clothes is all the choices you have! When I create a pattern, I start with an idea of what it should look like with a particular fabric in mind. As the idea develops, I always end up with so many more ideas of fabric combinations and possible areas of use! My own personal list of sewing projects is endless!

What’s next for Mönsterfabriken? Do you have any new patterns in the pipeline?

As I have just released three new patterns last month, at the moment, I’m in the design phase for the next upcoming patterns I hope to have them ready for sewers soon after the summer!

To view the full range of patterns from Mönsterfabriken and find your local stockist - click here