About Me

Hello!

Welcome to A Challenging Sew, a passion that continues to grow and change.   

I am English, but have called the United States home for the last thirty years. Six years ago, I moved from the East Coast to live in New Orleans and focus full time on my business. I opened what is now Papermaple Studio and Atelier in the French Quarter, and continue to grow my online business as well, at Papermaple.com.

I have been sewing for decades, and have studied with some extraordinary experts over the years both in Paris, London and New York. Notable teachers include Julien Cristofoli, Azzedine Alaia’s Paris-based master draper and pattern maker and Madame Pico, draper for Couture houses Balmain, Madame Grès and Nina Ricci.  

My fascination with the Grès Couture house and time spent with Madame Picco have led to many hundreds of hours in the studio exploring their original pleating designs. 

This has led to some wonderful client collaborations, where I have been able to include elements of their traditional pleating in a new and reimagined way.

Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gualtier, Vivienne Westwood and Rick Owen are constant inspirations in my sewing life, and designers I admire greatly.

A Challenging Sew

When sewing for Private Clients, I like to push the technical boundaries of what is expected with a fabric and what can be achieved with a design - the structures and foundations you don’t see, especially in Couture, which historically have always been kept more secretive.  

This knowledge led me to start this blog called A Challenging Sew in 2011, so I could share some of the intricacies at a more advanced level.   Millions of views later, it still remains incredibly popular with so many readers telling me how unique and effective this content is, I am now adding to the blog with my own original patterns that offer something unique in the sewing world. Not only do they content different levels of challenge so you can execute and/or grow as you choose, but I also offer all patterns with and without a seam allowance which is a huge time saver and means you are much more able to create the fit for you.

Wonferfully fitting clothes are a deep passion of mine and I believe that the set of pattterns and services I offer are going to allow you to succeed like no other teacher or resource can.

FROM ADVANCED BEGINNER TO COUTURE

The reason I called my business a challenging sew is that I have always found new goals for myself in different techniques, fabrics and designs and I am passionate about helping others on that journey as well. When you buy a pattern from me or (soon) become a member of our community, you will find challenges from capable beginners all the way through to a Couture standard.

I’m a visual sewer - I like to make samples, to practice and understand each stage thoroughly- and I teach the same way - whether through this blog, my online videos, or online time I spend in small groups or 1-1. We take a slow, collaborative and methodical approach to make sure you are building new skills. I am a big believer in learning through 10% formal learning (my original patterns), 20% coaching (for members or through booking time with me 1-1), or the 70% time learning my doing on your own, with our community to support you and each other.

I hope you will come and join me an the rest of the Challenging Sew community as we learn and grow our skills and live of sewing together!

Leisa.