Katrina Kay Creations

Create Clothes That Fit Your Curves

About

Here’s what I want for you:

  • I want you to spend more time sewing, less time altering patterns.
  • I want you to spend more time creating, less time fixing.
  • I want you to make clothes that fit your curves and the way you live.
  • I want you to be independent of the limited selection available (for real women with real curves) in ready-to-wear clothing and in commercial patterns.

And when you do find something off-the-rack, I want to show you how to make it fit your body so you can wear it feeling comfortable and confident.

By the way, I’m Katrina Kellam. Welcome to Katrina Kay Creations. I have a passion for helping women get to a place where they don’t have to DEPEND on retailers or commercial pattern companies for clothes that fit their curves.

I’m really glad you stopped by and here’s what else I want you to know:

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t look and feel good in your clothes, regardless of your size and shape.

My goal is to teach you how to get the results you desire from your sewing – clothes that fit your body without the fuss of complicated pattern alterations.  I also want to teach you how to take the store-bought clothes already in your closet, whose fit you’re not totally satisfied with, and make them fit like they were custom-made for you.

Who am I to do this?  I’m someone who has sewn for others for years, but never wanted to sew for myself because I knew my body wasn’t an “average” size.  And because I knew this, I also knew whatever I made for myself from commercial patterns would require many, many alterations before I could actually sew it and wear it.

If you’ve ever felt this way, then you really are in the right place. 

On a less serious note, I know you really don’t want to know that I have an Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree in fashion or that I worked in the fashion industry for 10 years as a patternmaker. I mean, who cares? Right? Well, then I won’t tell you any of those things. Get it? Okay, moving on…

If this is your first time here, then you can start right here. You’ll be able to see at a glance what kind of information I’ve created for you. And if you want to introduce yourself in the comments, I’d love to meet you.

Thanks again for stopping by!

 

 

 

Comments

  1. Vikki says

    You are my new favorite person! Thank you so much for making all of your instructions easy to follow, and for catering to those of us who are more curvy!

    • Katrina says

      You’re welcome, Vikki. I’m so glad you find the instructions easy to follow. I love catering to curvy women, especially since I’m one myself. I appreciate your comment.

  2. Visitor says

    I’m not plus-sized, but modifying the pattern and sewing a practice garment (or two) always takes longer than the sewing. It’s part of the process.

    • Katrina says

      It definitely is part of the process. I’m an advocate for the process because, of course, no pattern is going to fit perfectly without some type of modifying. But there’s a difference between modification and major alteration. Not all patterns that are available in plus sizes are made to fit women with curves. I know this because I used to work in the commercial pattern industry. Their patterns were tested on a size 10 Miss fit model and graded up to plus sizes. Those proportions do not work for a plus size body, therefore major alterations that could otherwise be avoided are required.

  3. Candy Long says

    I found my way to your blog this morning and just wanted to say thank you! I moved to South Africa 7 years ago and finding plus-size clothes that fit properly can sometimes be a challenge. When my daughter came from the US to visit in April, I asked her to bring some dress patterns for me so that I could make my own clothes. My biggest concern has been making things that ‘looked” homemade, so when I read your post about 10 mistakes people make when sewing and how to not make them, I knew I came to the right place. I know I’ll visit your site often for guidance! Thank you so much!

    • Katrina says

      You’re very welcome, Candy. I’m glad to be of help. I wish you the best in all of your sewing endeavors. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

  4. brenda says

    Hi my name is Brenda and I love sewing. Fashion designing for plus size is my dream. I want to start my line and need help with patterns.

    • Katrina says

      Hi Brenda, a good book to use to learn to make patterns is Patternmaking Made Easy, 3rd Edition. You can find it here: http://bit.ly/1AtqBdH. It’s an investment but you will use it as a reference for years to come. I have the 2nd edition and I use it all the time.

      I’ll be posting some patternmaking tutorials in the future, so stay tuned.

      Thanks for stopping by and I wish you the best with your plus size line. Your dream can definitely become a reality.

    • Katrina says

      Icie, I haven’t been doing tutorials on alterations but I been thinking about doing some. I’m glad to see someone is interested. Thanks for commenting.

  6. Curtis Hazell says

    I searched for a tutorial on how to make a pleated neckline pattern and came across your tutorial on how to make a pleated skirt – the pleats going in a horizontal direction. Your instructions are so simple a child could understand. I have my pattern all done, just to cut the fabric and sew. Where do I find part 2 to complete the skirt? And do you have a tutorial on how to make a pleated neckline pattern? Liked and Love your page on facebook!

    • Katrina says

      Unfortunately Curtis, I had some fitting problems with the skirt which had nothing to do with the pleats, so I put it aside. It was really working my nerves. But I haven’t forgotten it though. As soon as I get the fit right, I’ll do part 2.

      I don’t have a tutorial on making a pleated neckline, but will definitely add it to my to-do list. Thank you so much for all of your support.

      • Curtis Hazell says

        I completed my pleated skirt and I’m so satisfied! I used the little knowledge I have in sewing to finish it. I emailed you a pic.

        • Katrina says

          I got your email, Curtis. I’m going to share it on Facebook on Tuesday, June 23rd after 6:30. Thanks for the pic. You did a great job!

  7. Elsa says

    Hi I just found my way to your blog today. My daughter is getting married next year. It brought out my desire to become a pattern maker. Many thanks for allowing me the privilege to share your community blog and knowledge.

  8. susan balagat says

    i find you more inspiring ma’am. i’m a sewer for 10 yrs and now i’m 54 still active on the career i’ve been through but unfortunately pattern making is the thing i missed. i acquired sewing through expirience have no formal education that’s why i want to learn pattern making so i could still be efficient st thid age of mine. i hope that you could help me ma’am . thank you.

    • Katrina says

      Hi Susan, welcome to my blog. I hope you’re finding information you can use. I hope to post many patternmaking tutorials as well as offer both free and paid patternmaking courses next year. So please come back and visit whenever you get a chance.

      In the meantime, if you have any questions, let me know.

      Thanks for commenting,

      Katrina

  9. Kelly says

    Hello katrina, I just found your blog and youtube site. What I have seen have been informative and very useful. I will be reading and hopefully learning more from you.

    • Katrina says

      Hi Kelly, welcome! I’m glad you’ve found useful information on my blog. Thank you so much for reading.

  10. Lois says

    Katrina,

    You are a great find, as a new sewist i didn’t know what or where to start alternating a store brought pattern.

    Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    • Katrina says

      Thank you, Lois. I’m glad my blog is a help to you. I’ll be adding another blog post soon, so stay tuned.

  11. marva says

    Very dear Katrina thank you for your generous spirit to help us. Having dealt with dress size issues from size 34. To present 20 22
    Or less I appreciate the blessing of a garment that Reilly fits. It’s rAre and far between. I sew some but not at your level.still thank you for sharing… marva

    • Katrina says

      You’re welcome Marva. I love sharing what I’ve learned to help others avoid some of the frustrations I’ve run into. I’m glad to help. Thank you for your kind words.

    • Katrina says

      I’m glad you’re enjoying it, Joy. The best advice I received before I started my blog was “Don’t wait for everything to be perfect.” Start where you are, use what you have and do what you can.

      • joy workman says

        thank you ,, I sure will… I think i will start by sharing some of my experiences on this site , hope that is ok

        • Katrina says

          It’s good that you feel comfortable sharing here. I wanted this blog to be a place where we could share without criticism, judgment or lack of understanding.

          • joy workman says

            my recent work will be a while , my phone camera not working to well; Is it ok to show some past work.

          • Katrina says

            The Sewing Curve is the perfect place to share pictures of your work, past or present. We would love to see it all.

  13. Michele Lewin says

    I have just found you! I am so excited! I will be bookmarking your page and have joined your facebook group. Thanks for being here.

  14. Mary says

    Thanks for mentioning your respiratory problems. I am not a big sewer but around Christmas time, I spent a long!! evening making Christmas stockings for the whole family. The next morning I had a heavily congested chest. I could be just a virus, but I was suspicious about the sewing link. Who know where the fabrics come from and what chemicals are on them and they were pretty loose fabrics that generated fragments that I could see around the needle. I have a few more to make and have been afraid. But I think I will wear a mask and get on with it. Do you wear a basic mask or something special. Thanks!!

    • Katrina says

      That’s exactly how my chest feels when I don’t wear a mask, Mary. I wear a basic mask. There are 5 in a pack and I get them from Home Depot. I would imagine any hardware type store would carry them. I don’t experience any congestion when I wear them and I wear them for cutting and sewing fabric.

  15. Milita Perez says

    So happy to find your site. It has so much information I need — some of which I didn’t know I needed til I saw it here (short waistband). 🙂

    I will be a “regular” here! Thanks.

  16. Carol says

    Just found your blog after trying to find a solution to a pants fitting problem. Your video is concise and very easy to follow. I learn best visually and so your instructions are a treasure. I am going to explore your site to find out what else I can learn. Thank You!

    • Katrina says

      You’re welcome Carol and welcome to KKC! I’m glad the pants video was helpful. If there’s something you don’t see that you’d like to, let me know.

  17. Margie says

    Hi Katrina,
    Thank you for your blog. I am so very frustrated because I want to sew and have read alot. I just do not know how to alter my pattern. Nothing ever fits and I really try hard. I am 5 feet but I weigh 140 lbs so a most patterns will not fit me. Any suggestions.

    • Katrina says

      Hi Margie,
      Have you ever tried Fashion Patterns by Coni? Here’s the link http://bit.ly/15Wjdc7. The reason I suggest her patterns is because they’re made for plus size women, using a plus size model. The main pattern companies use a size 10 model and add the other sizes based on a size 10 body. You will probably still have to make some adjustments but hopefully they won’t be major.

      Her patterns also come in sizes XS-XL and XXL-6X so if you need to use one size for your upper body and another for your lower body, you have a wide range of options.

      Coni’s patterns are pretty basic so you can use them to create your own styles. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any petite sizes for us women who are under 5’4″ so you will still have some length adjustments to make.

      I hope this helps.

  18. Jana says

    Hello Katrina!
    Thank you so much for your blog! You inspire me and encourage me to return to self sewing.
    When younger, I didn’t have too much problem making sewing patterns fit, here and there.
    But my body has changed over the years, and is now pretty lumpy here and there.
    What fits my voluptuous upper body, will not fit my skinny lower body. sigh
    I look forward to the more ideas, suggestions and tutorials from you.
    Many Blessings!
    Jana

    • Katrina says

      Hi Jana, welcome! I’m glad to hear that you’ll be sewing for yourself again. 🙂 My upper body & lower body are 2 different sizes as well, which makes buying a suit or set a bit challenging.

      I look forward to sharing more tutorials that will help you make clothes to fit your curves with as little frustration and as much fun as possible.

    • Katrina says

      Oh wow, a fellow Del-State alumni! It’s a small world, Tanya.

      Retreats? I’m going to have to put a pin in that for the future. I don’t have any in-person classes planned but I’m in the planning stages for some online classes for next year. I will definitely let you know. Thanks for asking.

  20. Sarah says

    Hi, thank you for your blog! I learned how to sew in self-defense because i don’t have standard proportions. I always had to alter ready-made. I’m finally ready to take the next step and design my own patterns, looking forward to learning from you!

    • Katrina says

      You’re welcome Sarah! Let me know if you have anything you’d like to see covered on my blog.

  21. Debbie Del Fierro says

    Hi ms katrina. I have an alteration shop and a tailoring. I desifn and cut
    For clients. I would like to get aome tips on how make
    A peefecr pattern for plus sze women . Thanks