Episode 141 - Catherine Holbrook - Bringing Sewing Back
What happens when a 26-year-old searches Google for a hobby and discovers sewing? For Catherine Holbrook, it led to a creative journey that transformed her life. In this episode, Catherine shares how she taught herself to sew after moving to North Carolina, beginning with thrift-store refashioning projects before growing into a respected garment maker, pattern designer, Bernina Ambassador, and social media influencer.
Catherine discusses her years designing patterns for Styla Patterns, the technical process of pattern grading, and her unique approach to creating elaborate ball gowns twice a year with direct input from her online audience. Her followers vote on design decisions, turning each gown into an interactive creative experience that has become a hallmark of her brand.
The conversation also explores Catherine’s growing interest in quilting, inspired in part by unfinished quilts left behind by her husband’s grandmother. She reflects on the differences between garment sewing and quilting, the joy of learning new skills, and her hope of finishing family heirloom projects to carry on a meaningful legacy.
Throughout the episode, Catherine shares stories about teaching her daughter Hattie to sew, balancing creativity with family life, growing an authentic social media community, and how her faith influences her passion for refashioning garments and finding beauty in unexpected places. Ultimately, Catherine reminds listeners that sewing is about far more than fabric and thread—it’s about creativity, connection, legacy, and creating something lasting in a world where so much is temporary.
Episode Notes:
On this episode of Sew & So, we welcome Catherine Holbrook—garment sewist, Bernina Ambassador, former pattern designer, and the creative force behind Bringing Sewing Back. What began as a simple search for a hobby evolved into a thriving creative career built on garment sewing, thrift-store refashioning, pattern design, and a highly engaged online community. Catherine shares her journey from sewing beginner to industry influencer, discusses her audience-designed ball gowns, reflects on teaching her daughter to sew, and explains why sewing continues to be a source of creativity, purpose, and connection in her life.
(2:18) Hear the story about Juniper Joy!
(3:13) How did Catherine start sewing at age 26? Who was her inspiration?
(5:52) How’s Haddie doing learning to sew?
(7:36) Catherine started sewing through refashioning cloths. She explains what this is, how she does it and talks about the first garment she refashioned.
(10:20) Does she still refashion?
(11:18) How did she start working for Styla Patterns and what does it take to design patterns
(14:01) Catherine creates ballgowns twice a year with 50% participation from her Instagram followers. She tells us how this works.
(15:57) What are the big events she designs these gowns for?
(19:02) Catherine talks about her social media audience and what she’s done to successfully grow it. She credits authenticity.
(21:22) She shares a few special stories about interacting with her audience
(22:18) Learn about her mother-in-law’s quilts and why they are so very special to her.
(23:05) Why does she think that quilting is so different that quilting?
(25:00) Catherine introduces us to her family
(27:20) She is a woman of faith…how does this drive and affect her work?
(28:55) What’s next for her and what’s her dream?
(29:58) Is there anything we didn’t ask that she wanted us to? Well – yes there was! Hear her thoughtful response.
(31:39) You can reach out the Catherine on Instagram @bringingsewingback or email her at Bringingsewingback@gmail.com
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Key Words: Catherine Holbrook, Bringing Sewing Back, Sew & So Podcast, garment sewing, refashioning clothes, thrift store fashion, sustainable sewing, Bernina Ambassador, Styla Patterns, pattern design, pattern grading, Adobe Illustrator, sewing influencer, sewing community, social media sewing, audience participation, ball gown sewing, handmade fashion, dressmaking, garment maker, quilting journey, unfinished quilts, sewing legacy, teaching children to sew, sewing and motherhood, creative entrepreneurship, Kentucky sewist, Richmond Kentucky, sewing inspiration, sewing creativity, DIY fashion, sewing education, women in sewing, handmade wardrobe, sewing tips, sewing stories, family and sewing, sewing faith, sewing community connection.