I have an incredible pattern collection at home. Throughout college I managed a local Hancock Fabrics store, so I unfortunately became somewhat of a pattern hoarder, so to speak. When I got the invitation from Simplicity to come tour the offices and see how their patterns were made, I jumped at the opportunity. The amount of work and thoughtfulness that goes into each one of those envelopes is astounding, as their production begins more than a year before they debut at the stores.

Amazingly, Simplicity granted me access to their trend boards, sketches, and sample making rooms, allowing me to photograph one pattern’s journey through the production line. Read on to learn how a Simplicity pattern is made…