Meet Kathy Caudill

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kathy Caudill. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kathy below.

Hi Kathy, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I often say that I sometimes feel like a small fish in a great big ocean trying to get a bite of something, anything! Being new to a skill or a community can be a scary place. One thing that has helped me fight imposter syndrome and any doubts that may arise regarding my skills or accomplishments is remembering to just be myself and not try to copy anyone else. There are so many different skill levels of sewists and designers, and not everyone likes the same style. People join me on this journey because I bring something that they like or value. Settling into my own in terms of what my style and design is and how I want to build relationships within the sewing community has helped me gain a lot of confidence. And interacting with people in my makers group and at in-person classes has really increased my sense that I’m working and building my business in a way that is exactly how I hoped it would be.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Creating sewing patterns that are not only beginner friendly, but also provide options for the more experienced sewist to be able to make the pattern their own is what I love doing. I view my patterns as a starting off point. If you are newer to sewing, you will be able to finish a beautiful item by the end of the pattern. And, I offer help through my video tutorials and makers group if you ever get stuck. And a more experience sewist will be able to take the bones of the pattern and let their creativity fly! Seeing what people create with my patterns is the most exciting part for me.

I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to grow my brand in new ways over the last year. One big step out of my comfort zone was teaching in-person sewing classes with my patterns at sewing expos around the country. I’m also participating in a sewing project box where everything you will need to make the pattern is included in the box. This is a pattern that I designed exclusively for the box and will be a limited release coming this September (2023). I’m planning to continue to offer in-person classes at different events in the future, hopefully attend some different retreats and expos, and continue to work on exciting collaborations with other amazing makers.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One thing that I have found to be most helpful in my pattern designing is to not be afraid to fail. There is a lot of learning that happens from failure. And often times failure leads to a masterpiece. Also, don’t feel like you have to be an expert in all things. Find what you are good at and love and develop that. Just because someone else seems to do everything, doesn’t mean you have to in order to be successful. Also, become friends with other makers and designers or individuals in your field or area of interest. You can learn a lot from their experience and bounce ideas off of each other. Find good people to surround yourself with. Find people that want you to succeed.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m always looking for ways and opportunities to expand and connect with other amazing makers and creatives. I am interested in collaboration opportunities with individuals who have a passion for creating, who are fun, and who want others to succeed just as much as they do themselves. Community over competition is my motto. Even if you are in another creative art but are looking for fun ways to bring our offerings together, I’m interested in connecting with you. If you have an idea for a possible collaboration, please email me directly at [email protected].

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Kathy Caudill, Ellie Caudill, Jessica VanDenBurgh

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