Cal Patch
Cal Patch (she/her) has been making, designing and teaching all things textile-related since 1991. She sews, crochets, embroiders, spins, prints, knits, dyes, and more, and loves to combine and layer techniques when possible, hence the original name of her label *hodge podge*. She designed clothing in NYC for Urban Outfitters, Free People, Gap, and Old Navy before developing her own line of one-off pieces. After owning a boutique for four years, which showcased her own and other local indie designers’ work, she opened one of the nation’s first craft schools in 2002. She has contributed to books and magazines such as Stitch N’ Bitch: The Happy Hooker, Mend It Better, Applique Your Way, Made by Hand, Crochet Today and Sew Stylish. In 2009 Cal relocated to upstate New York where she is becoming a crafty farmer and growing her handmade wardrobe. She offers classes in pattern drafting, garment sewing, crochet and other fiber arts in the Hudson Valley, and travels to teach at retreats and events like A Gathering of Stitches, Snowfarm and Harrisville Designs, and now offers online workshops via Creativebug. Her first book, Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified, was published by Potter Craft. You can see what she’s up to at https://calpatch.com.