The Joy of Sewing: An Interview with Pattern Designer Courtney Weston

on how to get started, finding fabric, pattern design, smocking, and sewing as a rhythm of remembrance

When my kids were little, sewing for them was one of my favorite things. I would make pajama pants in novelty prints featuring the animals they loved, dress-up costumes, and clothes in the fabrics and styles we liked most. It felt like so much more than just a hobby. It grounded me in that season of life.

I’m so happy to share this interview with pattern designer Courtney Weston from Rooney Patterns, as she reflects on what sewing has meant to her, how it’s intertwined with motherhood, and the joy she finds in sharing it with others.

Courtney, when my girls were younger, I sewed a new dress for their birthdays every year. So, it was nostalgic to read about your birthday dress tradition for your daughter. Could you tell us more about it?

I’d love to! I didn’t set out to make it a tradition, but five years in, I think it’s safe to call it one.

For my daughter’s first birthday, I wanted to mark the occasion with something handmade. Designing and sewing a birthday dress gave me the chance to slow down and reflect on the past year—God’s kindness over our family and the little girl entrusted to our care. It’s become a rhythm of remembrance. Each year, I set out to make a dress that captures who she is at that age.

How did you begin sewing for her? Did you grow up sewing?

I actually started sewing in college just for fun—mostly upcycling thrifted skirts and dresses. But my mom is a wonderful seamstress, and she modeled creativity and sewing throughout my childhood which gave me confidence to use the sewing machine. I never took a formal lesson but learned through trial and error.

After I had my daughter, I was in a difficult postpartum season, and my husband encouraged me to make something, knowing how much I love creating. I followed a simple sewing pattern one afternoon, and everything shifted. It was a breath of fresh air—something to do with my hands that also gave me space to think, pray, and process. Now I understand why sewing was such an important outlet for my mom too.

I had such a similar experience in my own journey into sewing. As cliché as it sounds, sometimes I say I was stitched back together through this process of making. As moms and women, we are often stretched in so many different directions. We hear a lot about multitasking, but what I really needed was uni-tasking. I remember makers talking about that then. Focusing my hands on a single project helped quiet my mind and created the space to process, just like you described. It was so healing for me.

How would you recommend someone new to sewing get started?

As simple as it sounds: start with cotton fabric (or a thrifted bed sheet!) and practice cutting and sewing a basic straight stitch. Beginner-friendly projects like a pillow, tote bag, or elastic skirt will teach you the fundamentals.

I like to watch videos and read through patterns, much like following a recipe. You’ll get familiar with sewing terms and the order of steps. Don’t be afraid of your seam ripper—it doesn’t mean you failed, you just learned something new. And if it ever feels overwhelming, take a break and come back to it the next day!

A friend once told me that the seam ripper is just part of the process. Even after sewing for two decades, I sometimes still need to use my seam ripper. An interesting podcast, an audiobook, or good music also helps!

I’m always inspired by folks who sew for themselves, and I love that you do! Can you tell us about the birthday dress you made for yourself?

I’ve sewn for myself since college, but it was very off-and-on and never with a pattern. I remember making a skirt for myself and later that same day finding out I was pregnant. Looking back, I think that was the spark that started something new.

After making birthday dresses for my daughter the past five years, I felt a pull to create one for myself this year too. Our birthdays are just a month apart, both at the start of spring, which inspired me to design a custom fabric for our dresses. I chose The Betty Dress Halter pattern—it felt perfect for spring and playful, and was such a joyful way to welcome my 32nd year.

It’s inspiring that you felt that pull and followed it. It’s so easy to press those nudges down or ignore them, but I think we rarely regret trying something new, especially when the desire has been persistent.

I also noticed that you make smocked garments, which are just beautiful. I’d love to hear more about smocking. What drew you to it, and how did you get started?

I learned smocking from my mom—she added smocked details to so many of the dresses she made for me as a child. Now, looking at those tiny, thoughtful stitches, I’m in awe.

Smocking is a technique where you gather rows of pleats and embroider over the top to hold them in place. The embroidery can be really simple or incredibly detailed, even forming pictures or text. I’ve had so much fun learning this craft and have added smocking to every birthday dress I’ve made for my daughter.

You can add smocking in so many creative ways to a garment, like on a sleeve, collar, or bodice. It’s been such a fun and rewarding technique to explore. I’m actually working on some smocking resources right now so others can learn and enjoy it too!

It’s so wonderful that you’re creating resources to help others learn smocking. Some of these handcrafts feel endangered in a way. For example, I’ve never met anyone else who knows how to smock garments. Preserving skills like this one feels more important than ever, so they aren’t lost.

Part of what makes sewing so special is that every element is chosen with care, from the heart of the maker. And choosing fabric is one of the most important parts of that process. Do you have any favorite fabric shops or go-to places for sourcing fabric?

I love shopping from Blackbird Fabrics, I See Fabric, Mood Fabrics, Merely Susan Fabrics, and browsing Etsy for special finds. My favorite fabrics are linen and cotton voile. I also love finding small fabric shops when we travel—bringing home fabric as a souvenir is one of my favorite things.

Whether you start with a pattern or a fabric you love, the two go hand in hand and I love that you’ve created patterns that help bring those projects to life. Can you tell us more about your designs?

Once I experienced what it felt like to make something meaningful for my daughter using a sewing pattern, I wanted to offer that same experience to other women.

Through my shop, Rooney Sewing Patterns, I design patterns that are both practical and beautiful—for women and children. My hope is to create pieces that feel classic yet carefree, and that give women the confidence to create with their hands. I work with a wonderful pattern drafter to bring my designs to life.

That confidence is so important. Many commercial patterns were created assuming a certain level of “pattern literacy,” if I can call it that, that isn’t as common anymore. When I first tried using those patterns as a beginner, I felt so defeated. It was independent pattern designers who truly taught me how to sew, pattern by pattern, garment by garment.

Outside of sewing, what’s been making you come alive lately?

I started my first garden this year and it’s brought me so much joy—even before anything has bloomed! I’m always amazed by how having multiple creative outlets fuels new ideas. I am also enjoying the pace of slow summer days and being outside.

Anything else you’d like to share from your heart?

I’ve been asked before: “Why spend time making something your daughter might not appreciate?” or “Why invest in materials and hours of work when you could just buy a dress?”

A few months ago, my mom gave me a box of dresses she’d made for me as a child—stored away for 25 years. As I opened it, memories came rushing back. Now, at 32, I deeply cherish each piece and the time and love stitched into them. I know I didn’t fully appreciate them back then—but that wasn’t why she made them. She did it out of love, because it brought her joy.

Creating these dresses now connects me to that same joy. I don’t make them to be appreciated; I make them because they bring me to life. They help me connect with my Heavenly Father and reflect on the beauty of the everyday. Dreaming up all the little details is a delight—and that’s more than enough reason to keep making.

Another Interview about Sewing:

An Interview with Pattern Designer Rae Hoekstra

My Other Interviews in the Series