Sewists seeking stylish, fashion-forward sewing patterns will most likely have spotted the cute ruffled dresses over on instagram from popular Australian pattern brand Veronica Tucker. A namesake business endeavour for former fashion designer and Melbourne-based creative Veronica Tucker, this pattern brand is one to watch! We love Veronica's passion for knowledge sharing and the creative way she uses her platform to educate sewing enthusiasts on the significance of making mindful fashion choices. Each sewing pattern is a testament to Veronica's dedication to creating thoughtful and enduring fashion pieces. We recommend trying out the highly-praised Odette Dress, downloading Veronica's nostalgic Paper Doll and sewing yourself a summery version of the free Noelle Dress! Read on as we chat to Veronica about her sewing journey to date, plus projects past and present.

I’m Veronica! I’m an ex-womenswear designer, Melbourne-based sewing pattern designer and mother of two little ones. I make twirly, comfortable, feminine, size-inclusive sewing pattern designs for the home sewist.

Having my mum make costumes for me for Book Week, reversible jackets and pretty dresses was probably the initial introduction I had into sewing. Once I knew I could ask for exactly what I had imagined in my mind and have it come to life, it felt like the best superpower!

I started properly sewing in my high school textiles lessons and haven’t stopped since.

Having an idea and making it come to life exactly as I imagine. It feels like complete control and joy to me.

I think being a size 14, 5’9 girl with broad shoulders, I never found things I wanted to wear in the typical teenager shops. I always found myself going for more classic designs, conservative lengths, more roomy fits and more flowy silhouettes - which was the total opposite of what was popular at the time. So having the power to create exactly what I love is joy for me.

I was working in the fashion industry as a womenswear designer and got tired of being part of the fast-fashion machine after learning more about it. I decided to make clothes for friends and a client here or there, then decided to go full time into my brand in February 2020.

In hindsight, probably not the best timing, but it also worked out how it was meant to. I then became pregnant with our first (long awaited) child and was manufacturing locally at the time.

Once things got a bit difficult in that area, I had to go back to part time work to make more money. I re-entered the industry as a Garment Technician for six months and during that time I released my first sewing pattern (The Freya). Luckily enough that pattern took off and I was able to return to my brand full time and since then have released 5 more patterns.

My son will be heading to kindergarten next year, so even to just have the time to think and plan some long term goals will be fantastic!

My husband and I both really want to go travelling again. Prior to having our two kids we travelled a lot, so we’d love to head back to Europe next year and I’d love to meet with some of my UK stockists while we’re there (Fabric Godmother and The Fold Line).

I was making a mother of the bride dress for a family member and the hem was just not sitting right. I knew it was going to take me a long time to fix it (undo the stitching, cut a seperate hem, hand sew braiding for stability, hand blind stitch the hem VERY delicately). But I did it, I took my time and made sure to do it perfectly and it was so worth it.

So just take your time and remember there’s no rush (even if there is!)

That everything can be fixed! And that you should just try and do it properly in the first place because if you rush and do it wrong, it’s going to take twice as long to fix it anyway. Also, don’t waste beautiful fabric.

Loop turner! Magnetic pin bracelet. Really malleable measuring tape. Pattern making awl. A dress form that’s your size.

My wedding dress.

It is the garment that means the most to me and the one I’ve spent the most time and energy on. I built my wedding dress onto a strapless bra for total support but also because I’m not great at corsetry and I can admit that. It has a strapless Duchess satin dress with a fully glass-beaded, scalloped lace overlay with long sleeves and a godet train.

I hand sewed the scalloping around the entire hem and I’m pretty sure the tips of my fingers were destroyed after that but it was so worth it! I also made my veil which included a beautiful piece of hand made Carrickmacross lace. And I made a hand bind for our Celtic handfasting ceremony in which I hand sewed pieces of important garments from our grandparents (pieces of my nana’s wedding dress, my Chinese grandmother’s cheongsam, my husband’s nana’s handkerchief and his grandfather’s bowls uniform). It was very very special.

Learn how to do basic patternmaking techniques (slashing and opening, shortening, lengthening, creating gathered panels, dropping sleeves etc - I have a bunch of free tutorials on my instagram) and then buy patterns that will also serve as good blocks (base patterns) - like mine! Then once you’re comfortable with your pattern, create your own designs and use the patterns as a base!

That we put SO much time and effort into creating these documents.

It’s easy to buy and download a file and not think too much of it because it’s just a bunch of lines and words, but there is so much thought and time and energy that goes into the curve of that armhole or the illustration showing you how to attach that panel to that seam etc.

Generations of women who have sewn and created beautiful garments out of necessity and out of love. Who have crafted garments, added monograms, stitched notes into places that will never be seen for people they love. I think it’s just the most beautiful, pure, tactile way of showing love and care for someone. To create a tangible expression of your love for them.

I’d love to use this beautiful Pink Salt Hemp to make an Odette Dress. It would fall so beautifully on the bias grain. I’d love this linen/cotton in a basic, sleeveless Audrey shape. Such a pretty butter yellow! It’d be the perfect summer dress. I love a ditsy floral and this linen print would be so pretty in a flow Hazel dress. I also love a textured, plisse fabric and this one is beautiful! Polka dots are always a favourite and this one is so elegant and classic.

‘What They Didn’t Teach You In Fashion School’ by Jay Calderin is a great resource for understanding what it takes to build a business and what it’s like to work in the industry.

Fashionpedia by FASHIONARY is incredible! Such a great resource, especially for learning more about fabric manufacturing and different fibres.

Anything by Kasia St Clair. I love The Golden Thread and The Secret Lives of Colour are incredible!

The Cutting Room Floor podcast is fantastic for industry insights and I love Offline the Podcast and Process the Podcast for interviews with incredible business owners.

A very warm thank you to Veronica for chatting with us this week! Read our reviews of Veronica's Freya Dress and Odette Dress here on the blog.

We hope you've enjoyed this Friends of TFS interview, head over and follow Veronica over on Instagram for all things Veronica Tucker The Label!