Linda Topf’s well-dressed dolls were always the envy of all her friends.
“I got my first little sewing machine when I was six and made clothes for my Barbies and Trolls. When I got into junior high school and high school, I took all of the sewing classes I could and made my own clothes. I’ve taken and taught sewing classes whenever I could ever since,” she said.
When her fabric and supplies overflowed her sewing room at home, she decided to open a business to share her expertise and enthusiasm. Vernon Fashion Studio has been open in the Alpine Centre since January with sewing classes for all ages, custom sewing and pattern making, wardrobe consulting and alterations. Topf also has a small collection of her own designs available.
“I think everybody needs to learn to sew, to do buttons and hems if nothing else. I think shows like Project Runway have made people aware of how they can use their own creativity to express themselves through clothes,” said Topf, originally from the U.S., who moved to Vernon with her husband Mike Topf, who grew up in Vernon, in 2005.
In her beginning sewing classes, students learn how to make a pair of pyjama pants (sewing machines provided); in intermediate classes, students learn more sewing techniques to work on a piece of clothing of their choice. She also offers one-on-one classes and mother-daughter classes.
Topf likes the open or PIG (Projects In Grocery sacks) where people bring in whatever is in the back of the closet that they would like to finish.
“I think the strangest thing anyone ever brought was a box of neckties she wanted to make into skirts and vests. There is a renewed interest in sewing now because people might not be buying as many new clothes and they want to know how to make their own clothes or restyle what they have,” she said.
“I do closet make-overs where I go in and help women sort through the good stuff and get rid of the bad stuff, which can be really hard for some people, but you feel better once it is done.”
Topf’s love of sewing seems to be catching. Her son sewed his own and his groomsmen’s outfits for his medieval-theme wedding and her husband is in one of her sewing classes.
“Children can start to learn to sew about age eight, although some of them have the motor skills to do it younger. And, of course, you can learn later if you missed it in school or at home. Sewing is something you can do all your life. People find it can be a very relaxing change from work,” said Topf.
She admits to being obsessed with fabric.
“When I see a new piece, I wonder what I can do with it, how I can make it look its best, what pattern will work with it. There are so many possibilities. I get ideas and inspiration everywhere – from magazines, clothing I’ve loved in the past, places I’ve lived, like Spain and Japan, the colours and architectural details. You can never have too much fabric.”
She is working on her Red Boa Design original pieces for fall, centering on a detailed black tunic with coordinating pieces.
Vernon Fashion Studio is set up with a classroom, a workroom, and a sewing-themed mini-museum with vintage sewing machines, one that belonged to Topf’s mother, and sewing supplies.
Topf has classes ongoing and is planning one-day and longer summer camps for all ages on beginner sewing, quilting and fashion accessories.
“I’m doing things I like to do and I hope other people will like them, too. People tell me that when they take the classes, they concentrate on what they are doing and forget everything else and come away refreshed because they’ve had that time for themselves. That’s just how I feel about everything to do with sewing.”
