Spend some time in the studio with Ron Collins!  Ron first began teaching at the workroom in 2023 and we have looked forward to his twice yearly visits since then.  Ron is Canada’s best known sewing personality and is adored as a designer, speaker and teacher. He is the first male Canadian Designer to have his own line of patterns with Vogue Patterns, which premiered in 2017.

What's your earliest memory of making something with your hands?

A teddy bear for my little sister made from terrycloth. The pattern was traced out of a sewing book which I found at our town library. The patterns were all designed around it being your first sewing project. I recall it only having two pieces…front and back which I stuffed with scrap pieces of fabric from Mom’s stash. Somehow the teddy bear found its way outside, which ended up to be our dog’s favourite toy…which he chewed into a million pieces.

If you had to describe your design style in three words, what would they be?

Detailed, colourful and sharp.

What’s one unconventional tool or supply you swear by in your practice?

I keep a hammer in my sewing room. Hammer for rivets, grommets, eyelets, snaps and heavy seams when making jeans and jean jackets. When hammering denim, I first hammer the seam when it is still flat from the wrong side after the seam has been sewed. After pressing the seam flat or to one side then I hammer it from the right side, covering the seam with a piece of scrap fabric to prevent shine.

What’s a sewing rule you love to break—and why?

Cutting fabric on the cross grain. Boarder prints are designed to be cut on the crosswise grain. I don’t hesitate on doing the same when running short on fabric, or when I am feeling creative. I made a pin striped suit where half the jacket is on the straight of grain and half on the cross grain. Also cutting plaid/check/gingham on the bias for collars, cuffs and yokes, stabilizing the pattern pieces with interfacing to prevent them from stretching out.

Tell us about a “happy accident” in your work—something that went wrong but turned into something amazing.

Elbow patches…great way to cover up the big hole that your serger took out of your sleeve when serging the underarm seam.

What’s one thing students always say after taking your class?

The enjoyment in getting inspired.

If you could design a dream project with unlimited resources, what would it be?

A mega sewing room…equipped with tons of natural light, storage, large sewing and cutting area. Definitely including a washer and dryer, kitchen area for fabric dyeing and yes, a wine fridge….cheers!

What’s your best advice for someone feeling stuck or intimidated by the creative process?

Getting advice from other sewing students, and there is so much on line for inspiration. I keep a file of pictures of details that I see that I might not use right away, but always great to have on hand.

If you could collaborate with any designer, artist, or historical figure (alive or not), who would it be and why?

Maybe not a specific person, but the opportunity to work in a high end men’s Bespoke clothing store making custom garments for clients.

What’s one thing about you that most people wouldn’t expect?

I like to eat pickles with my chocolate brownies. It has something to do with the sweet and sour. Sounds weird, give it a try…you might just like it!

You’re known for your expert tailoring and construction techniques—what’s one sewing technique that every maker should master, no matter their skill level?

The treatment of the seam once it has been sewed. Pressing, trimming, grading and notching seam allowances. I spend more time working on a seam once it has been sewed than actually sewing the seam.

You’ve spent years refining garment fit and construction—what’s one common mistake you see people make when sewing clothing, and how can they fix it?

Using the wrong interfacing. With so many on the market and some not being the best it is an easy mistake to be made. My favourite interfacing for shirts is “Sewers Dream” plus it is pre-washed for shrinkages.  If you’re getting bubbling when fusing your interfacing onto your garment pieces, one of two things is wrong … iron too hot or interfacing it not pre-shrunk. To prepare your interfacing, soak the interfacing in hot water for 5 minutes, do not agitate, drain off the water, squeeze out the excess water (do not wring) and lay flat to dry.  Always do a test swatch before applying to your garment pieces.

Always prewash your fabric and interfacing, or the result is re-cutting your pieces.

Shop Ron's Studio Staples, like Sewer's Dream and Steam a Seam here. 

Join Ron in April for a workshop at the workroom! 

There is still space in the following workshops in Toronto: