Brit is a multi-passionate maker and lover of exploring all things new and exciting. And she is marvelous, in a charming way.
Itโs fascinating to me how every designer has a style that becomes quickly obvious when you start scrolling down to see their images.
I ran across Brit’ Ig page one year ago and found a lover exploring color and the sweetest designer.
I had the pleasure of test knit for her the Afterglow last year and, I have to admit, I am a huge fan of her knit designs!
Brit also has a blog called “The marvelous Mrs. Maker” for handmade wardrobe planning and styling tips, pattern reviews, and knitting tutorials. Go and take a look at her unique way of looking at colors!
I recently interviewed her for my blog, and here are her answers:
1. Could you introduce yourself to all my readers?
Hey there! I’m Brit, the maker behind The Marvelous Mrs. Maker! I’m a mama bear to two free-spirited kiddos, wife to a fellow entrepreneurial-spirit I like to call my #husbeast, and a devoted fiber enthusiast! I design knitwear patterns for ‘finished-object-driven’ makers who want wearable knits with a classic silhouette and a modern-vintage vibe! When I’m not playing with yarn, you can find me traveling – with and without my family, exploring the great outdoors – often in my knits, and basically trying new things whenever and wherever I can!
2. What inspired you to start your adventure as a knit designer?
Like many designers, test knitting really opened my eyes to the possibility of being a knit designer, but actually starting this journey was really the result of a series of events that began when I became a mom. When I became a mom, a switch in me flipped, and I had the instant desire to find a way to work from home so that I could be home with my family and travel more often. This started a 5-year journey of downsizing our family’s belongings, of working odd jobs and gigs (which I believe equipped me with the skills necessary to run a business), and of trying, failing, and trying again.
Knit design happened to present itself at a time when I was primed and ready to start a business, AND when I was a part of a huge Color & Style Community that had piqued my interest in fashion design. As a person who values comfort and practicality, drafting my own garments has allowed me to combine comfort and style. I figured that I couldn’t be the only one looking for comfy and cute knitwear, so that’s when I decided to write my patterns for everyone to enjoy!
3. What is your favorite part about design patterns?
My favorite part about designing is the problem solving that comes along with it! Oftentimes I start with a general silhouette I want to achieve, and then I reverse engineer the fine details from there, the sky’s the limit when it comes to detail. Then the problem solving begins, and this is where my heart really sings. I need to figure out exactly what techniques need to be used and where in order for the resulting item to resemble my sketch. Sometimes this doesn’t happen at first glance and I have to work through a particular part of a pattern and experiment with it to get the result that I want. Being able to get these little details just perfect is a challenge, and I love that moment when I get them just right.
4. Your designs are so original! How do you come up with all these new ideas?
Ultimately, I design what I want to wear! I have a Pinterest board devoted to my Style Essence and another devoted to random knitspiration, and from those boards, I grab key elements of construction or design that I love. Classic silhouettes with preppy details are some of my favorites to work with, and you’ll see them repeated throughout my boards.
From there I try to fill holes in my wardrobe! My wardrobe didn’t have a lot of summery tops, so I drafted my Spring/Summer 2021 collection! I’ve been noticing recently that I don’t have as many cardi’s with a romantic, vintage vibe as I would like, so you may see a few of those layering pieces this fall and winter!
5. Do you have a favorite pattern of yours?
Every new pattern I make is my favorite pattern! But if I had to choose just one, it would be Darmody. It was my first garment design, and I learned SO much about *my* design process through it! I love the way that it turned out, and it gave me a confidence boost to pursue knit design more seriously. And it got me in -Knitting: The Card Game- which I maintain is the coolest thing to happen to me as a knitwear designer!
6. How did you get to be interested in color, and what spurred you to do it?
My love of color began when my daughter was born and I began babywearing. Many of the women in my babywearing group were also into personal color analysis – the process by which one finds their perfect colors. My fellow babywearing mamas used their perfect colors to inform their wrap decisions and of course, I wanted to find out *my* perfect colors so that I could subsequently pick the perfect wraps! I had a Personal Color Analysis in 2016, and I’ve stuck pretty close to that color palette in making wardrobe decisions.
7. What’s your source of inspiration for your Color Palette?
The color palette that I use for my wardrobe is inspired by the Light Summer color palette found in Sci/ART – think light, bright, beachy, and breezy. From there I add in colors that I love, but that aren’t necessarily Light Summer, in small amounts – you’ll see many pops of olive green and chartreuse despite these not being my best colors.
I stick to a system of Base Colors – navy, light grey, off-white, Key Colors – raspberry, lilac, mint, and Accent Colors – Teal, dark peach, coral, chartreuse, and royal blue. I keep track of my color palette on my “Color Palette” worksheet, which is available for download on my website for those who could use help keeping their color palette cohesive.
8. Whatโs in store for the next season in both new designs and courses?
As I mentioned previously, I leaned heavily into warm weather knits for this upcoming Spring/Summer season. I have 3 tops, a dress, and a handful of headbands & scarves perfect for sunny days out and about planned for release, beginning with my Tutti Frutti pinafore-inspired top on March 16th. Most of my spring and summer releases will have an associated KAL for those needing a bit more community these days! My course offerings will be a bit sparse as I work on releasing my Spring/Summer collection, but you can definitely expect that my Handmade Wardrobe Edit Workshop will be offered at least once more this year!
9. Balancing your day with family and entrepreneurship surely isnโt easy. What keeps you going?
Matt, my husbeast, keeps me going when the times get tough. He started building his business almost 6 years ago now, and every hardship that I am going through, he’s already gone through it and can empathize and give me sound advice. He is constantly reminding me of the example I’m setting for our kids by stepping outside of the box and doing hard things every day. And when I really feel like throwing in the towel, he gives the best hugs and gives me space to pull myself back up before recommending the next book I need to read on my entrepreneurial journey.
10. Last but not least, any advice for those looking to journey down a similar path? What do you think they should know?
Slow and steady wins the race – and this is advice I’m learning to take myself! Sometimes you’re going to feel like you can’t keep up with those around you. In those moments, do not be tempted to produce simply for the sake of producing! Stay true to your essence, don’t rush your processes, and make sure you ask yourself why you’re doing something and whether it aligns with your values before acting on it.ย
