It's quirky, it's interesting, and it's woman-owned.

And so you don't have men trying to choke more cash out of it or more profit out of it.

I'm Sarah Mittnick, and this is Same Work Radio, where we tell stories about the surprising ways that sewing impacts our lives.

Our theme this month at Seamwork is Generations.

When we think about generations of sewing, we often think about the way

skills are passed down from parent to child. But in today's story, we're going to hear about a sewing

business that's transitioned from generation to generation, and how changing times and changing

owners have really impacted it. That business is folkware patterns, a pattern business that's grown and changed

over many decades. Hilly Glenn will share today's story. If you've been sewing for any amount of time,

there's a good chance that you've crossed paths with folkware patterns. Maybe you recognize them

by their eye-catching illustrated pattern covers, or perhaps your mom's

been sewing their patterns since the 70s, or maybe you've adapted one of their patterns

for cosplay.

If you're thinking, folk what?

Let me introduce you.

Folkware is an iconic pattern company that's been creating patterns based on folk and historic garments for nearly 50 years.

Despite four changes in ownership and two recessions, this woman-owned business is still churning out patterns today.

When I first set out to tell the story of folkwear, I wasn't quite sure what I was in for.

Of course, I'd researched the company and learned its history, but I didn't think that by the

end of the process, I would have spent hours talking to all five unique and creative women

who've owned or currently owned the company. After my first interview with Molly Hamilton, the current owner of the company,

it became clear that the story of folkware isn't about an individual.

...