Photo by Callie Lipkin

Aimee Dolby founded Betsy Ross Patterns after an all-night pants-sewing session left her…without pants. Well, she had a pair of pants, but thanks to the difficult pattern, they were three sizes too small and the zipper was upside down. She asked herself, “Why does sewing from a pattern have to be so hard?” and then she realized it didn’t. She could make her own patterns. And she did, with
awesome results.

Which came first, the Betsy Ross name or living in Philly?

I named my business back in 2004, when I was living in Chicago. The name had more to do with the facts (and myth) surrounding Betsy Ross and her legendary occupation as the seamstress of the American flag. I was inspired by her life story and thought that the name was perfect. In addition, I think that there are equal parts crafty and political to what I am trying to achieve with this business. A big part of it is trying to enable people to think more about creating and less about consuming.

In 2006 we moved to Philly and it seemed very fitting and a little funny to me to me that we landed here!

What are your favorite places in the city?

Franklin Fountain, Washington Square, and the Art Museum.

How has living in Philly helped your business?

I think that Philadelphia has a very tight network of people involved in the arts. It seems that everyone knows everyone here and is willing to help you any way they can. I have been lucky enough to get involved with the Philadelphia Sewing Collective, as well as a group of women who own small creative businesses in the area. Both organizations have been very supportive to Betsy Ross.

To learn more about Aimee’s work (and how to make your own no-hassle clothes!), visit the Betsy Ross Patterns website, or check out her patterns for sale at Art Star or Mew Gallery.

http://www.betsyrosspatterns.com
http://www.artstarphilly.com
http://www.mewgallery.org