Anna Escher of Sew.Lala Patterns joins Sew & So to share her creative journey, from learning to sew as a child to designing patterns, exploring an array of artistic hobbies, and finding connection through the online sewing community. Anna talks about persistence, her return to teaching, her love of thrifting, and how she embraces ADHD as part of her creative process. It’s an inspiring conversation about curiosity, creativity, and the courage to keep learning.
Today on Sew & So, we’re talking with Anna Escher of Sew.Lala Patterns, whose creative journey has taken her from fine art and art history to sewing, pattern design, teaching, and a whole lot of other hands-on pursuits. Inspired by her father and grandmother, Anna began sewing around the age of ten, and she’s never stopped exploring what creativity can look like.
From silversmithing and woodworking to pottery, leatherwork, and a love of thrift stores and flea markets, Anna approaches creativity with curiosity and a healthy dose of determination. In fact, she believes you don’t necessarily have to be talented to learn something new—you just have to be willing to try and be a little stubborn!
We’ll hear how unexpected challenges led her to build Sew.Lala Patterns and find community in the online sewing world, why she’s now found joy in returning to the classroom, and how she views her ADHD as both a superpower and, at times, a source of frustration. Plus, we’ll talk fabric hoarding, creative flow, and what’s next for this multi-talented maker living in Switzerland.
Join us for a conversation about following your curiosity, embracing the creative process, and giving yourself permission to try something new.
(2:14) How did Anna learn to so and who influenced her? Her dad is a big part of the mix!
(4:24) Anna grew up in a family that emphasized creativity…what was this like for her?
(7:52) Anna calls her dad an autodidactic learner and her spirit animal. She explains…
(10:31) She explains how her education has supported her creativity
(12:42) Anna talks about her myriad hobbies
(15:01) “You don’t have to be necessarily talented…but just try and be a little stubborn” Anna explains what she means by this.
(18:19) Hear about the beginning of Sew.LaLa and the challenges Anna had during this time. And, where did the name come from?!
(23:23) Anna is back in the classroom – pausing patternmaking to do so. What about being there makes her feel such joy?
(24:57) Learn about her passion for thrifting as she takes along with a description of her thrifting adventures.
(27:25) Fabric hoarding?! What’s this all about?!!
(29:46) Anna calls her ADHD her superpower and at times a source of frustration. If given the chance…would she want to NOT have ADHD? And, what about her “flow state”?
(32:30) What’s next for her and what’s her dream?
(35:23) Is there anything we didn’t ask?
(36:11) What to contact Anna? #so.lala or #so.lalapatterns