Me Made May Maker Feature: Joyce LeBlanc
Welcome to our second Me Made May Maker Feature! We're so excited to chat with Joyce of JL Designs this week! Specializing in children's garments, Joyce brings her extensive repertoire of techniques to all of her swoon-worthy designs. With the love and care she puts into crafting the personality of each garment, it's no wonder her creations are timeless pieces that can be passed down through generations of kiddos. Any child who wears a JL Design must feel truly special indeed!
DuckaDilly: How did your sewing journey begin?
Joyce: I began sewing when I was 13 - my Mom taught me and I learned a lot from watching her. I loved taking several patterns and combining them to make my own design - a technique I have not stopped using. I attended the School of Fashion Design in Boston, MA focusing on couture detail and pattern making.
DuckaDilly: What is one thing in your sewing kit that you cannot live without?
Joyce: I would say the one tool I could not do without are my slanted edge tweezers - they are like another pair of fingers - grabbing so many edges precisely that my fingers are too big and clumsy for!
DD: What is your favorite part of sewing for children? What inspires your designs?
Joyce: My favorite part of sewing for children is the anticipation of knowing that some little girl or boy will feel that they are incredibly special when they wear one of my designs - especially if they had a part in choosing the fabrics. I am deeply inspired by timeless, classic designs - many of the patterns that I use for inspiration are from generations ago. Style is timeless. It transcends generations - it's enduring. It is my goal to maintain a strong sense of style in each of my creations, providing children with a sense of belonging and a way to celebrate their individuality.
DD: Do you have a favorite embellishment or signature detail you love to include in your pieces?
Joyce: I am all about detail - little things can make a big statement without overpowering the design or fabric if executed thoughtfully. It's the details that pull everything together and bring about "wow" reactions. My pintucks and perfectly matched piping details are two elements that have definitely become a JL Designs signature. Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabrics have such depth and diversity in color - I love pulling out the right tone or depth of a color with the piping to give the piece its own personality. I also play around with the color thread I use for the pintucks - it can change the look by blending with the colors or creating a contrast.
DD: Is there a technique or part of the process that inspires the most joy for you?
Joyce: My favorite part of the design process is choosing the fabric, and then piping and then one of my custom patterns. I am always playing around with different combinations in my mind and spread out in my studio. I let what I've put together 'speak' to me before I begin the construction process. Each Liberty design has its own personality and then within each design - depending on the colorway - another personality emerges!
DD: What is your favorite way to spend an afternoon not sewing?
Joyce: My favorite thing to do when I'm not sewing is to go hiking with my husband and dog!
One more thought from Joyce:
When I started my business in 2018 I wanted to offer timeless high quality clothing that parents would feel good about purchasing. Something that could be passed down for years to come. I chose to use Liberty of London Tana Lawn when I started my business because of the quality - it has a very high thread count and long staple - creating a very fine, silky and incredibly durable fabric. I have customers who have purchased dresses 6 or 7 years ago and have passed them down to siblings, cousins and friends and they still look brand new. And then to find DuckaDilly - that was just the icing on the cake!!
Joyce's designs inspire our own garment making, big and small. Thank you Joyce! Be sure to visit Joyce's website for one of a kind garments for your tiny loved ones and follow her on Instagram @joyceleblancdesigns to admire more of her work!
We will be back next week with another conversation with another fabulous maker! Ready for more chats with makers? Check out our conversation with Jenna, aka @theladywholunches!
xo, DuckaDilly
