Learning from a Pattern Nerd, with Tricia Comacho | Episode 101
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In this episode of 'Sewing with Threads,' host Carol Frazier welcomes Tricia Comacho, founder of Creative Costume Academy and PatternCon, to discuss her unconventional journey from high school theater enthusiast to a celebrated pattern-making expert in live entertainment. Tricia shares how she discovered her passion for costume design after realizing she didn’t want to be an actress or follow fashion trends, leading her to study pattern making at LA Trade Tech and work on major productions like Cirque du Soleil and Disney. Despite stepping back from hands-on costume fabrication, she now focuses on empowering home sewers and aspiring designers through her online membership, The Pattern Place, which offers a searchable library of classes, live Q&A sessions, and community support. Tricia emphasizes that pattern making isn’t about rigid rules but about creative problem-solving, encouraging students to trust their instincts and embrace experimentation. She also discusses her mission to celebrate pattern making as a vital, underappreciated craft, highlighted by her annual PatternCon conference in Atlanta, which brings together sewers of all levels to learn, connect, and grow. Her approach—rooted in accessibility, encouragement, and real-world application—has transformed how people view fitting and pattern making, making advanced skills feel achievable for everyone.
Pattern making is not a rigid science but a creative, intuitive process that anyone can learn with the right encouragement.
The Pattern Place membership offers practical, community-driven support with live Q&A, searchable classes, and goal-based motivation for real-world application.
PatternCon is a unique, inclusive conference celebrating pattern making as a superpower in garment creation, with diverse classes for all skill levels.
Tricia’s teaching philosophy centers on empowering students by validating their existing skills and helping them build confidence, not perfection.
Fitting challenges are personal and dynamic—there’s no single 'right' way, and small tweaks can make a big difference.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Summer Sewing Inspiration & Episode Intro
Carol Frazier kicks off the episode with a promotional segment for Kelly Williams’ on-demand course on button-front and paper bag skirts, then introduces Tricia Comacho as the guest.
Tricia’s Journey into Costume Design
“I liked sewing, but I don't want to do fashion. I liked theater, but I don't want to be an actress. And somebody said to me one day, well, why don't you do costumes? You know, costume design.”
From School to Broadway: Building a Career in Costumes
Tricia details her education at Fullerton Community College and LA Trade Tech, her early work on shows like Snoopy Rocks on Ice and Utah Shakespearean Festival, and her two-year Broadway tour that launched her career.
The Shift from Fabrication to Education
“I've pulled back a lot. Actually, last year, the beginning of 2025 was the first year I started pulling back. But I replaced it with creating PatternCon, so I didn't gain a whole lot of extra time.”
The Pattern Place: A Community for Pattern Makers
“I can actually give feedback on exactly what people are working on and direct them to videos that might help them, you know, and walk them through as they're going along.”
“There’s no cheating in pattern making. You know, Disney, Cirque du Soleil, they don't care the process that I make. All they care about is that they have the costume that they need.”
“I think that’s what it is, is that you can do this. Anyone can do this. It doesn't have to be that hard. It doesn't have to be that complicated.”
“I liked sewing, but I don't want to do fashion. I liked theater, but I don't want to be an actress. And somebody said to me one day, well, why don't you do costumes? You know, costume design.”
Host
Guest
Tricia Comacho
person
PatternCon
organization
Creative Costume Academy
organization
Threads Magazine
other
The Pattern Place
other
Carol Frazier
person
Disney
organization
Cirque du Soleil
organization
LA Trade Tech
other
Fullerton Community College
other
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