Hilary's machine sewing journey began at the age of eight, guided by her grandmother, Frances. Fran taught Hilary how to read commercial patterns and honed her skills in tailoring, a craft Fran had learned through professional garment classes in NYC. During her grade school years, Hilary attended a Waldorf School which nurtured her creative problem-solving skills and instilled in her a passion for making art with her hands. Her love for textiles and fabrics is evident, as she can easily spend hours exploring every nook and cranny of a fabric store or textile market.
After completing her studies at Fashion Design School at FIDM, Hilary spent over 20 years in the apparel industry. She worked for renowned companies such as Levi’s, House of Hengst, Indigenous Designs, and Marmot, where she refined her expertise as a technical designer with a strong emphasis on garment fit and construction. Her career took her overseas to work on product development and factory training for pattern makers & sewers. Recently, she has taught Pattern Drafting, Draped Design, and Garment Construction at the Santa Rosa Junior College and still is an active member on their advisory committee.
Following the birth of her daughter, Fia, who serves as her inspiration and muse, Hilary began designing and creating sewing patterns for children's play clothes. These patterns are available online and at Fiber Snob. True to her teaching philosophy, Hilary aims to make her sewing patterns an enjoyable learning experience. She utilizes minimal text, focusing heavily on pictorial diagrams to illustrate garment-making techniques that yield professional-looking results. Hilary is passionate about teaching and delights in sharing her expertise in garment-making techniques that produce high-quality clothing that can be cherished for generations.
Hilary is dedicated to incorporating sustainability into her classes, aiming to raise awareness about the true value of our clothing. She educates people about the intricacies of the garment industry, with the hope that we will all appreciate the contents of our wardrobes and honor the individuals who create our garments.
Currently, Hilary resides downtown in Santa Rosa, California, where she cares for half an acre of land dotted with 60 fruit trees, an assortment of berry bushes, flowers to attract beneficial insects, and plants for natural dyeing.
Follow her journey on Instagram @fennelgoods
