I’m excited to share that I was recently featured on Canvas Rebel. It was such a great opportunity to talk about what inspires my work and the heart behind what I do. I’m sharing the full interview below—enjoy!

Interview: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-jane-henry/

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jane Henry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jane below.

Jane, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I naturally gravitated toward fashion, but creativity isn’t just about what comes easily—it’s about pushing past challenges. As an introvert, articulating ideas was one of mine. You might think: Wait, don’t you have a newsletter about sewing? I do, and I love it. But for me, speaking is a different story. That’s why I believe communication is an essential skill in the fashion industry.

Learning never stops, and books, archives, and libraries are incredible resources. Many museums, like LACMA and the Getty in LA, have public archives available by appointment. Even unexpected places, like JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, offer hidden gems. They have a fantastic library right in the middle of bustling Hollywood and Highland. Used bookstores, like my favorite, the Iliad in North Hollywood, are treasure troves of inspiration, too.

Ultimately, the most important thing I can do for my craft is to never stop learning and to keep challenging myself.

Jane, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have a Substack called Classic Cool Sewing. It’s a newsletter dedicated to the art of sewing and pattern making, with a focus on timeless techniques and classic methods. I worked in the fashion industry for over 20 years with most of my career focused on eveningwear. This experience allowed me to wear many hats and gain a unique perspective on the inner workings of fashion.

Fashion has always captivated me—its auras of fantasy, the tailored proportions, the little exaggerations and the strong silhouettes. It’s woven into our human experience—it always has been. Even if you don’t sew, there’s a language to it, a history, an appreciation. That’s what Classic Cool Sewing brings—a unique and specific perspective on sewing and craftsmanship, even for those who may never pick up a needle. Who knows? Maybe it’ll spark something, and you will!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is how it makes me feel. I feel like I’m the same age as my kids, when everything sparkles and feels new, when there’s magic in what might seem mundane.

The reward is intertwined with the challenge. There’s something so satisfying about figuring things out. If a sleeve balance is off, or I want more flare at the hem, or if I just imagine a shape, how do I draft it? How do I take this two-dimensional figment in my mind and translate it into a three-dimensional design? But more than that, how will it look on the body? How will it move when worn? How will it feel? Clothes aren’t made for the hanger—they’re meant to move in.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I simply desire to share—it’s meaningful to me to preserve and share the art of sewing and pattern drafting. These skills are becoming lost in time. I was fortunate—my mom sews, and I learned from her. Then I went to school for fashion and had incredible professors, and later, I got to work for people who inspired me. Now, I hope to do the same.

Please do check out my Substack and support Classic Cool Sewing by becoming a free subscriber! You can access my newsletter archive and subscribe to future letters, using the link shared below.

Contact Info: