A product of the pre-fast-fashion era, Annie Mollison has been pattern-making and sewing since her mother taught her how to construct garments as a child. After years working away at her home sewing ...

Once upon a time, saying something looked “homemade” was perceived as an insult. But now that fast-fashion brands have made cheap clothes accessible on a global scale, everyone is dressing the same.

The company that owns the biggest sewing pattern brands — Simplicity, Butterick, McCalls, and Vogue — has been sold to a liquidator, per the Craft Industry Alliance. That’s troubling news for those of ...