About Sarai

My name is Sarai Mitnick, and I love to sew.

I began finding my way around the sewing machine at the age of 16, when my grandmother helped me make my first dress. I’ve been in love with the craft ever since, sketching, designing, and stitching in all of my free time for the last 12 years. I love clothes, and sewing has opened up ways of thinking about fashion that really go beyond trends and consumption. I love the way handmade clothing brings art and creativity into the everyday.

With a successful career in the world of User Experience design, I decided to use my passion for the handmade and understanding of design principles in a new way. For years, people had asked me if I were interested in becoming a fashion designer. But truthfully, what I wanted was not to create yet another fashion label, but to contribute to the creativity of others. I wanted to share the joy that sewing brought me.

I found that most sewing patterns out there aren’t designed for the women I know: talented, creative, artsy women who aren’t afraid to express themselves. I wanted to make patterns they’d get excited about.

I take a great deal of inspiration from the shapes and details of vintage clothing, but aim to create designs that are also modern, wearable, and versatile. Above all, I believe in flattering cuts that can be made in a variety of fabrics, so the sewer’s imagination can really go wild.

I currently work out of my studio in Portland, OR along with my partner. For more about me, you can visit my personal blog, Sweet Sassafras.

For press photos, visit the image download section.