I met Karen through a contact at Andover Fabrics. I was at Quilt Market talking with Alison Glass and her team about their fabrics and asking for help on marketing. I was told that there was a lovely person that had just moved to my area and that we should meet and was given Karen’s contact information. Karen and I met when she came to my store to look around. I think we instantly bonded, but don’t almost all fabric lovers bond at first meet? We agreed that Karen should come and teach a class for Esther’s Fabrics. I had recently bought the store and was reinstituting its teaching program. Karen came to teach the class “Make Your Favorite Tee” which is a class that has students copy a beloved t-shirt that they can’t bear to live without. The first thing that comes across in Karen’s classes is her sense of fun and of no judgement. She makes everyone feel at home and gives them the confidence to take on their first sewing project with no trepidation. In her classes you learn much about the basics of sewing, but it goes far beyond that to helping people fit the shirts to their bodies with no judgment, and much encouragement. You learn tips to make the sewing process easier and lead you to success. Whenever Karen was in the store teaching a class there is much laughter, and customers are always peaking into the classroom to see what all the fun is about. Karen is a loving and giving person and teacher and gives a lot to the sewing world.

- Susan Skalak, Owner, Esther’s Fabrics, Bainbridge Island, WA

Karen is exactly what you want in a working relationship: professional, easy going, efficient, dedicated, and accessible. She is your ace in the pocket.

When covid hit, and PPE shortages became dire, Karen stepped up and volunteered her valuable time to help draft a pattern for a very specialized, complex project, making PAPR (powered air purifying respirator) headcovers. The pattern is now open source and available for download at SewcialDistancing.org. Thanks to Karen’s professional pattern draft, people have access to making these headcovers.

She was fast, fun, fabulous. In a few hours she has the draft done, and we were able to get more PAPRS directly to hospital ICUs.

Thank you Karen for your dedication to this project.

- Leah Boyan, Founder, Sewcialdistancing DIY PPE

I had the best experience working with Karen Lepage this past year. As a patternmaker and sewist myself, I find that my expectations are high when it comes to garment grading and patternmaking, however, Karen did not disappoint. I also hired Karen to tutor me in a digital patternmaking and grading program and found that not only does she have so much experience in her craft, she is also kind, patient, informative, creative and fun to be around. I am impressed by how much she has helped others in the apparel and sewing related industries with her knowledge and passion.

- Peggy Mead, Owner, Sew House Seven

Karen is a delight to work with! The multiple workshops she taught at the public library I work at were accessible for both those new to sewing, as well as experienced sewers. She greeted whatever challenge came her way with a smile. Her knowledge and experience, and professionalism and positivity make Karen a dream to work with.

- Amanda Schott, Library Technician, Ann Arbor District Library