Gather Studio
Words: Carolyn Enting
Photography: Blink Ltd
Kate Hancock sews everything she wears. At her Eden Terrace studio Gather, she's now teaching others- especially those who struggle with off-the-rack sizing - to do the same.
Google 'Kate Hancock NZ' and you're likely to be directed to a page about her custom made-to-order bags. Kate has built a reputation for turning salvaged leather into covetable one-off accessories.
She's also the founder of Gather Studio, which offers beginner- friendly sewing workshops and access to industrial machines for home sewers or boutique makers.
"It's a space that I always wanted to have when I was learning to sew. I couldn't find it, so I made it," says Kate.
Gather Studio is her happy place, where she makes bags and sample garments by day and runs evening sewing classes.
The word "gather" is a double entendre, she explains, "because when you sew you gather sleeves and put garments together, but it's also something that we all do, we gather together. We do workshops, teaching beginner and intermediate sewers, and we host open studio so people can come and book the machines and work on their own projects."
The former restaurant exec and flight attendant honed her sewing skills during lockdown, when her mother gifted her a sewing machine. She'd learned to sew in high school but during lockdown, with unlimited time on her hands, she spent every day sewing, practising and problem-solving. "I was obsessed with the idea of having a fully handmade wardrobe where I'd made absolutely everything that I own."
And that's when she also started making bags, because she wanted a handbag that matched her outfits - and she wanted a leather one. Buying a leather hide from a fabric store, she was disappointed when her first leather bag faded quickly. So she went to Tatty's and bought a pair of pre-loved genuine leather crocodile print trousers. "I knew the leather would stand the test of time, because it already had. Then I made more and more bags, and that's how the bag started."
Her bags, which are also now sold at The Shelter, are now mostly made from offcuts from Danske Møbler sofas, to keep the colours and quality consistent. She also does special commissions for people who want a bag made from a sentimental piece of clothing that they own but no longer can wear.
And she proudly wears clothes she made herself from fabrics of her own choosing.
"When I worked for an airline, I had to wear a polyester uniform. I vowed that I would never work for anyone who ever made me wear polyester as my default uniform. So getting to choose the fibres and the construction and taking my time to make garments that I love is pretty cool," says Kate.
Being able to make clothes that fit her properly has also been a motivating factor. "I've always struggled buying clothes in retail because my hips are wide and I have a smaller waist, and I think a lot of people can relate to that," she says.
Most people who do her workshops are in the size 12 to 22 range, and her patterns go up to a 32.
"I always start with a conversation about size, because every single body is different, no matter how tall you are, everything is different and there is no such thing as a universal size chart. So I'll work with you to tailor the pattern to fit you, rather than you trying to fit the clothes.
"You take all your measurements, learn how sewing patterns work, then go through the process of each step that comes with making that specific garment."
Patterns include barrel leg pants that are having a fashion moment, as well as skirts, tops and dresses. She also selects and provides the fabrics because she knows that they will sew well. When she first opened Gather Studio in July 2026, her beginner sewing workshops sold out within an hour, with 45 people on the waitlist.
Classes are currently limited to four people because Kate wants to make sure she has time to chat to everyone and ensure they get enough time to do what they need to do.
"I think a lot of people are getting into sewing. I feel like there's a massive amount of momentum in the sewing community now and more people are getting involved," she says.
Prior to setting up in business, Kate went on a sewing holiday to Thailand, where she learned how to weave on a loom and also learned patternmaking. Back in New Zealand, she works with a professional pattern grader and has an AO printer ready to go if visitors to the studio need to print out a pattern.
Kate has been overwhelmed by the amount of positive feedback about the workshops.
"I always knew that I wanted to do my own thing and sewing has been such a big part of my life, and I wanted to figure out a way to sew all the time. Now this is technically my job, which is very exciting.
