About Joi

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About Joi

Hi! My name is Joi Mahon, AKA Designer Joi®!

I am a fashion sewing entrepreneur, founder of Dress Forms Design Studio, LLC, published author of Sewing Clothes, The Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes, Create the Perfect Fit & Designer Joi’s Fashion Sewing Workshop, McCall Licensed Pattern Designer, Threads Magazine Complete Course on Interfacing and Threads Author, Craftsy/ Blueprint instructor, clothing patent owner, BERNINA Industry Alliance member, Mettler Thread Brand Ambassador, OESD design fan, and fit expert. My studio is Designer Joi’s Sewing Factory in Sioux City, Iowa.

I provide a variety of garment sewing and design services to the home sewing industry. I teach at events nationally and in my on-site studio classroom. I also work one-on-one with custom clients in my studio, creating eye-catching designs for business attire, dressy apparel, custom skirts, bridal wear, children’s wear, costumes, and other designs.

My passion is to convey REAL sewing and fitting solutions to my students while enjoying the study of clothing and its interaction with the individual’s unique figure. I have a degree in Fashion Design from Iowa State University. Still, my fitting advice stems from my God-given talent, which I am thankful for every day, and over 30 years of fitting real people in a sewing business setting. I don’t read fit books and re-teach outdated fit methods (the reason most sewers are still seeking the perfect fit). Instead, I teach what works for the individual body based on my real-life fitting experiences.

Fit should not be hard or made to appear difficult. I want everyone to receive the satisfaction I have in their sewing.

My passion is to help you succeed as your sewing mentor.

Welcome!

“I truly believe my skills and talents are a gift from God. I have been designing and sewing since I was six years old and professionally since I was 15. I reflected on many opportunities I have been given, which have not happened by accident or even through my power or effort. I believe in being a good steward with our skills, gifts, and material items, and I feel so blessed to be doing something that I also LOVE to do”sew” much, and have been given this talent to utilize to HIS glory. I do not like listing a resume and bragging on oneself, but I know people need to see what you can do to validate working with me. I’d rather the proof be in the results, but there is quite a list. More importantly, my favorite Bible verse is Esther 4:14. While there is a lot to hone and unpack from that account, I have always believed ” . . . for such as time as this . . .”, and while I don’t know why me some days; I know I am supposed to be doing what I do every day until I am revealed that I don’t need to anymore. I believe a bigger purpose exists, and we must always stay grounded. My struggle has always been that I enjoy creating things so much that I must continually remind myself of perspective and purpose. Sometimes the biggest blessings I have encountered in my career are not the ones that ever make social media or look fancy, but those special people I have had an opportunity to share my faith with, and I treasure that. I hope I do it justice as I take this responsibility very seriously!”

– Designer Joi

Awards & Achievements

Founder, Designer Joi’s Sewing Factory and Dress Forms Design Studio, LLC (1999)
Book #5 TBA 2026, Author Sewing Clothes (2024), Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes (2022), Designer Joi’s Fashion Sewing Workshop (2016,) and Create the Perfect Fit (2015)
Host of Nancy’s Notions Wardrobe Builder
Craftsy Instructor
Licensed McCall Pattern Designer
Threads Magazine Author
Threads Magazine Complete Guide to Interfacing Course
Sew News Author and Columnist
SQE Professional Columnist
Owner of a US Garment Patent
BERNINA Industry Alliance Member
Mettler Thread Ambassador
Mettler European Division Creator
Past Baby Lock Ambassador
Sew It All TV
ASG Teacher of the Year 2013
Passion for Fashion Winner 2009
Siouxland Women Cover Woman
Featured in numerous magazines
My most important business achievement is seeing all my students succeed and grow in their sewing skills, and seeing my custom clients wear designs that I have created for them and the special events in their lives.