Jana Boyl
LEAD TAILOR / BRIDAL & READY-TO-WEAR SPECIALIST
Jana has been a part of the Silhouette team since the beginning, being recruited right after graduation in 2012 with a Bachelors of Science in Apparel Design from Oregon State University. Jana has a deep understanding of apparel construction, which is showcased in her innovative sewing techniques and problem solving. She is Silhouette’s lead tailor in ready-to- wear, and added the craft of bridal alterations to her repertoire in 2017.
Jana designed and produced her own women’s wear label, Jana Marie Apparel, from 2012 to 2015. Her collections of knit dresses, sweaters and leggings drew inspiration from her ballet background, playing with line, shape and the female form. In 2014, she was hired by Carla Mink to pattern and prototype a small collection for her boutique, Mink. After several successful seasons, the in-house Mink clothing line outgrew the hand patterning and grading services that Jana offered. She then collaborated with the team at Portland Apparel Lab, helping with fit tests as the patterns were adapted to digital format.
The sewing doesn’t stop outside of Silhouette either. Through the years she makes time to sew each family member or friend’s wedding outfit, no matter the project scope. She also enjoys making matching garments for her twin nieces and embarking on sewing projects with her mother, Janie, who taught her to sew as a child.
Greatest sewing achievement?
“Splicing together two size 16 bridesmaid dresses to make a single size 24 dress. Did I mention it had a fully beaded overlay? It was perfect!”
Favorite part of alterations?
“It’s a puzzle! Every garment is sewn completely differently. I love figuring out the manufacturer’s construction, and perfectly recreating the original. Unless the original is just dumb. Then I find a better alternative. I also love seeing the “wow” factor on my client’s face after a big transformation. Their satisfaction becomes my own.”
Favorite Portland Restaurant?
“It’s truly impossible to choose, but some of my favorites to return to are Andina, Laurelhurst Market, and Canard. My favorite FOODCART has got to be Kenbu Sushi. Great prices, delicious and filling.”
Favorite Podcasts?
“It’s difficult to choose just one. For my true crime fix, I love Criminal and Buried Bones. For storytelling, it’s always This American Life and RadioLab. And for my foodie fix, it’s The Splendid Table, Home Cooking, and The Sporkful. You can also catch me listening to old re-runs of Car Talk on my morning commute.”
Fun Fact!
“During the ice storm of February 2021, I was in the middle of altering my sister-in-law’s wedding dress. Everything was shut down, and I lost power at my home for 5 days, but the dress HAD to get done, and was a tight turnaround. I ended up hand-stitching her beaded lace hem via headlamp light. Not the best work conditions, but it looked great in the end!”