Long ago and not far away, a woman (me) started a business for supplemental income. It turned out to be a pretty good business and served its purpose. The main item was a Carpet Bag she had designed for herself to get her thru college. It had a padded strap for comfort sewn all the way down the bag…
Update on our Website for Sewing Patterns
Here’s what I have learned so far about creating a website for sewing patterns. The legal piece is larger than I ever imagined and this has caused our project to take months longer than I wanted. I wanted to be up and running 5 minutes after I came up with the idea. I’m a Make-a-decision-and-then-lets-do-it person. But there is a…
Maternity Aprons
Customers request maternity aprons. Although we have not been selling anything specific to maternity, we often recommend that the customer purchase a No Tie Apron as we make the assumption that its roomy design will flatter and fit throughout pregnancy. Like I said, we make the assumption. We are unable to conclude anything even after years of advice as no…
Alice Waters
I have fallen in love with cooking again. I have met Alice Waters. I had heard of her. I have spotted cookbooks among the collections that line the bookstore shelves. I had heard her name spoken within conversations. Her name always spoken with respect, awe and interest. But I rarely have time to cook anymore. I steam and eat and…
Designs and Processes
This is one of my favorite designs. I just love it. I love looking at it. I love wearing it. It feels graceful and soft. And what I have learned, as it was pointed out to me recently, is how I rarely design in straight lines. I never thought about it but when I look over what I do, I…
Holiday Aprons minus The Taffeta Dream
We find that once a customer discovers just the right fit and length of an apron, they then move forward regarding prints. Customers like to see prints for different seasons and holidays. Holiday Aprons are a must for a lot of apron wearers. Aside from canning season, holidays are probably second in kitchen baking and cooking. Choosing a print is…
Patterns
I know a lot of you have asked for patterns. We have confirmed that we are, in fact, planning to offer a second website with patterns in a digital download format. (not our current patterns but the dozens of unmarketed designs and previous designs). I just wanted to post an update. We have started the writing process. We are working…
Dear Men…
We decided to pursue you. Men buy our Barn Apron. But we wondered what else you might want. We wondered what specific needs you had as compared to our female customer population. We asked you for input on our aprons. You were great at giving it and we loved the input. Here’s a sampling of your responses. There has to…
September in the Studio
Rather than not blogging as nothing is in a finished state in which to celebrate, I thought to inform rather than leave a state of silence hanging in the air. Gathered Bib Aprons are nearly completed. We did an assortment of prints and are now offering this style in all 9 sizes. We haven’t had this style available for a…
We are the Underpants Store.
I overheard the manager of my retail store once say to a customer, “No, we aren’t a gift item, we’re the underpants store.” I couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation but my curiosity piqued. “What does that mean?” I asked her later. “People don’t come in here because they need a gift. They come because they need an apron,…
Yard Sale Discoveries
Curious things happen when you have an online Yard Sale. I say curious because when having a yard sale you expect things to sell. Period. It’s the only thing you expect. We all know the process. We drag stuff out of closets and crevices and offer them up for sale. You offer below market prices and POOF! all those extra…
The Wrap Apron
We have a new apron design. We call it The Wrap Apron. We designed it around the concepts of loose and flowing, yet well fitted. Nearly a contradiction, I know. The concepts marry themselves in this design. It hangs comfortably and loose around your body yet stays in place with options to tie it around you tight or not. The…