Robes!

Are we really back, Ontario? My kids have been in school/daycare for a few weeks now. I’m finishing up a huge order for one of my favourite clients (who lets me have free rein on design choices!) and working on some new pieces while pondering what the future holds for my little business.

I’ve set up my business in a really difficult way to scale. Because every single item I make is cut and sewn specifically for you, with tweaks here and there for fit, styling, etc, my turn around is slower that what people are used to in this time of fast fashion. Hiring another sewist would be the obvious thing to do to keep up with demand. However, I live in Washago. Have you heard of it? No? That’s because it is VERY SMALL. It’s not a city, not a town, not even a village… it’s a “community.” Don’t get me wrong, I love living here in the northern most point of central Ontario, but finding a sewer seems like a difficult task…

A few years ago I started looking at Canadian Manufacturers for lingerie and actually found one or two, however their minimum order quantities were in the THOUSANDS. I’m just not prepared to order that much, especially now. The pandemic hit us hard financially as a family.

But, I need to figure out a sustainable plan to grow my business in a way that is ethical & true to my brand. Now having two little people to care for, I find my working hours are reduced, but I still have the drive and desire for making lingerie that I always have… I just need to explore different avenues. I don’t think I’ll ever stop offering custom lingerie. I think that is an important service to offer and I know my many repeat clients enjoy the process (as do I!).

One of the things I’ve discovered that I enjoy is creating my own fabrics. I love that I can develop a pattern, develop a fabric, sew it all together and really truly make something entirely out of my dreams. I’ve recently started having some of my “signature prints” developed into robes, classic briefs and pull-on bras. Although these items can’t be customized the way my made to order line is, these items ship in about 7 business days. Importantly, they are still made in Canada – the fabric is even printed here!

When I’m designing lingerie and patterns, I design what I want to wear, and I have been wearing these. The peachskin jersey robes are incredibly soft and nice and stretchy. Over the past few years, through pregnancies, breastfeeding, etc, I’ve discovered that robes are a pretty important staple in my wardrobe. If I never had to be seen by other adults, I’d probably just wear one all day. Who’s with me?

You can find these items in my Etsy Shop! More prints will be coming soon.