Back to the drawing board

Something I love about Facebook is the ability to connect with like minded people. I can join a "group" and chat with people who have the same interests and get inspired to be a better mum/wife/business owner/seamstress. But it does have its downside, one which has lead me to make some tough choices.

Over the last week, I have been stalking one of my favourite sewing groups and watching for great sewing creations to inspire me. One lady posted she purchased a handmade outfit with flaws and was disappointed. In the end the handmade business replaced her item with their apologises but it was some of the comments from other members that had me doubting myself. Instead of feeling inspired I felt that I wasn't good enough. One comment in particular stayed with me. The handmade industry has boomed thanks to people like me, without degree's in fashion and accreditations and as a result are sending out poorly made items. A member of this group, that no doubt has helped many a n amateur sewer learn their craft and feel confident to share their goods with the wider community, made it seem that untrained people shouldn't be selling.


Yesterday, instead of sewing, I examined my clothing items, which I wanted to soon share, and picked apart their flaws. I have no idea if those flaws really exist or if I am just being too critical but as a result I will not be releasing my clothing at this stage. Seeing some of the comments from sewers, who also buy handmade clothes, complain about the quality has put me off completely. I'm not saying they are right or wrong, just the fact that something I made to being enjoyed would be so critically judged doesn't make me want to put myself out there.

The cute shorts I am so proud of, were already being sold at sample costs, so they will be released, however, all the other clothing items will not be for sale. I will, for now, stick to my softies and dolls and continue to make clothes for friends and family and perhaps look into some education classes. Being the best I can be is important and will perhaps give me confidence to face the critics.

I know this will cause some disappointment but I hope you will all continue to support us and our softies and hopefully next summer we will be ready to take on the handmade world and perhaps the critics.

xo C

2013.... whats next

Happy New Year!  I realise its February so I am a bit late but better late than never.

Christmas in the Sweet Evie house was a quiet but fun affair with loads of presents for Evie, who, at 18mths, really got the whole concept and now expects presents whenever someone comes to visit and took a few weeks to realise you dont get a present when you wake up every morning. 

The sewing machine has had a big break... it needed it.  Despite my plans to launch a huge amount of new ideas straight off the bat, I just havent had the energy to sew and frankly, I just didnt want to.

When I sat down and thought about the last couple of years since starting Sweet Evie I realised why my passion has waned.  I'm not being true to me.  I have been so caught up pleasing everyone, I'm not creating in ways that I want.

So, 2013 will be about defining the Sweet Evie brand.  Perhaps for some of you, that may mean we dont suit your taste anymore and we will be sorry if you decide to hit unlike, but for me our growing numbers have been proof people like seeing and owning what I make not about how high the number climbs anyway. I hope you will all stick around and watch us change and see where this will take us.

So changes. Sadly, the first  change I will be making is stopping custom orders.  This wont be forever, I love being given your ideas to create but for now I need to serve only one creative master - me!  Custom orders are also a huge chunk of additional time and that is more time away from my family.  Leading up to christmas I spent so much time working on orders that I couldnt devote any time to my family and with a husband who works away for half the time and a daughter who is at such a precious and important age, something has to give.

Secondly, we are saying goodbye to our baby and nusery products and all of our current doll ranges.  Looking forward they simply dont fit with what I am trying to achieve.  In their place will be a few new things which we will be trialling.  Most importantly will be the addition of more clothing to our range.

Clothing and toys will be released in limited ranges so not all our products will appear at once.  In an effort to improve our quality and offer a larger quantity each season will only offer a few clothing designs and two toy designs.  Hopefully this allows me to focus and stop dissapointing people when they cant own one of our items.

Please bare with us while we make changes and remember that behind the scenes my life goes on.  I dont generally share too much of my private goings on with Sweet Evie so you wouldnt have seen we moved house or had some huge changes late in the year but like you, Im just a Mum/Partner/Person and the world doesnt stop because  I need to sew.

I really want Sweet Evie to become a brand I love and a job I live for and I hope you join us on this journey.  I promise to give you my all if you promise to like my posts and comment on things to keep us on your feeds.

Xox C

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