Oh Shit! I Did It. Now What?

So, I graduated, moved to a new town, and bought myself two new sewing machines. Now what?

I knew I wanted to design clothes for real women. Women like me who are always on the go, who want to be comfortable and casual but still look good and feel even better. I wanted to create fun clothes that make women smile and feel good about what they see in the mirror and not focus on the negative. 

I wanted my creations to be a small part of creating a better, more confident world for all types of women. 

But I still have so much to learn. I spent hours, days, and months in my sewing room working on different creations. I designed the Hooded Ego without sleeves, and I was pumped about how it looked and felt. I loved how it was super versatile and unique.

I started making them for myself, and every time I wore them out, people would stop me and ask me where I got my dress from. I was shocked and not sure what to say. No one says this when I wear my designer stuff from London.

It looked great on me, but what about all the other beautiful shapes and sizes out there?

Then my friend paid for me to do a Mother's Day market in Fernie and told me I had to do it. I was so scared. I was not ready. I needed more time. I needed to be better. You know, the usual negative stuff we all tell ourselves.

My friend was not impressed and said she has three kids, and I can't waste her money. It's not an option I am going, and I have two weeks to get stock made. She is not one to argue with, so I did just that.

It’s scary putting yourself out there.

For the next two weeks, I sewed every hour I was awake, and I made 20 dresses, all in one style (the Hooded Ego without sleeves) and all in size small—I had no idea how to make other sizes.

Fashion school was amazing, but we didn't make clothes for other bodies; it was either our own or a models. I was an expert at no boobs, long waist, long arms, haha. 

Anyway, I sold 5, and the response was fantastic. I was pumped. Yay, I did it! I put myself out there; it was scary, but I did it, and I learned so much.

Entering a world I knew nothing about.

Markets, shows, and festivals are unique, special places filled with incredible talent and beautiful creations. They are excellent opportunities for small businesses to showcase their products or services and reach a wider audience.

I love doing shows, seeing different people with various body frames, ages, and styles try on my designs and love what they see in the mirror. It gives me so much confidence and motivation to keep on growing the business. 

I love travelling to different places to show my fun prints, and to get the word out there that long is flattering. It has been a fantastic opportunity to help grow the business and to reach a wider audience. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has come to see me at one of these events; it means so much. Thanks for reading. 

Learn more about The Untamed Sizes.