There’s an art to balancing the extreme demands of motherhood and self fulfillment, and it’s even harder for those women who decide to not only be stay-at-home moms, but also entrepreneurs. Kayla Cunningham, 24, is one of those moms. Mother to 3 children, aged 6 months to 4 years old, she found the drive and inspiration to not only work hard at raising her kids but also to tackle launching a startup business designing and producing children’s clothes.
Becoming a mom for the third time, and not returning to her job as a CNA nuring assistant caring for geriatric patients, she soon realized that she needed to save money however she could.
“It really started when I went to Joann’s, the fabric shop,” she said. “And at the back of store, I came across a workshop in progress where they were learning to cut and sew fabric.”
Kayla explained she was always interested in sewing and so she started making small things she would need for the new baby — like changing pads, double-sided crib blankets and cloth diapers that she prefers to use on her baby.
“Making cloth diapers wasn’t my passion though so I tried my hand at making garments,” she said. “And that’s when I knew I had found my real passion.”
It used to be that when a baby is on the way, all the grandmamas, aunts and family members would start knitting and sewing baby garments.
“That’s not the case these days,” Kayla said. “The children’s clothing industry is blossoming and lots of stores now carry designer-brand children’s fashions but they come at a very high price.
“I suddenly thought being a young mom doesn’t mean that everything has to stop while I take care of the kids,” she said. “I can find self-fulfillment as well and build a small startup business.”
Kayla started to learn more about sewing techniques and sewing machines and experimented making girls and boys outfits blending classic traditional styles with locally sourced fabrics and contrast prints for her own children.
She called her enterprise “Sew Sweet Southern” and started posting photos of her designs on Facebook.
“Other mothers began enquiring about the garments and asking if I could make outfits for their children,” she said. “That’s when my little startup business started to take off.”
Kayla’s inspiration comes from everything vintage. She loves plaid and lace, polka dots, lots and lots of layers and ruffles.
“I mostly sell through my Facebook page but I also get a lot of orders from moms I meet locally or at children’s groups,” said Kayla.
Kayla’s “workshop” where she makes her creations is the converted dining room in her home. It’s stacked with fabrics and notions and a huge dry marker board to keep track of her orders.
“I can’t waste any time I have,” she said. “I need to be with my kids all day and that doesn’t leave me much time to work, so I mostly sew in the evenings when they’ve gone to sleep.”
Kayla emphasized that she didn’t want to miss any of those treasured moments as her kids grow up.
“They’re important, and I can’t get them back,” she said.
Kayla’s collections are vintage inspired and totally customized to her clients’ wishes. She even makes outfits for newborns and for toddlers to teens.
Some of her customers send her pictures from magazines or websites like Etsy where there are unique designs for house, home and clothing. They like the style but not the fabric and so they ask Kayla to reproduce a similar garment in a particular fabric or color.
When Kayla receives an enquiry to design and produce an outfit, she visits the customer and meets the child. She takes measurements and gets specifics about what the customer wants down to whatever color thread is desired. Is the outfit for a special occasion? Does the customer want sleeves, layers and ruffles for example. She also talks about what the customer has in mind to accessorize the outfit.
“I also makes hair bows and bands to match dresses for little girls,” she said.
Prices for Kayla’s creations depend on style, fabric and intricacy of stitching required. A simply-cut boy’s vest can range from $20 to $30 and girl’s dresses from $35 to $100s depending on what the customer wants.
Because her range of clothing is all handmade, she can also offer made-to-order children’s outfits nationwide.
“Tell me the style of clothing and the fabrics you like and I’ll produce it for you.”
Small startup businesses like Kayla’s should be an inspiration to all stay-at-home moms.
Kayla caters to the whole of the Tampa Bay area.
Editor’s Note: Everything Kayla designs and produces is made from fabrics certified compliant for children’s safety.
SEW SWEET SOUTHERN
Check out Kayla’s designs at https://www.facebook.com/sewsweetsouthern.
Phone: (813) 787-8225
Email: KCunningham2799@gmail.com
Always Open