Gilbert mom Jen Wilson’s business, All Sewn Up was born from her love of sewing. Her goal: to offer moms affordably priced specialty items for babies and breastfeeding.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was a home economics major at Brigham Young University, where I learned how to sew. So, once I had kids I made things for them and I made myself a nursing cover and a sling.
Then I decided I wanted other people to be able to have those things for a reasonable price, so the business just grew out of that — so moms won’t have to pay super-high prices in boutiques. I really just like to make things. If I get to sell some, great! If not, they are just kept in a locker in my house and that’s okay too.
What kind of products do you create?
Slings, nursing covers, burp clothes, these little blankets called tag lovies. There’s a couple other things I’m making now that are not on the website, yet like car seat canopy covers and larger flannel receiving blankets.
How do you balance your work and your family?
I have two kids and one due in about two and a half weeks. I learned when Ethan (he’s my oldest) was really small that I couldn’t really do a whole lot with him awake. One time I was doing a project and he ran away with my scissors. Now that he’s older, he really likes to help me. I let him push buttons on my sewing machine and things like that but I have to do it when Avery is asleep or napping or my husband is home to watch them. Mostly, I try not to do it when they are all awake. I do a lot of sewing at night and at naptime.
It’s actually a really nice stress reliever for me. My son came up to me one day and said, “Mom, I really like the sound of your sewing machine.” I think that’s because I’m always sewing when he’s asleep; they’ve always had it around so they’ve never really been bothered by it. As they grow up, I hope to teach my kids to sew. I think it’s a really important skill and they already know somewhat about how it works.
What are your goals for your business?
In all the things that I do, my family has to be the most important thing. I have to make sure I’m taking care of them before I do anything else. As far as the business goes, I’d like to be able to reach more people and meet more of the people I do deal with in person. I like to do custom work. With the car seat covers, a mother of twins actually contacted me. She didn’t want to buy two sets because they were too expensive so I worked with her to create cheaper custom covers. She bought the supplies and we figured it out hourly. I created the pattern. The creative aspect of that is really nice. I love learning and growing and learning new skills. It’s been a really cool learning experience for me.
What advice would you give for a mom just starting a new at-home business?
I think the most important thing for me has been to be really flexible and understand that the children in my life are the reason I even started doing this. They are the most important thing, so if I can be flexible and work while they’re asleep and take care of them while they’re up, that’s best. I take them with me to buy fabric and it may not be the most super-productive trip but we have fun. That’s good for teaching my children about fabrics and colors, too. I try not to put too much pressure on myself.
This was never going to be a big huge business but it’s important for me to feel like I can pursue my creativity. My family’s been supportive, the kids have been good and I think it’s all working out really well. If it ever gets to the point where there is too much stress or pressure, I take a step back to remember that my family’s the most important thing. It gives me more energy to be able to do my creative thing.
It’s a really healthy outlet, I think, to be able to have something that’s important to you. It really does help you keep your peace of mind to have a little outlet as a mom.
To learn more about All Sewn Up or to contact Jen visit, jwsew.blogspot.com.
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