Looking back, it's hard to believe I accidentally started a business eight years ago. Back then it was called Milk Teeth Clothing, and both my business and my life looked very different. Starting MTC as a single parent with a small toddler in tow, I was fuelled purely on caffeine and praying for a long nap time. I would work through the night and look after my son during the day. Sewing in any free time, mainly nap times, that I could find.
It all started with making clothes for my son. I never intended to start a business, but before I knew it people were asking if they could buy them too, and what began as a creative outlet quickly became Milk Teeth Clothing. What started as leggings for baby and toddlers, grew into headbands, bows, hats, and more. As my son grew, so did my business and I continued to design and make children's clothing and accessories for a few years.
As my son grew up I started to realise I wasn't in that baby and toddler stage of my life anymore and I felt pulled in a different direction. My Pinterest boards slowly filled with linen dresses instead of baby outfits. As much as I loved my job I really missed sewing for myself, it wasn't until I started exploring that for myself again that it sparked something in me and for a long time I felt guilty about wanting something different, but eventually I realised that businesses can grow alongside us and sometimes they need to.
I have learnt so much professionally sewing pretty much every day for the last 8 years, it has given me so much confidence in my sewing and pattern making skills.
I'd forgotten how satisfying it was to make something simply because I loved it. There was no customer in mind, no trend to follow, just garments that reflected my own style and the clothes I reached for again and again. I made the scary decision to rebrand as Jordan Elizabeth Studio. It felt like the right direction I was being drawn to. Exploring slow fashion, choosing fabrics I genuinely love and creating pieces I want to wear.
Why not stick to just selling finished garments? Well, I love the design and making process. My hope is that these patterns become more than just instructions. I hope they encourage someone to dust off a sewing machine that's been sitting in the corner, to choose a beautiful fabric they've been saving, or to experience the quiet satisfaction that comes from making something with their own hands. One pattern can become hundreds of different garments, each reflecting the person who made it, and I think there's something incredibly special about that.
If you've ever seen one of my garments and thought, "I'd love to make something like that," then these patterns are for you. I can't wait to see how you make them your own.
Jordan x
