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Spots & Stripes (and things OH so nice)
About us
My name is Gemma, I am mummy to Olivia and Harry and wife to Mark. I have been sewing for as long as I can remember. I have items I have made that I've scribbled ‘aged 8’ on, but I'm sure I was sewing younger than this. I was forever at my Grans house raiding her pillow case collection so I could work on my next project. I had the best dressed Barbie’s ever! Once I had mastered hand sewing, I was given my first sewing machine which was an old Singer sewing machine with the handle rather than a pedal. It was a heavy beast of a machine but I didn’t care – it was mine and I loved it! I literally spent every spare hour sewing. One summer I remember making all my friends cushions, spending the summer in the garden cutting, designing and stitching. It was where I was the most happiest. Naturally I chose to do GCSE Textiles and when I was 15, I got my first electric sewing machine which was it was my pride and joy. I widened my skill base and made costumes for dance shows, a huge patchwork blanket and even more cushions! I was often asked the question as to whether I would continue sewing on at college but I chose to keep it as a hobby. I could only visualise myself making clothes in a factory and this would have taken away the fun of it! The designing and playing with fabrics was part of what made it exciting.
Upon leaving school I went to college to complete a GNVQ and A-Levels and then onto a nursery to do a NVQ. After 2 years I decided this wasn’t the path I wanted to take afterall and went to uni and completed a BA (Hons) in Education Studies obtaining a 2:1 all whilst working full time in a computer company working my way from receptionist to PA to the Operations Direction and Team Leader on the I.T Helpdesk – there is a lot to be said about mature students (yes at 21 years old I was considered mature!). I completed my degree, continued working at the computer company and settled into a happy home life with my now husband. I still enjoyed making things... show more for friends and family but my machine was getting old however after buying a house it wasn’t top priority to get a new one.
My daughter was born in July 2009 and I went back to work when she was 10 months old but soon found out I was expecting our son who was due (and born) in August 2011. In July 2011, after making a few items to dress my daughter’s bedroom to cure the boredom of being on maternity leave, I realised how much I had missed sewing and asked for a new machine for my 30th later that year. I was delighted when my sister got me one with the help of other relatives and I couldn’t wait to get started! A month on and I had made dresses, bags, purses, soft toys….you name it, I had tried it and was back in the swing of it!
By this point my house was over-run with handmade goodies and my daughter had more dresses than she had time to wear so someone suggested I sell them! I wasn’t sure – there are 1000’s of similar businesses so how would I stand out from the rest? I decided to take the plunge and Spots & Stripes (and things OH so nice was born). I got my name quite simply because the first two bundles of fabric I purchased were spots and stripes. My friend suggested the latter part with O and H meaning Olivia and Harry. I started off small, tote bags, coin purses, taggie blankets and nappy wallets all whilst playing with designs and teaching myself how to work with more complicated patterns.
The first 2 bags I made were The Debs and The Emma. They both challenged my skill base but gave me a perfect chance to expand. Before long I had a whole range of bags and purses and this is growing daily. I rarely use a pattern these days and can make most bags from memory. My favourite bag to make is still The Emma bag but I love creating new ones from scratch as well as making bespoke bags designed by the customer. I pride myself on creating bespoke bags no one else will have. I never make two bags exactly the same to ensure the bag purchased remains unique to you. During my second year I added patterns to my collection for others to purchase and at the start of my third year I started to think about offering sewing lessons. Due to time restraints this is yet to take off but with Harry due to start pre-school in the autumn I will have more to expand this area of the business.
I am glad I took the plunge because I am now half way through my 3rd year and I love every minute of it and I am growing daily. I am using the office skills I learnt from working at the computer company for all my admin, and it helps I am naturally organised and a little OCD! It fits perfectly around my two children and I just love the busy side of running my own business. I am fortunate to have a very supportive husband who allowed me to give up work and concentrate on Spots & Stripes (and things OH so nice) full time. He even let me build a cabin in the garden to turn into an office! I couldn’t imagine life any other way now!
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Upon leaving school I went to college to complete a GNVQ and A-Levels and then onto a nursery to do a NVQ. After 2 years I decided this wasn’t the path I wanted to take afterall and went to uni and completed a BA (Hons) in Education Studies obtaining a 2:1 all whilst working full time in a computer company working my way from receptionist to PA to the Operations Direction and Team Leader on the I.T Helpdesk – there is a lot to be said about mature students (yes at 21 years old I was considered mature!). I completed my degree, continued working at the computer company and settled into a happy home life with my now husband. I still enjoyed making things... show more for friends and family but my machine was getting old however after buying a house it wasn’t top priority to get a new one.
My daughter was born in July 2009 and I went back to work when she was 10 months old but soon found out I was expecting our son who was due (and born) in August 2011. In July 2011, after making a few items to dress my daughter’s bedroom to cure the boredom of being on maternity leave, I realised how much I had missed sewing and asked for a new machine for my 30th later that year. I was delighted when my sister got me one with the help of other relatives and I couldn’t wait to get started! A month on and I had made dresses, bags, purses, soft toys….you name it, I had tried it and was back in the swing of it!
By this point my house was over-run with handmade goodies and my daughter had more dresses than she had time to wear so someone suggested I sell them! I wasn’t sure – there are 1000’s of similar businesses so how would I stand out from the rest? I decided to take the plunge and Spots & Stripes (and things OH so nice was born). I got my name quite simply because the first two bundles of fabric I purchased were spots and stripes. My friend suggested the latter part with O and H meaning Olivia and Harry. I started off small, tote bags, coin purses, taggie blankets and nappy wallets all whilst playing with designs and teaching myself how to work with more complicated patterns.
The first 2 bags I made were The Debs and The Emma. They both challenged my skill base but gave me a perfect chance to expand. Before long I had a whole range of bags and purses and this is growing daily. I rarely use a pattern these days and can make most bags from memory. My favourite bag to make is still The Emma bag but I love creating new ones from scratch as well as making bespoke bags designed by the customer. I pride myself on creating bespoke bags no one else will have. I never make two bags exactly the same to ensure the bag purchased remains unique to you. During my second year I added patterns to my collection for others to purchase and at the start of my third year I started to think about offering sewing lessons. Due to time restraints this is yet to take off but with Harry due to start pre-school in the autumn I will have more to expand this area of the business.
I am glad I took the plunge because I am now half way through my 3rd year and I love every minute of it and I am growing daily. I am using the office skills I learnt from working at the computer company for all my admin, and it helps I am naturally organised and a little OCD! It fits perfectly around my two children and I just love the busy side of running my own business. I am fortunate to have a very supportive husband who allowed me to give up work and concentrate on Spots & Stripes (and things OH so nice) full time. He even let me build a cabin in the garden to turn into an office! I couldn’t imagine life any other way now!
show more
3 recommendations and reviews from 1 person
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Referral from
October 19, 2013
Thepinkfairycake asked:HELP NEEDED !! I have a lovely lady looking for gorgeous Xmas stockings !!! Please tag your page if you can help :) Thank you xxxGemma C. replied:Www.facebook.com/handmadebyspotsandstripes Spots & Stripes (and things OH so nice) My name is Gemma, I am mummy to Olivia and Harry and wife to Mark. I have been s...ewing for as long as I can remember. I have items I have made that I've scribbled ‘aged 8’ on, but I'm sure I was sewing younger than this. I was forever at my Grans house raiding her pillow case collection so I could wo...See more Small Business: 4,095 like this.
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Referral from
September 30, 2013
The F. asked:HELP!!!!!!!!!! "Having my second child and need a bigger changing bag! I would like one with a long shoulder strap and a couple of internal pockets but most importantly it must be quite big?? Looking to spend no more than £30 ideally. Thanks x" So can you help? Do you know a page who can? Comment on this status and don't forget your all important links to your super duper stalls! xxxGemma C. replied:I do them - they are more than £30 but they can made to fit your exact requirements! Www.facebook.com/handmadebyspotsandstripes Spots & Stripes (and things OH so nice) My name is Gemma, I am mummy to Olivia and Harry and wife to Mark. I have been s...ewing for as long as I can remember. I have items I have made that I've scribbled ‘aged 8’ on, but I'm sure I was sewing younger than this. I was forever at my Grans house raiding her pillow case collection so I could wo...See More Page: 4,038 like this
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Referral from
September 5, 2013
Crafters c. asked:## NEW BAG WANTED ## Looking for a new bag would love some recommendations! It's for uni so needs to be roomy! Thanks x I know for a fact there are a fair few of you with beautiful bags x
Gemma C. replied:Bags are my speciality! Any shape, any fabric (order in for more choice), any fastening etc! Build your own bag to suit you Www.facebook.com/handmadebyspotsandstripes xx
Recommendations from Gemma C.
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