Tea & Chat with My Mini Pinny
Hello! Great to have you here, the kettle’s just boiled – what would you like to drink?
I’ll have an Earl Grey tea please, thank you!
So, tell us a bit about yourself and your business.
I’m Anna and I love sewing. Three years ago I founded a local sewing circle which led to seeing if I could turn my hobby in to a business, hence ‘My Mini Pinny’ was born. When I’m not sewing I love spending time in the garden, with my family bouncing on the trampoline while I quietly tend to some bulbs is my idea of heaven.
What inspired you to start your creative business? How did it all begin?
I started the sewing circle because sewing can be a very solitary task and I wanted to share my enthusiasm for it with others. The success of the sewing circle took me by surprise and it gave me the confidence to have a go at starting my own creative business.
How has your business changed and developed since it started?
I have a much clearer direction of what is right for the brand. When I started out I was uncertain of what designs and fabrics would be popular but my suspicions have been confirmed and I now buy with much more confidence! The truth is my customers all have really great taste and even with bespoke orders, I’m never disappointed with the fabric that is sent my way and see all sorts!
Where do you draw inspiration from for your designs and product range?
I have always loved very bright designs. I love striking colour combinations too like fuscia with lime or orange with aqua. My love of gardening takes me to Kew Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show regularly so there is a clear botanical inspiration in lots of my chosen fabrics.
What are you working on at the moment? Anything new coming up in your on-line shop?
I’m working on pinafore dresses. My pinny customers have loved their pinnies and have asked if I could make a dress design from my beautiful fabrics. I am also working on expanding my age range.
So, where does all this takes place? What’s your workspace like?
In my studio! I started out in my kitchen but now have a dedicated space which overlooks the garden and is flooded with natural light, tactile oak worktop and white units that let my fabric collection sing out from behind the glass cupboard doors.
What do you like most about running your own handmade business?
I like the creative freedom, I love hearing from happy customers and seeing their photos and I like the peace and stillness of working alone.
What are your plans for your creative business for the future?
To keep answering customer’s requests. For example when I started out, I wasn’t making grown up pinnies but due to popular demand this is now one of our most successful lines.