This collection has been out for nearly two months and I am just now getting around to writing this post- so here is the full story of how I created my second Hey Friends The Label line!
This collection all started back in June of 2023. I got the vision of two different pieces- one was just a spin off of my Bonnie dress basically cut in half- and the other for a quilted reversible jacket! I started doodling, getting fabric swatches, and looking into different quilting styles.
I started the jacket first, which came to be quite a challenge because I like to make and sew all of my first samples and I have never attempted to sew a jacket before. About a whole weekend later I had my paper pattern done and a jacket that was ready to be shipped off to my clothing manufacturer in New York!
While they were working on the samples I was busy designing new hang tags, content care labels, and packaging.
There in New York, they make the professional pattern and first sample. A few weeks after this I flew out there for my sample meeting.
I was going into this meeting completely blind. I hadn't seen a single thing- this time around- I never even saw the fabric in person! I was extremely relieved when I tried on both pieces and they fit like a glove! The fabric paired so well together, and I had little to no changes to make on both of them. I dropped the collar a quarter of an inch on the jacket and added nothing to the peplum top- and that was it! I gave the "OK" for production and they were off!
Now you may be wondering- Shaefer what are the names of these two pieces? Whichhhh great question- so the idea for this came from my middle name and my grandma's middle name. These two new pieces are kinda like a duo…. With the matching fabric on each one and how the floral and gingham are totally different patterns and personalities, but still go together so well.
I have absolutely fallen in love with cut and sew production. This is a total passion project that I will forever be sharing. You can always count on Hey Friends and I to bring you unique, sustainable, and timeless pieces.
Go get your own Jean Peplum Top and Carly Quilted Jacket today.
xoxo
Shaef