“Freckles and Fancy started on a borrowed serger and a fold out table that I would put away after each nap,” shop owner Kat Lavery recalled. “Then, I got a little corner of my basement and would put away my fabric in a single plastic tote. Now, I have two rooms full of fabric, industrial machinery and a giant cutting table.” Just celebrating its third birthday on February 25, Freckles and Fancy has reached the big leagues of small shops.
The shop is home to brightly colored peplums and dresses, holiday-themed pajamas, hoodies and rompers, and monochrome leggings and bummie shorts, just to name a few. “Stripes and florals will always have my heart. My mom still makes fun of me for my obsession with stripes,” Lavery laughed. You have probably seen Freckles and Fancy’s signature red truck bum flap holiday pajamas. “It has been a crazy popular design over the past two seasons and I think we will bring it back again for Christmas 2019,” she said. For me, the bunny raglans and dresses are so adorable for Easter.
The Freckles and Fancy designs, much like the shop name, are playful and “reflect the fun of childhood, sun, and the life of being little.” Lavery draws inspiration from all over. “Sometimes finding a piece of trim or fabric will dictate the piece. I love seeing where it takes me.” Like many moms, Lavery is also heavily influenced by her own three kiddos. “They won’t wear anything that is not comfy,” she explained. “It has to be at the comfort level of pajamas or they won’t wear it. So, the biggest thing for me is cute and comfy. I am way more adventurous with pattern and style choices for kids clothing.”
Lavery found a passion for sewing when she was just a tot herself. “My mom still has little bunny and kitten that I made when I was only five years old. I have always kept busy sewing or crocheting ever since I was a little girl,” she said. “When my twins were born, we were stationed in a very small town without much access to cute children shops. I got tired of my limited options and started to learn how to sew kids clothing. I absolutely loved making all the adorable outfits for my girls.” This sewing background lends itself well to handcrafting apparel for Freckles and Fancy. “I love making every pattern with my own twist. Very rarely, I will leave it as pattern calls for it and not change a thing,” Lavery shared. “Next step would be drafting my own patterns, but I can’t draw for the life of me so I think I need to learn digital programs first.”
Wish Freckles and Fancy a happy third birthday in the shop’s Insiders Facebook group and check out all the latest offerings on Freckles and Fancy’s website and Etsy shop. Plus, use the code “frecklesandfancy” to save on your next purchase – thanks Kat!
Leave a Comment