Lauren Calhoun is punny. “I brainstormed all kinds of names and knew I wanted to include the word ‘sew’ somehow using a play on words,” explained the designer behind small shop Sew Sweet It Is. “I thought I was pretty clever naming my business after the Marvin Gaye song, ‘So Sweet It Is’ until my husband later informed me that the song lyrics were actually ‘HOW sweet it is to be loved by you…’ Either way, the logos were already made and that was my business name, but I still love it.”
Sew Sweet It Is specializes in feminine dresses adorned with girly ruffles and bows. “I love taking a basic pattern and changing it up with trims, sleeve lengths, ruffles, buttons, you name it,” Calhoun exclaimed. “Pattern mixing is my passion and there is always something new to try.” She started sewing while pregnant with her daughter, Piper. “At that point, I was pretty much only sewing straight lines, but I wanted to make her clothes. I am thankful to friends, YouTube and sewing groups for helping me get started sewing girls clothes (which was a new ballgame compared to the pillows I was making),” Calhoun laughed. “It was so fun and addicting that I wanted to make more, so I started sewing for friends, trying to pay for this ‘hobby.’ Now, I am thrilled to be a part of several designer showcases and am excited about some new opportunities on the horizon.” Many of Calhoun’s designs are driven by different fabric options. “Fabric is my first inspiration, so I am in several fabric groups getting new releases and visit my local stores enough that they know me and my daughter pretty well. I also get inspired from other seamstresses and how they use patterns, trims and fabric placement.”
These days, Piper’s closet is full of original Sew Sweet It Is creations. “I am pretty proud to look at my daughter’s wardrobe and say that I have made most of it. Everything I design, it is because I love it and would want my daughter to wear it,” said Calhoun. “I love sewing for all the seasons and challenging myself with new techniques and fabrics. I sew mainly for girls and it is so much fun making extra frilly things that adult women can’t pull off.” A small shopper herself, Calhoun also prides herself in supporting other makers. “I love the phrase ‘Her success is not your failure.’ I love cheering on other businesses and working together to build one another up,” she professed. “I love to buy things I don’t make from other small shops, like bubblegum necklaces and bows. I have met so many awesome boutique owners and love to collaborate in giveaways, promos and made to match items. We are all in it together and to have fun, so let’s stop being jealous.”
Calhoun is designing for Halloween and Christmas now. Think plaids, peplum and short sets and suspender skirts. Also in the works, “a little break for me as we are expecting our second baby in late October. Another girl!” How sweet it is! Join the Sew Sweet It Is Facebook group here to place custom orders before the holidays.
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