The process of creating a business has been both daunting and exciting. Daunting because of all the skills that I've had to acquire (and are in the process of acquiring).
And exciting because this idea has been bubbling around for more than a year. When I started sewing about four years ago, I watched YouTube videos, bought books, went to local classes, bought patterns at the big box fabric store (when they had a dollar sale, I stocked up). I bought fabric from all the major online fabric stores and sewed. I sewed almost every day. And I loved it.
I focused on shirt-making since I wear button up shirts every day and I love the simplicity of the details but the exacting skills it takes to make a shirt.
And most of all, I loved the fabric. Good cotton shirting became a passion. I loved the feel, the way it sewed, the potential for beauty in every yard.
All of the online sources for fabrics were good, but not great. Shirting was a small part of the inventory and there weren't many details in the listings. Some of the fabric was good, some was great, but some was bad. Suitable for pockets, or bindings or even muslin, but not for a beautiful shirt with a crisp hand feel, slight sheen, perfect points on the collar.
And with these frustrations in mind, I've designed this business for makers like me. Devoted to improving our skills and bringing a perfect garment to life. For more than a year I've been preparing. Conceiving what this business can be, how it will operate, what it can mean to a home sewist who wants a curated collection of the best menswear fabrics available.
I've taken a course in small business for creatives taught by the AMAZING Kelly Hogaboom. I've admired Kelly for a long time and it was an honor to be a part of their first Whole Enchilada business course. I'll write more in the future about my experience in this course. If you want to know more about Kelly or The Whole Enchilada course, check out their website and sign up for the mailing list. It is well worth your time.
This is my promise to you: Taylor & Hart will offer only the best fabrics for menswear projects. No fabric will be sold that has not been washed (when appropriate), dried, and sewn with. My one wish for each person who visits is that they see and realize the potential in every beautiful yard.
I hope you feel this every time you place an order, see a pattern suggestion, sew a muslin, or send me a message.
Welcome. I'm excited to get started.
Kevin Gervais
Founder
Taylor & Hart Fabrics LLC