Make time - meet Clothkits
Posted by Joelle
February 24, 2008
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I’m filled with a mixture of relief and excitement tonight, after visiting the Clothkits launch at the Kids.Modern show today. Turns out I was actually kind of nervous about it. I’ve got such warm nostalgia for the old 70s brand, and had long harboured ideas about trying to relaunch a similar thing, so I was worried that the new owner, Kay Mawer, and the new designs would not live up to my high hopes.
I needn’t have worried. Just look at these delicious dresses hanging in a row - fresh bright colours, sturdy corduroy, linen and cotton. The first range of prints by designer Jane Foster are just perfect, with Scandinavian inspired geometric flowers and folksy birds and I love Annabel Waterman’s colour-in Russian dolls design. They seem to pull off the tricky feat of harking back to the most loved old designs (like my old animal print dungarees), but with a modern look to them as well with zingy colours and simple shapes.
For anyone not familiar with the Clothkits concept, these are kits with fabric that has the clothes pattern screenprinted on to it and come with all the gubbins you need, so rather than faffing with sheets of paper and hunting down a matching zip, you just cut out the pieces and sew them up. A concept ripe for renewal with today’s modern time-stretched crafters in mind, I reckon.
Kay has done a few of the other things I had in mind when I was dreaming up a similar idea too - the dolly kit with her own clothes you can sew; the online gallery and forum for what will surely become a strong community of fans; the option to get the clothes made up already if you don’t fancy sewing them; patterns that children can colour and embellish with fabric pens; and an interesting line up of designers.
I’m excited to be the first customer to buy one of the adult kits, soon to be sewn to a cute red cord A-line skirt with a bird on it and a Liberty print lining. Of course I promise to post some pictures once I’m done.
Meanwhile, check out the website for the first designs, and look out soon for new collections including boys clothes and grown up skirts with a gorgeous Rob Ryan print.
February 24th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I think its lovely of you to be so positive, when you could be fed up at them ’stealing’ your idea! It looks a lovely range of stuff though. Perhaps, rather than acting on ideas yourself, you should be a trend-spotter and sell your ideas on to other people. You seem to be good at spotting the ‘next thing’.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Ah but they couldn’t have stolen it - we must have been thinking simultaneously about it. My wish was more that I could buy Clothkits patterns again, rather than to be the one to set it up, so since its been done so well, I’m pleased as punch.
I have a whole list of pie in the sky ideas right now that I am currently not in a position to do, so maybe there is something in your suggestion! Converted double decker bus flats for first time buyers anyone?
February 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
That’s really ace. Generally when things come back, they are worse, so that is indeed a relief. It’s a shame more revivals in all art forms don’t pay attention to the spirit of the original - seems kinda an obvious first step when reviving doesnt it? Like the 80s in fashion now, done really soullessly and mass produced
February 25th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Oh wow! Look forward to seeing your skirt, I found it on the website and it looks lovely - looking forward to seeing the finished item! :)
February 25th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I love that skirt. It’s a shame the pound is so strong, making these kits very expensive from an American standpoint, but they are gorgeous and I bet I could make a skirt that actually fits me - all my other skirts fit in places and are too big elsewhere. In fact I am thinking of taking one of my skirts out at the hem and re-sewing to fit my shape but am worried I’ll make a hash of it!
February 26th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Do it! Maybe try it with a cheap / old skirt first that you don’t care as much about. But do it!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Clothkits and Rob Ryan is the dreamiest combination!
I too am breathing a sigh of relief that their designs are as nice as they should be. And their website is really kind of clunky and seventies too!
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 am
Hello, I just came across your gorgeous blog through Clothkits! I live in Australia now, I run a children’s craft/design business here, but I grew up in the UK with Clothkits too, very exciting that they have made a comeback!
March 5th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Hi Allison
Thanks for your comment. How exciting to have a visitor from the Lark! I really like your site - your vintage fabric hot water bottle cover was in the Christmas guide we ran. Of course you’d have been a Clothkits kid!