My name is Crystal Waters, and I was born and raised in a small town in central Vermont. I’ve lived in a lot of places throughout my previous career as a writer/editor (and a little bit of this one) – New York City, Texas, San Francisco, and most recently, Maryland – and last year, moved back to Vermont and brought my sewing studio with me. I’m proud to be able to bring a growing business back to my home state of Vermont, and look forward to expanding and doing what I can to help grow the local economy.

I decided to name my company VermontSewn to describe where I’m from and the products I make. I launched the site to also highlight other companies and individuals in the state of Vermont that design and produce sewn products, from bow ties to diapers to quilts to teddy bears and everything in between.

Where has all the sewing gone?

When I first started my business in 2005, I thought that once I decided to expand, I’d simply look in the phone book and find a sewing contractor to help take on production. When I was growing up, sewing factories were all over the state, in what seemed like every town, and were a strong part of our local economy. But just like so many other industries, outsourcing became a financially desirable alternative to production in the U.S. Sewing contractors have become scarce not only in Vermont, but across the whole country, even in the fashion centers of New York and LA. And many companies that once sewed their products inhouse now get their products made in other countries.

And just speaking for myself, as much as I’d like to be all gung ho and only support companies here at home, the fact is that if I take inventory, the only article of clothing I have on that was made in the USA is the fleece top I made myself. It seems like these days, unless you’re wealthy enough to buy couture, or ambitious enough to sew your own wardrobe, few choices are available even to the most well-meaning consumers.

Companies like the Vermont Teddy Bear Company and Beau Ties of Vermont are two of a few notable exceptions to the rule of outsourcing by mid-sized and large Vermont sewn-product companies. Despite their decision to keep manufacturing within their own walls, both companies make a healthy profit. Beau Ties of Vermont, for example, has 30 employees, brings in over $2 million in sales a year, and are an inspiration to many other designers. Read this article about their success [PDF file] and you’ll see why these and other Vermont companies have inspired me to do my best to do the same.

Making a living wage by sewing – can it be done?

Vermont is beautiful, and it’s also a tough place to live. It can be a difficult place to make a living wage no matter what business you’re in. One-person companies like mine sometimes have to find creative ways to sustain us through tough times, like a tough winter with larger-than-ever fuel bills. Health insurance and gas prices are through the roof. It’s a huge responsibility and challenge to take on helping to support not only the local economy, but our own household.

I’ve taken up a new challenge to find willing and qualified help to make sewn products. I know you are out there, it’s finding you that’s the tough part! I started gathering up all this information on this site about companies in Vermont because I’ve heard rumors of sewing cooperatives and WAHM sewing networks and I wanted to find out more. There are even a couple sewing factories still tucked away in Vermont. I’m hoping that there may even be some people who would like to learn to do production sewing in order to add to their income and maybe even start their own home-based business, whether they help me out or others. Maybe fewer people would leave Vermont if there were opportunities to live a financially secure life here.

Production sewing (sometimes called industrial sewing) can be rewarding, but don’t be fooled – it’s not even close to being like Project Runway (although it would certainly help you as a contestant if you got on the show). So, if you think you’re interested in production sewing, read this. Then, if you’re still interested in production sewing, drop me a note at crystal at vermontsewn dot com.

Even if you’re not interested in making money by sewing products, it’s a fun skill to have. Don’t tell anyone, but it’s sewing is pretty easy if you’re willing to give it a try. If you’re interested in learning to sew or to improve your skills, check out the sewing classes links on the “Other Vermont Companies” page. [currently being repaired]

Vermont is a state I love. I could not look upon the peaks of Ascutney, Killington and Mansfield without being moved in a way that no other scene could move me. It was here that I first saw the light of day, here that I received my bride. Here my dead lie buried, pillowed among the everlasting hills. I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all, I love her because of her indomitable people. They are a race of pioneers who almost impoverished themselves for love of others. If ever the spirit of liberty should vanish from the rest of the Union, it could be restored by the generous share held by the people in this brave little State of Vermont. - Calvin Coolidge, U.S. President, born in Plymouth, Vermont. New York Herald Tribune, Saturday, September 22, 1928