The Hunt Behind the Handmade

One of the questions I get asked the most at markets is, “You made that?!” So I thought it would be fun to share a little behind-the-scenes look into my process — from thrift store treasure hunting all the way to the finished piece hanging at my booth.

Every top starts with;

THE HUNT.

I spend a lot of time bouncing between thrift stores, church rummage sales, estate sales, and secondhand shops looking for the perfect materials. I always start in the men’s section because that’s where I find the best flannels and graphic tees. I’m constantly searching for graphics that feel fun, funky, nostalgic, weird, colorful, or just different enough to become something new.

And honestly, the kids’ section can be a hidden gem too.

Once I bring everything home, the real process begins.

First, I separate everything into piles — flannels and tops in one area, graphic tees in another. Then I start matching pieces together like a puzzle. Some graphics instantly belong on a certain flannel, while others take a little longer to find their perfect match. Anything that doesn’t fit the vibe that day gets set aside for another future creation.

Once I’ve paired everything up, I start planning the design.

I look at each graphic individually and decide how I want it cut out and placed on the garment. Some graphics look best oversized and bold, while others work better cropped or layered into the design. I carefully cut them out using pinking shears because I love the raw, textured edge it creates.

After that, I pin the graphics onto the tops and bring everything over to my sewing machine. This is where each piece really starts to come to life.

 Sometimes I’ll use a bold contrasting thread to make the stitching part of the design, and other times I’ll keep it subtle with colors that blend right into the graphic.   Once the sewing is finished, I  wash and iron each piece, add my brand tag, and get everything ready for the next market or pop-up event.

That’s the magic of thrifting and upcycling to me — finding potential where other people might not see it yet.