For as long as I can remember I have loved to sew. There was only one problem with it- I didn’t know how to.  My mother, the only sewing teacher I ever had, despises sewing.  She had an ancient Singer sewing machine, and that is what I learned on.

In the late 90s when raves were just coming into the mainstream, along with the raver-inspired clothing (phat pants), I started experimenting with a friend of mine who was studying Costume Design at Halifax’s Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and she was the first person that showed me how to use a pattern to construct a garment and to do something simple- yet something I’d never heard of before- locking a stitch.  I made wonderful, crazy (and now embarrassing) phat pants that I’d wear every day.  After I got over that fashion trend, sewing went by the wayside again.

In 2007, a new stay at home mom, my mother’s sewing machine came to live with me again, and this time I started the successful sustainable baby carrier company G Slings. I worked out of my home and supplied several stores across Canada and sold online until I started working a full time job 18 months later.

Sewing slings allowed me to really hone my skills at… straight stitches. There’s not a lot of talent necessary to sew them, but I really wanted to learn how to do more. Through online tutorials I was able to learn how to sew zipper pouches. Zipper pouches turned to purses, and with all of those skills honed, my confidence rose.

Most importantly, all of the materials I’d been using for G Slings, my zipper pouches and purses were reclaimed.  I’d started collecting bits and pieces of fabric here and there, and was able to turn them into useful things.

One cold day in Halifax in late 2008 or early 2009, I saw a man walking down Fuller Terrace with a bandana across his face trying to stay warm.  I loved the look of his covered face, but wondered how useful a thin piece of cotton really was.  I am not a scarf person- I find them bulky, and I never know how to loop it or tie it or whether it should just be stuffed in my jacket just to get caught in my zipper.

I immediately went home and created my first prototype for my ideal scarf. Something that would slip over the head without any ends- just a tube. I’d never heard of a cowl or a neckwarmer before, my idea was organic, even though I realized later that such a thing had existed- even if they were traditionally made of stretchy fleece for skiers or were knitted.  My cowls were designed to fit everyone and to add style to winter wear. I loved the idea of appealing to men who refused to wear a scarf even though they knew it would help them keep warm.  I also loved the idea of offering women a statement piece- an accessory that they could wear as part of their winter wear or as part of their day to day outfit.

Being self-taught, I went through several prototypes, sizes and materials, but I always stayed true to my belief that recycling fabrics, rescuing them from the pits of thrift stores to turn them into something more beautiful, was beneficial to the environment and therefore important to me.

In less than three years I have sold over 1000 cowls to people all over the world. Most popular destinations are fashion capitals New York, NY and Paris, France.

Here is the first cowl I ever sold:

and as of November 2, 2011- the most recent sale.

I’m happy to say that I have perfected my cowls, my sewing skills have increased and I’m working on a much, much better machine (a Janome 1600), that sews a straight line faster than anything else on the market.

Pip Robins is my full time job and my passion. Thank you to that guy wearing a bandana for the inspiration!

Yesterday I spent the day at the Halifax Seaport Market selling my cowls. I love to see so many people love my designs! It’s so inspirational and motivating.  Their enthusiasm makes me enthusiastic.

I got there before the sun rose. It was a long and wonderful day.

This week I took part in Halifax’s ecLoTHES Gala Runway Show and Retail Trunk Sale showcasing sustainable Canadian clothing and accessories designers. It was a wonderful place to meet fellow local designers and take a look at what’s upcoming with fashion in Canada.

My favorite part was being able to see people’s reactions to my work. Because I normally sell to men and women online, it’s rare that I get to hear comments on my cowls or see them on people (except for every single one of my friends, of course!) . The response was overwhelmingly positive, especially for my new line of fringed and satin flowered cowls.  The mustache cowl was the one that sparked the most conversation and laughter- I’m glad it was a hit!

Inspired by this week’s Project Runway and a fabulous winning pleather fringe jacket, I decided to add some fringed cowls to my Fall 2011 collection. Here’s the first of many that I’m working on today!