Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julianna Williamson-Green. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Julianna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

In 2020, my then boyfriend and I moved to Western North Carolina on a whim. It was time for a change of scenery and the Smokey Mountains just ticked all the right boxes. By the fall, I had started working at the retail store Anthropologie, in Asheville. This was my first time being around clothing in a formal way and I was given the opportunity to learn about style trends, form and fit, and different types of fabric with in their brand.

It was with all the new knowledge and being around beautiful clothing that I started experimenting in my spare time with making clothing. I distinctly remember going on Pinterest and seeing all of these quilt jackets, and falling in love. I loved the different patterns on the quilts, how chunky and cozy the jackets looked, and I just kept thinking, “I want one!”.

But as I searched, I could not find one I wanted to buy, so I went to Joanne’s and found a pattern. Next stop was a vintage store to find the right fabric. After quite a few stops I ended up in an antique store in downtown Waynesville, where I live. In the back of this store there were cabinets overflowing with quilts and duvets. All different patterns and colors. It was really too much! I picked out a dark blue duvet quilt with greens and red touches in the quilts pattern.

At this point, I only had my home economics sewing class to work off of for reference but figured it was worth a try. I cut all the pieces out on the floor and I pushed my beginner Singer sewing machine probably past where it was meant to go. I even ended up adding binding. Was it perfect? Far from it but, I made it. It is now my house coat and mostly lives in my closet, but I like to pull it out every once in a while to see how far I’ve come.

Ultimately, sewing is the only hobby that has stuck. I started my clothing brand from a quilt jacket I made on the floor. From there my collection became just that, many items I had made over a short span of time. In a way, it came about on its own. Just curiosity playing it self out.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those of you who do not know me, Hi, my name is Julianna. I am the owner, creator, designer, and fabricator for the small batch clothing company, Plain Jane Glory. I design oversized pieces using strictly secondhand, vintage, antique, and dead-stock fabrics. the fabric often feature floral designs, but I do try an incorporate more whimsical items like tea towels, pillow cases, lace, and so on.

I did not study design in college. In fact, all my sewing knowledge I received in middle school during my home economics class. I believe we learned how to make a pillow and a duffel bag. Since then I have been learning more about the design and sewing fields through youtube, readings, and simple practice.

My first project in my adult life, was a quilt jacket. From there I made a piece for a friend and then expanded to trying other designs. During my first full year of business (2023), I let my imagination take me where it pleased. I made shirts, jackets, pants, dresses, skirts, and shorts. Each piece was different in design and the fabrics varied greatly. This year, 2024, the scale of production will be smaller and more specific. Fewer designs but truly unique pieces. I want the pieces to be fun but I also want the customer to know what they are going to get.

Within that creative world, I also make custom items for customers. If someone wants a very specific piece, we can work on the design together and make sure it is exactly what they want. I also provide tailoring services to local customers. I know from working in retail that there are standards for fashion. But the human body is not standardized. That is where I, or your own local tailor, come in. I love helping a customer alter their pieces so they fit THEM just right.

I would love to say that what I am creating is ground breaking, but it is not. Sewing has been around for 20,000 years, give or take a few. I think what is special about what I am doing is the level of thought and time I put into the items. But more than that, when I meet people at events, they are taken aback that I make the items. The act of creating something with your hands is special to people. What I enjoy about it most is, I feeling I am providing something beautiful and useful to others.

Each item is different and unique. When someone picks out a piece, it really feels like that item was meant for them.

I strongly believe in using fabrics that already exist rather than buying new. There is so much waste in the world, I like to think I am doing my bit by repurposing materials.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

When I first started, I mostly sold at markets and small business events. During my first few markets, I had a lot of people ask me about tailoring and alterations. Tailoring is now another a supplemental revenue stream for my small business. There are a few months at the beginning of the year that are slow. Everyone is catching their breathe from the holidays and outdoor markets have not started up yet. This is the time when tailoring really comes in handy. I have a few regular clients who order items from big brands online knowing that they can bring the pieces to me to make them fit exactly the way they want. I tailor older clothes as well. I love being able to help repair a well-worn item for a customer so they can continue to wear it for years to come.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Some people find me online, or through social media, but most people know and recognize me from the markets I attend. I cannot speak for everyone, but I know, as a maker, I would rather be in my studio making than out at markets, selling. Eventually I would love to have a brick and mortar store, but I am just not there yet. But, one thing I do enjoy about markets is meeting people. I have heard many stories from visitors about how their grandmother or mother quilted and made all the clothing the family wore. I think there is something very sentimental about my business for people. It brings back a lot of memories from their childhoods. Even if people do not buy my pieces, they may still stop by to tell me a story and I can connect with them through that experience as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.plainjaneglory.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plain.jane.glory.designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Plain-Jane-Glory/100089641430842/

Image Credits
These photos were taken by Main Street Photography. https://www.mainstreetphotogs.com/