We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amelia Lafleur a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amelia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
I collaborated with some of my close girlfriends and come up with a new brand name for my workroom. I wanted the name to be completely my own, bringing in some of the French Canadian influence that I was raised around. Sophie was the name I chose for myself during my years of studying French in class. I incorporated a play on words with the French name and Sewphie’s Custom Fabrications was born.
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?
Growing up in Northern Vermont, my passion for sewing was gifted to me through generations of female seamstresses. I remember sitting under my mother’s sewing machine analyzing how her foot petal was connected to the metal rod that activated the motor that would turn the belt above. I would peer over the table top watching the belt turn the wheels and move the machine’s needle. My mother’s fingers guiding the fabric for the perfect stitch.
At the youthful age of 12, I took my first sewing course and my passion for sewing and fabricating took off. My journey started as a young girl experimenting with several different projects ranging from clothing and accessories to custom memory quilts for clients of all ages. Over the past 25 years I’ve listened to my sewing machine hum beneath my finger tips. With the last 10 being focused in custom home decor fabrication.
When I moved to Charleston, my love for sewing never wavered. I was introduced to custom home fabrications where I now have 10 years of professional history in the field working with both designers and private clients a like. Over this period of time, I’ve been able to fine tune my craft in the Charleston area and have a had the opportunity to work outside the state as well. Always keeping my emphasis on custom home decor.
Recently I found myself at a crossroads. The current circumstances of my life forced me to reevaluate my position in this industry. I took some time to slow down and analyze a new plan of action. What do I want to do? Where do I want to be? How will I start over and guarantee I’ll continue my success? I love Charleston and hold a special place in my heart for the design and fabrication industry. I’m young and energetic and I’m not ready to stop making beautiful pieces for my community. I decided to take a leap of faith and take hold of old dreams that have been suppressed and make them new again. The last 10 years have allowed me to build my reputation around the Holy City which gave me the confidence I needed to open a workroom of my own.
Becoming a solo artist has forced me to learn new things about being a business owner that I never allowed myself to do in the past. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a support system behind me that has helped me invest in myself and operate my workroom in a way that is both functional freeing. so that I may reach each and every one of you.
I collaborated with some of my close girlfriends and come up with a new brand name for my workroom. I wanted the name to be completely my own, bringing in some of the French Canadian influence that I was raised around. Sophie was the name I chose for myself during my years of studying French in class. I incorporated a play on words with the French name and Sewphie’s Custom Fabrications was born.
Sewphie’s Custom Fabrications is a client focused workroom. My passion for creating beautiful yet functional treatments has helped me carve a new path that will continue to ensure I bring something new but comfortable to my clients and the trade. My goal will always be to make my client’s spaces their own because it’s not always about following the latest trends. I find joy in creating relationships with each and every person I meet so I can understand exactly what my clients are looking for. It’s all in the details and knowing every project and understanding that each client has different wants, needs, and lifestyles. Each design should be a sneak peek into their life and their desires.
I specialize in custom draperies, flat and soft Roman shades, pillows, cushions, duvet covers, coverlets, bedskirts, and light upholstery to name a few. Dabbling in both residential and commercial. I’ve worked all over the Charleston area including Kiawah and Seabrook Islands, James Island, Historic Downtown, Mt. pleasant, IOP, etc.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Recently I found myself at a crossroads. The current circumstances of my life forced me to reevaluate my position in this industry. I took some time to slow down and analyze a new plan of action. What do I want to do? Where do I want to be? How will I start over and guarantee I’ll continue my success? I love Charleston and hold a special place in my heart for the design and fabrication industry. I’m young and energetic and I’m not ready to stop making beautiful pieces for my community. I decided to take a leap of faith and take hold of old dreams that have been suppressed and make them new again. The last 10 years have allowed me to build my reputation around the Holy City which gave me the confidence I needed to open a workroom of my own.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
I pride myself of being a one-stop-shop. Meaning, I am the only face you will see from start to finish, unless it’s install time and I need to bring my muscle along. I am the one who comes out for consultations, I am the only one fabricating merchandise, and I will be the one delivering and installing your products.
I’ve been sewing since I was 12, so my skill of sewing is proficient. However, when I dove into the home design industry, it was like learning a new skill, many of them, for the first time. With a great teacher, a lot of patience, and some time spent at the sewing machine, I quickly became proficient at this new craft.
The years passed on and I started taking healthy risks with my work. Leaving old skills behind and using my common sense, I started implementing my own twists on how to fabricate certain items. This allowed me to work more proficiently and make an overall better product.
Contact Info:
- Website: Sewphiescustomfabrications.com
- Instagram: Sewphiescustomfabrications