Introducing Millie

From a young age, Millie, our talented designer and seamstress, was introduced to the art of sewing by her grandmother and mother. She quickly mastered embroidery, cross-stitch, and sewing machine skills. Over the years, Millie became captivated by the endless possibilities of creating with fabric. While at university, she began making her own clothes, using upcycling as a way to get the styles she loved on a budget. Her passion for fashion, combined with a love for theatre, naturally led her to the world of costume design.

Millie has designed costumes for a range of productions, including Grease, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and most recently, The Tempest.

The Journey To Hessian

Millie spent some time working in clothing alterations and repairs before she found her way into the world of coffee sacks. This unexpected yet serendipitous collaboration led her to meet Alex, the owner of West Berkshire Roastery, through a mutual friend. (See full story: Coffee, Collab, Create) It was through this partnership that she discovered the fascinating yet frustrating fabric known as hessian—pesky due to its relentless tendency to fray.

After designing and creating the first product—the Sleepy Sloth Bag—Millie began experimenting with a variety of products, from cushions and aprons to pet beds. Whatever her customers desired, she was up for the challenge. Each item was custom-made, and Millie loved the personal connection of working one-on-one with her clients to bring their ideas to life.

As demand for her products grew, Millie decided it was time to take the next step and set up shop. And so, Naylormade was born.