Merry Christmas

The Business is Born

So today is kind of a big day for me.

In less than an hours time I have my final presentation on the business idea I have been working on for the last 3 months. It is now finally that all the hard work and effort pays off and the fictional idea I had in my mind is born in to a real concept - a real thing.

It is from now that I will be forever stressed, always working and probably dreaming of holidays I will never have time to go on. If you had told me only 6 months ago that I would be the director of my own company I would have laughed at you nervously and unconvinced that I could ever pull such a thing off. Yet here I am sat at my desk feeling confident and determined, ready to present to a panel of strangers and willing to fight for my business and convince them that this is no longer just an idea, this is a business and it will work. I believe it and I will damn well make them believe in it too.

The main objectives of my business is to connect British Apparel Design and Manufacture. In other words we provide sourcing and design support for companies to get their clothes manufactured in the UK. Our main clients are start-ups or smaller companies who perhaps do not have the expertise or network in place to cover all areas of the manufacturing process. However we also deal with larger companies perhaps looking for limited edition lines or wanting to relocate manufacturing. Due to having a tried and tested network of factories and businesses we take the time and stress out of the manufacturing process allowing companies to concentrate on other areas of their business.

If this is a service you think you may need please get in contact.

BIG LOVE
cycles and spoons

Banter at Bantum

Photoshoot on our roof top in the snow

Working with Simeon Hartwig at Bantum Clothing can be described as nothing more than an 'experience'. A stressful, infuriating and challenging experience!! But one that I would not change for the world and something which becomes strangely addictive that I find myself going back to for more and more.

For a little bit of background info... Bantum Clothing was set up by the one and only rude boy Simeon Hartwig who hit celebrity status when appearing on that cookery programme 'Come Dine With Me'. This is well worth a watch as you can have a good laugh at comments such as 'scallops... isn't that chicken?' and pointing at a picture of Queen Victoria, Simeon cluelessly asks the other contestant if it is a picture of his gran! We can however forgive the boy due to his dashing good looks and charming personality...

Yes this is my 'boss' - I know it is hard to believe..

Anyway... back to the background info... so Simeon set up Bantum a good 5 years ago.. possibly even 6 (he's getting on a bit now) and he did this through The Hive at Nottingham Trent University. The Hive is a hub for entrepreneurship that helps support people in setting up their own businesses. It is in fact the exact same course which I am currently doing in order to set up my business. Now Simeon is... well... he's not the biggest guy you've ever met. So with that in mind he set out to produce a line of clothing for the smaller guys of this world. However Bantum now caters for all shapes and sizes. It is a street-wear company producing brightly coloured and fun casualwear. Check out the website and click on 'Bantum What?!' to get a true understanding of the brand as I feel I can't do it the justice it deserves.

I've worked for Simeon for around 2 years now under the flattering title of 'Bantum Sewing Girl'. The reality is though that Bantum would not be as successful as it is if it wasn't for me.... naaaatttt :) I know though that Simeon has a lot of love for me, he just hides it all inside. I actually first started working for Simeon after a friend recommended me to him. This friend goes by the name of James Huyton. He in fact is another product of The Hive and works freelance as an Illustrator / Artist / Designer - a jack of all trades really. Jim is extremely talented, he's definitely someone to look up to, I love seeing his work and I always feel wowed (and slightly envious) by his sheer talent and drawing ability. So if you need any branding / illustration etc, he's your man! Check out his website for some examples of his work. He also got short listed for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Midlands Business Awards, so James Huyton is a name to watch out for as I believe he has a very promising future ahead of him!

Jimmy at work

So back to Bantum... we make clothes, go to trade shows and events, make videos and have a hell of a lot of fun whilst doing it. Simeon is a brilliant bloke, I've loved working for him, Bantum is a perfect reflection of his personality - fun, creative, mad, out-going, bouncy and playful and I wish him all the success for the future :)

Simeon thinking he's 'ard with a teddy down his trousers sporting a Big Pocket Jumper.
All big pockets are made by myself.

All jumpers worn are designed by Simeon and made by me
You can't see them properly but this is purposeful as they haven't gone in to production yet and we don't want you stealing our ideas!!

To see a video from this photoshoot click here.

Pattern Cutting in the studio

Another photoshoot of most recent collection

 To see a video of this photoshoot click here. All photoshoots are done by friends of Bantum - Sam Kirby and Anthony Hopwood. Both are brilliant photographers so make sure you check out their websites!

Bantum is all about Trade Shows and Events
Here I am at Pure Spirit Trade Show helping to sell Bantum!

Click here for the video of Pure Spirit Trade Show and the out takes of the trip are here.

If you have a spare few minutes make sure you take the time out to watch all the video's linked in - they are a good laugh and show the personality of the Bantum brand.

Check out my advent calendar jumper I made for a Christmas Social courtesy of Bantum!
In the month of December this jumper does not leave my body!

BIG LOVE

cycles and spoons

Printing and Embroidery

Over the last several years I've tried to help out friends where ever I can, utilising my skills. The two main projects which spring to mind are Laura Green's summer dresses and Scott Heron's embroidered jacket. Laura has a BA Hons and Masters in Textiles, specialising in print. The particular project I helped her with was for her final year project where she designed digital repeat prints using flowers and birds. Using the three printed fabrics she designed, I created three different dresses as shown below.

These dresses were a very simple but effective design with elasticated waist at the back.

In complete contrast, my project with Scott was a lot more dramatic and it pushed my pattern cutting skills. Like Laura, Scott did a BA Hons in Textiles however he specialised in Embroidery. This project was for his final year. We began by making a toile of the jacket and then once happy with the fit, Scott worked on embroidering all the panels separately using machine embroidery. I then sewed them together, including lining the whole jacket. At this stage Scott then added extra hand embroidery to the jacket. He decided to display the jacket at his final degree show as though it was floating in the air due to it's large trail.

Front View

Close up shows revolvers integrated within the embroidery

This is Scott trying on the jacket during a fitting session. 

At the degree show
In this picture you can also see all the lining on the inside of the jacket

Back View

Since graduating from University, Scott has gone on to work for Hand and Lock.


"Hand and Lock is the world's finest provider of hand embroidery, providing specialist and custom embroidery, shirt monogramming and beading work since 1767."


Whilst working at Hand and Lock, Scott has had the honour of hand embroidering the badge which was sewn on to the jacket that Prince William wore for his wedding.

Proud of you Scott!!

BIG LOVE
cycles and spoons