Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Benac Patrick Laurin.
Hi Julie Benac, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Julie was in the cut and sew industry for many years, with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design (world’s second most useless degree!) After working in Detroit with the beloved non-profit The Empowerment Plan in production sewing, the move to artistic yarns, beautiful handwovens, and teaching developed over a few years. When Patrick entered the scene, ideas came alive and the two became poised to bring fashion to the world of fiber arts. Their business is Fresh Lotus Design, named after Lake Erie’s indigenous fresh water lotus. Together they dye, spin, weave fibers and yarns… as well as teach workshops and classes all over the midwest and eastern states. The goal of FLD is to bring a fashion-forward focus to fiber art, providing the luxurious fibers and yarns, as well the education & skills to bring bright new faces to the world of weaving and fiber art!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We’ve certainly had our share of challenges! Aside from typical start-up woes like capitol, equipment, technology, etc, both Julie and Patrick experienced unique challenges specific to the world of fiber art.
For Patrick, navigating the fiber-show vending circuit was a very unique challenge. Selecting just the right shows to showcase products with the best customer traffic wasn’t always easy. (This brings to mind a show where vendors were practically playing cards, with hardly any customer traffic!) Identifying show income expectations in the beginning was difficult. Thankfully early in the journey Patrick met Clyde Middleton of Aisling Yarns. Clyde and his wife Christa helped FLD in innumerable ways: booth set up & lighting, battery power, flooring, etc. But MOST vital was their guidance regarding what to expect from various shows. Aisling Yarn’s mentorship really gave FLD a good place from which to spring the business. On top of everything else, Patrick is an IT professional at University of Michigan.
Julie’s number one obstacle has been: TIME. It’s been tough to juggle creative endeavors for FLD with part-time upholstery work and family life. There’s just never enough time to get everything done! Preparing for large shows is both exciting and stressful: dyeing up new color patterns on countless pounds of new yarns or fibers, completing a new handwoven couture fashion garment for booth display, launching carefully-sourced new products that fit the FLD vibe of fashion + creativity with fiber, the list goes on! Development of workshops and classes is a challenge that Julie loves, and hundreds of students have learned how to sew with handwovens in her classes. Going forward, new project-based skill-building workshops will be added, and every year classes are improved.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Julie:
“Ideas for garments actually begin at the loom, long before scissors touch fabric. A yarn or fiber in a certain color speaks, and in my mind, other colors and textures appear, the spinning and weaving happens, then the fabric takes shape (with minimal cuts) into unique fashion. I’m always trying new combinations of colors and textures at the loom, and showcasing these special fabrics in one-of-a-kind fashion pieces is truly one of the peak pleasures of Fresh Lotus Design. Most satisfying, though, is seeing the creative work of my students, after taking my sewing and spinning workshops and classes. Our customers and students love FLD’s beautiful yarns, fibers, and inspiration. For us, it’s “all about making fabric”, with the extra nudge of confidence to sew it into gorgeous fashion!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Both Patrick and Julie come from backgrounds focused on helping and lifting up others. Patrick mentors at-risk young men through coaching football at Ypsilanti Community High school, also serving as team statistician. In 2010, Julie worked with a new start-up non-profit in Detroit, The Empowerment Plan, as production and training director. At the time working with homeless shelters in the city, TEP provided employment and sewing skills training to women experiencing homelessness.
Patrick also is a muscle car enthusiast, with his eye on his prize: a Big-Block ’67 Chevelle! He’s a big sports fan, never missing a Saturday college football game. Julie never left her first love of vocal music behind, and every so often you might hear her sing on Facebook!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Freshlotusdesign.com
- Instagram: @freshlotusdesign
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/freshlotusdesign
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@juliebenac?si=Iq-5B6bXZmRiZGTB
