Check Out Abby Foster’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Foster. 

Hi Abby, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I spent my younger years as a dancer, singer, and actress in Northern Michigan and on the west coast. I moved permanently back to Northern Michigan in my early twenties where I began making my own clothing. After making my own clothing for a few years I realized that I was very passionate about designing and decided to start my own business! 

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?
I think most artistic endeavors can sometimes fall into the category of a “hobby”. One big problem with starting your own clothing business where you manufacture everything: the overhead is huge and very quickly it gets out of that “hobby” budget. You have to have machines, space, thread, needles, tags, and the list can seem never-ending. Dealing with that kind of overhead, in the beginning, was very daunting. But, as I developed a following up here in Northern Michigan, and then eventually all over the place, and our sales increased it became less daunting to order bolts and bolts of fabric. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I design women’s apparel. I sketch, draft, pattern, cut, and sew all the garments that carry our T&S label. I specialize in sustainable garments where we focus on the biodegradability of our fibers. I work with linen, cotton, wool, silk, and hemp. My style is really a classic, elegant, minimalist style which I believe is hard to find in today’s world. I specialize in those “staples” that you never knew you needed. 

I’m very proud of my work ethic and quality control. I also am proud of the fact that I have kept all our manufacturing in-house (I make everything) so that we can guarantee that what our customers are buying are of the highest quality. 

I believe what sets my designs apart is the intention. I know my customers (by email or name) and I know what they do for a living. I am inspired by the women around me and really consider their needs and lifestyles. My goal is to provide women with clothing that works for THEM. 

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
You are your most important tool. You need to take care of yourself so that you have what you need in order to continually move forward. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.toileandstripes.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/toileandstripes

Image Credits
Meg Simpson Photography