Over years of running Copious there have been major ups and downs but finding out that my quilted fabric was being discontinued was a blow that hit harder than I even expected. When I found out, I instantly jumped into making a plan and started scouring my wholesalers to find a replacement. I definitely considered a couple options, but there was always something that made it subpar to the original; most didn’t have enough cotton, making the fabric itchy and giving it a shiny look, fabrics like that never wash well and would look old very quickly. The reason the Alice Sweater was a garment my clients and I loved was because I knew it was something that could be worn weekly and never show that kind of wear but grow to be a staple in their wardrobes.kickstarter campaign, quilted fabric, elbow patch detail, sweater handmade in OttawaIf I couldn’t find a fabric that was up to the Copious standards, I started to come to the decision that I would not make the Alice Sweater anymore and honestly started to harbour feelings that maybe my clients were tired of this sweater and ready for a change. Throughout the winter though, I kept getting emails asking about the Alice Sweater and was it available in the Plum or Navy. Then the Spring OOAK show was upon me and more clients were asking about the sweater, this just confirmed that I had to figure out a way to keep this GREAT style going. Being an artist there is a certain amount of self-doubt that comes into play, I learned a long time ago it was easier to admit it, rather than ignore it. Hearing from all my clients about this style just affirmed that I had created exactly what I had always wanted Copious to be. A company that creates comfortable, stylish clothes that women love and feel confident in. It helped me see I needed to find a fabric that was equal to the original, and once I knew I would have to make it,  I knew it could be even better because it would be Made in Canada.kickstarter campaign, quilted fabric, elbow patch detail, sweater handmade in Ottawa

navy quilted fabric, elbow patch detail, handmade in OttawaAfter an exhausting amount of emails back and forth, I found Fine Cotton Factory, a mill that could create my coveted quilted fabric and dye it for the Alice and Sophia style. I was relieved to have found them but disappointed to learn what their minimums and cost would be. I felt like I was back to accepting that this style would be no more. I sat with this and had almost resolved myself to believing it BUT I just couldn’t let it die! I am unbelievably stubborn and started doing the math and knew if I launched pre-orders I could raise the funds to help move forward with producing the exact fabric I wanted for this style. Like many business owners, I bet on myself, my design and on my clients support of me.

alice sweater, handmade in Toronto

You can Pre-Order your Alice Sweater or Sophia Dress through my Kickstarter Campaign, click here to see the reward levels. 

Of the traits of the brotherhood of writers, savans, musicians, inventors and artist nothing is finer than silent defiance advancing from new free forms. W. W.

Written by Carissa McCaig

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