Allyson Wendt, founder of Pocketful of Why, combines her personal journey and parenting challenges to create functional and whimsical children’s clothing.
Allyson Wendt, the founder of Pocketful of Why, a children’s clothing company based in Brattleboro, Vermont, has built a brand rooted in her diverse life experiences and personal challenges. Wendt’s journey into the world of seamstress and children’s clothing design reflects her adaptive nature, combining various skills and interests that have evolved over the years.
Before establishing Pocketful of Why, Wendt served as the managing editor for Building Green, an environmental publication, where she developed a strong attention to detail and an understanding of effective communication. Recently, she expressed a desire to potentially return to the field of editing someday. However, her focus is currently on her family and her business.
Wendt’s inspiration to create children’s clothing arose from her own experiences as a parent. Struggling to find pants that fit over her children’s cloth diapers, she began to experiment with the cut and fit of traditional children’s clothing. Drawing on historical patterns, she emphasized practicality in her designs. Wendt’s parenting challenges include raising a son with autism and a learning disorder, as well as a daughter with type 1 diabetes. Adding to this mix, Wendt also navigated personal health issues, including chronic migraines and a seizure disorder, which ultimately led her to go on disability.
With the support of her golden retriever service dog, Dalia, who can sense her medical episodes, Wendt veers towards her creative outlets. Wendt’s sewing journey began to flourish when she started making clothing for her daughter, which quickly attracted attention and requests from others. Her experience in sewing, weaving, and knitting, acquired through various life stages—from theater work to individual creativity—has provided her with a unique perspective on designing children’s wear.
Reflecting on her early endeavors, Wendt noted, “Weird factoid about me, I worked for Circus Smirkus right out of college as a roustabout and then a stage manager.” This diverse background coupled with a fascination for fashion and fiber history informs her creative process today. Wendt is not merely a seamstress but regards herself as an engineer of clothing, striving to incorporate fun and functional elements into her designs.
Drawing inspiration from local fabric designer Ella Randall, Wendt utilizes high-quality European fabrics known for their playful patterns. Her design ethos emphasizes unique, whimsical styles infused with practicality, particularly focusing on features like “grow-with-me sizing” for children’s clothing. “If you’re going to pay $50 for a hoodie, it should fit for more than two seconds,” Wendt remarked, noting the advantages of her adaptable designs.
As the pandemic prompted a pivot in business, Wendt briefly turned her sewing skills to mask-making before returning to her children’s clothing roots. Pocketful of Why has since emphasized creating items that are not only stylish but functional and durable, reflecting her understanding of the demands of childhood adventures.
Her production practices also align with her values. Wendt seeks to minimize waste by utilizing fabric scraps for projects such as booties and pocket edging, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability. She insightfully reflects on her crafting routine and expressions of creativity, often finding comfort in the process of making clothing.
Pocketful of Why is positioned as a creator of “clothing for the adventures of childhood,” featuring vibrant prints, soft fabrics, and ample pockets for little treasures. As Wendt articulates, her mission embraces inclusivity, extending her clothing designs to grown-ups as well.
Wendt has forged paths as a small business owner through her innate problem-solving abilities developed in her previous roles. “If you don’t know how to do something – you research it and learn on the fly,” she explained, showcasing her adaptive nature as a key to her entrepreneurial journey.
Engaging with the local community through events such as the Brattleboro Gallery Walk and various craft fairs, Wendt showcases her eclectic and charming collection. Pocketful of Why offers clothing that resonates with both children and adults, allowing everyone to enjoy whimsical style while catering to practical needs.
As Wendt contends with the balance of entrepreneurship and personal responsibilities, her reflections on scaling her business sustainably remain a part of her ongoing narrative. For those interested in exploring her work, Pocketful of Why’s creations can be found on their website, offering a glimpse into Wendt’s imaginative and thoughtful approach to children’s clothing design.
Source: Noah Wire Services
