Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathie Sever.
Hi Kathie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started off making children’s western wear under the label Ramonster around 2001. After navigating the ins and outs of garment manufacturing, I became disenchanted with production and was looking to work more closely with custom clients in order to facilitate a more careful, less wasteful scenario. Along the way, my friend Jenny Hart sold me her Singer 114w103, a chainstitch embroidery machine that at the time was little used and pretty obscure. I couldn’t figure out how to get it functioning for several years due to the fact that there was just no information about these machines out there, and I didn’t know how to reach anyone who had experience with them. I finally managed to get the machine functional and realized that there was much more than western wear that could be played around with using chainstitch embroidery. I rebranded in 2014, and the business quickly took off from there- I added several artists to my team, and with their added talent and aesthetic was able to grow into what we’ve become today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been smooth in some ways, tough in others. When Ft Lonesome was first debuted, there were so few of us in the chainstitch game, so there were ample opportunities. We were fielding requests from all kinds of brands to collaborate. That meant rapid growth, which can be a mixed blessing for a small business- being in a reactive mode responding to what was coming at us as opposed to carefully crafting the business model we were the most excited to see come to fruition.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We specialize in creating custom artwork for individuals based on their life story, which we then weave into a garment. We’re proud of the level of craftsmanship we cultivate and the care we take with each project that moves through the shop. From drawing designs to embroidering those designs, to stitching up custom garments, we’re aiming to create heirlooms.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think when you’re passionate about something, mentors should arrive somewhat organically, in that at least you know what and who inspires you the most and what you’d like to learn more about. Enthusiasm and humility are both excellent portals to connecting with mentors.
Pricing:
- Suits start at $4200
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@ftlonesome.com
- Website: Ftlonesome.com
- Instagram: @ftlonesome
