Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabel Horowitz.
Hi Isabel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Sew Isabel was born out of a thirst for a creative outlet in a time where restriction on life was all we knew. I was sent home from studying abroad in Sydney, Australia due to COVID-19. I took up tie dye as a hobby, which slowly transitioned into hand embroidery. Mostly focusing on sweatshirts and sweatpants, I have now branched out into applying patches and gems to my clothing. Today, I am focused on creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with an occasional custom design.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have found it difficult to make time for Sew Isabel amongst the chaos of school. I obtained my master’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, and was forced to put my company on the back burner. Sew Isabel became more of a hobby and less of a full-time operation. Once I graduated, I felt a pull to get back to it – and soon enough, I was right back in it. As I branched out from hand embroidery to other creative designs, I found it difficult to narrow down exactly what Sew Isabel would become. Although I am still navigating the creative landscape and defining my company’s goals, I am excited to see what my customers are drawn to the most.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in hand embroidered/patched/gemmed sweatshirts and sweatpants. I am very proud of my ability to do all the creative work by hand. Most embroidery and gem work is done by machine – I do it by stitch by stitch, gem by gem. I pride myself on that. Although it takes longer to complete, I know that I am putting out the best product for my customers.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
About two years ago, my boyfriend was in a coffee shop and got a compliment on his sweatshirt. It was a Sew Isabel embroidered smiley face crewneck, of course. That woman happened to be the owner of a popular clothing shop nearby. After a quick meeting, she began carrying Sew Isabel items in her store. This was luck. A chance encounter. However, not all of the success I have had resulted from things like that. Most of it was hard work, dedication to customers, building a social media following, etc. Luck has definitely helped me in my journey, but so has my drive and desire for success.
Pricing:
- Sewn Smiley Face Crewneck ($55)
- Sewn Smiley Face Hoodie ($65)
- Gem Embellished Sweats/Sweatshirt ($65)
- Custom Crew ($55-$75)
- Custom Hoodie ($65-$85)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sew-isabel.com/
- Instagram: @sewisabel
