That's right, I'm bringing back Transcending Labels!
When I was 17, I ran this Indiegogo to fundraise for a clothing line I wanted to start. I only made about $100, which needless to say is not enough to start a clothing line when you're 17 and don't really know how to do... anything. I was full of ideas and I had access to a sewing machine (at first, and then when I went off to college I didn't), but I didn't have the time or the skill to really pop off. The only perks that people got were discounts, which I couldn't exactly give out until I had a store going--but I didn't have a deadline, so I kind of just forgot about it. I tried to contact the contributors once to no avail, but I'm gonna try again once I actually have the store running! I don't care if they actually buy anything or not (and I don't think they ever really intended to, I think they just wanted to help me out), but I'm gonna get them those discounts!
Nowadays, though, I've been sewing more and more. I've actually made some of my own patterns, I've experimented, and I've gotten better at it. I've opened commissions and started sewing clothing for people who have a hard time finding clothes that fit them right--which was the whole point of Transcending Labels in the first place. This has given me the motivation to start this up again. I'm not going to open a store just yet (not until I have at least a few products that I'm confident in), but this blog will be a hub for everything Transcending Labels. I'll post updates on my progress, designs, and perhaps occasionally even pictures of things I make in the meantime!
This may still be just a dream, but it's one that I'm working on. Here are some ways you can support me in the my endeavor:
Patreon
My Patreon isn't really committed to anything in particular, but recently I've been posting sewing stuff there. If I make videos, patrons will have early access. Pretty much every pattern that I make (whether for Transcending Labels or not) gets a post there, with pictures, a description of my process, and lessons I learned from it. If you want to watch me grow in my abilities, it's certainly the place for you. Otherwise, it's still just a place that you can donate monthly. This money doesn't necessarily go directly to Transcending Labels, but it's sure easier to focus on making clothes when I don't have to worry about grocery money!
Ko-Fi
This is basically just a place you can donate money to me. You can specify that you want it to go towards Transcending Labels.
Spotfund
This money goes directly towards sewing practice and towards giving clothes to those in need. Most of the money will go towards materials for said clothes, and a fraction will go towards labor--not even minimum wage, in case you were about to go "why would I pay you for this if you're just gonna keep all the money?" It's just enough that I can afford to take the time to make these clothes instead of work at some store or fast food place somewhere.
Sewn products on my current (personal) store
If you wanted something more tangible, like proof that I can actually sew, feel free to buy something from my "Sewn" collection on my store. All products in this collection are hand-sewn by me. If they have "AS IS" in the title (and are in the "As Is" collection), this means that I also need some practice on the design. I'll be putting Transcending Labels products here before I do on the official Transcending Labels store. Products here are exchangeable if I get the sizing wrong, but otherwise, by buying an "as is" product, you're agreeing that any minor imperfections that got past my personal quality check are final.
Fundraising collection on my current (personal) store
I may eventually post products (things like T-shirts that are cheap to make or get printed) in this collection to fundraise for Transcending Labels. If so, they'll a) be in the collection linked here and b) name Transcending Labels in the title or description. Otherwise, the money doesn't necessarily go towards Transcending Labels. It might not even go to me--make sure to check the description!
It's entirely possible that I will eventually post a Kickstarter or something for an individual product. I learned my lessons with the Indiegogo and I know how I would do it differently this time. If this happens, I'll be sure to tack it on here! So if you see this reblogged somewhere way in the future (for reference, it's 7/15/2022 as I'm making this post), be sure to check the notes or the original post to see if it's been reblogged or edited!