When my first son was born—a chunky 9lb 6oz—I built up a stash of second hand clothes for him, planning ahead in case I had another child. I carried those clothes through house moves, life changes, and new beginnings, keeping them safe for the future.
Then my second son arrived—a tiny, scrawny little thing, all arms and legs, weighing just over 7lbs. And suddenly, none of those carefully saved clothes fit. I struggled to find fun, practical clothing for him that I actually liked. That’s when I discovered the world of handmade kids’ clothing, and I was hooked. The prints, the individuality, the excitement of finding something unique—it was exactly what I had been searching for. I adored seeing my little one in bold, comfy leggings, and as he grew older, he loved wearing them too.
A little Spark
At the same time, I wanted to do something for myself after going back to work, so I signed up for an evening sewing course in stretch fabrics. Initially, I made clothes for myself, but when I mentioned my love for handmade kids’ clothes, someone casually said, “Why don’t you just make them?” That was the spark.
I discovered a whole world of kids’ sewing patterns, and with The Great British Sewing Bee on TV fueling the excitement, I dove right in. Soon, I was making leggings, t-shirts, jumpers—everything my youngest needed. My eldest got matching jumpers, and I even mastered bodysuits and poppers. I was obsessed.
By the time my youngest was two, I was pregnant with my daughter. Then COVID hit. I was working as a teacher, but because I was pregnant, I couldn’t be in the school. Stuck at home, I needed something to keep my mind busy, so I threw myself into sewing—first making scrubs, then sewing for friends. The more I sewed, the more people told me, “You should sell these.”
So while I was on maternity leave with the smallest, Alternativ Bones was born.
The Turning Point – Finding My Brand’s Identity
When I first started Alternativ Bones, I discovered the world of designer exclusive prints, and custom colourways —and I was hooked. I had already developed a love for collecting fabric, but now, I could bring my own vision to life. The idea of sourcing unique prints, getting them printed, and curating my own collection was exciting. I became fanatical about collecting prints, always on the lookout for something different.
At first, I thought my brand would follow a darker, alternative aesthetic. My husband is a metalhead, and as an alternative family, I naturally leaned toward edgier designs. But when it came to dressing my own kids, they had other ideas. They weren’t interested in muted, gothic-inspired prints—they wanted bright, bold, and colourful.
The turning point came when I discovered a print—I think it was retro rings—and something clicked. I realized I didn’t have to fit into one box. Alternative didn’t have to mean dark—it could mean different. It could mean embracing colour, fun, and playfulness while still standing out from the crowd.
That’s when my brand truly took shape.
Alternative Bones isn’t about following trends or fitting a mold—it’s about celebrating fun, bold, joyful clothing. Clothes that make kids smile. Clothes that are vibrant, energetic, and full of personality. Not drab. Not dreary. Just bright, bold, and unapologetically fun.
