Meet the Maker: The Story Behind Lottie & Lysh

Hi, I’m Lottie - founder, designer, sewer, picker-upper-of-threads and snack provider in chief at Lottie & Lysh.

If you’re new around here, welcome. And if you’ve been with us for a while, you might know a bit of our story already - but I wanted to share more about how this all came to be. Why I started sewing. What makes our clothes different. And why supporting small really does mean something, beyond hashtags and slogans.

It really all started with skinny jeans that wouldn’t stay up

When my eldest daughter was little, we found it almost impossible to get clothes that fit her properly. She was so slight as a toddler - jeans would just fall straight down. Everything sagged or twisted or got in her way.

So I taught myself to sew.

It began with very simple A-line pinafores. Nothing fancy, but they fit her. She could move. She looked like herself. And I realised quite quickly how much joy there was in making something with your own hands that solved a real-life problem for someone you love. But she soon became a fashion guru and didn't fancy Mummy-made outfits anymore so the sewing machine was put away (for almost a decade!).

Then came baby number two - and eczema

When my first son arrived, he had severe eczema. We were struggling to find clothes that didn’t aggravate it. Seams rubbed. Labels scratched. The materials in most baby clothes just weren’t up to the job.

Then I remembered I could sew.

So I got stuck in again - this time with baby leggings. Back then, it was hard to find leggings for boys that weren’t pink or covered in unicorns. There just wasn’t much in-between. Boys’ sections were all dinosaurs and diggers, girls’ were sparkly and pastel. And while that might suit some kids just fine, it left others - like my son - with very few soft, wearable options that felt like him. I didn’t want to settle for clothes that didn’t reflect who he was. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I wanted soft, comfy, practical options for him too.

I made my first pair of leggings, then another, then a reversible coat that hid all the seams and kept his skin happy. And then a friend asked, “Could you make a bunny coat for my little girl?”

I gave it a go.

And that’s how the Bonnie Bunny Jacket was born.

That first jacket turned heads. Suddenly everyone wanted one. I listed them on Etsy. Orders started coming in. Then I realised people were just as excited about the leggings too.

Our little Facebook page started growing. Our tiny range expanded. Every single item was still made at home, with love and a lot of late-night cups of tea.

Growing the slow way

Eventually, I took on my first team member and moved into a rented studio. Over the years, friends and family have popped in and out of Lottie & Lysh - sewing, packing, helping out where they could - always drawn by the flexibility and the feel of it all.

Now, we’re a small team of three: me, Cathy, and Jo. We work around our children. We pick our hours. If someone’s child is poorly, they take the time off. No one needs permission. During summer holidays we shift our schedules to suit the waves or the weather. It’s not corporate. It’s not rigid. It works - because it has to.

And the only reason we can work this way is because of you - the people who choose to support small brands like ours. People who go out of their way to buy handmade. To choose ethical. To click add to cart knowing full well that it’s not mass-produced or arriving from a factory. It’s coming from a studio by the sea, sewn by a mum.

What makes our clothes different?

Every piece we make is designed with comfort first. The fabrics are always carefully chosen - often Oeko-Tex certified, organic where possible, and always soft, breathable, and kind to sensitive skin. The construction matters too. We design for longevity and eczema-friendly wear, with minimal seams, soft finishes, and cuts that allow movement and a little growing room.

Whether it’s our best-selling Bonnie Bunny Jackets, our newborn-friendly popper rompers, or our floaty, beach-ready Cherubs shorts, every item is made to be worn, lived in, and passed down.

And yes, some of our most-loved styles have been copied. We’ve seen versions of our jackets pop up on mass marketplaces, using our images and our ideas. But they’re not the same. They never will be. Because the quality, the fabric, the thought behind the details -it’s just not something that can be knocked off with a pattern and a cheap substitute.

Life in Cornwall: where the ideas begin

We live by the sea. Literally. Cornwall is home - and it shapes so much of what we do.

My kids surf. That means our lives bend around tides and swells and the endless hunt for clean waves. If it’s a good surf day, school might wait. If the sun’s out, we pack snacks and head to the beach. It’s not about perfection. It’s about freedom. And that’s what inspires so many of our prints, fits, and seasonal drops.

A typical day might start with cutting fabric before the school run, answering emails while sat on the beach, and finishing a batch of orders once the kids are in bed. We fit our days around the tides and the weather just as much as we do around school timetables. It’s a little chaotic, sometimes, but it’s also why our clothes are made with real life in mind - not just the photo-worthy moments.

Clothes that can handle sandy naps in car seats. Clothes you can build a den in. Or sit down mid-tantrum in. Clothes that feel good against sun-kissed skin. And layer up on cooler days with bare feet and salt in the air.

Why supporting small matters

When you choose Lottie & Lysh, you’re choosing real people. Not stockholders or factories. Just mums and makers doing work they love, around the families they love.

You’re helping us keep flexibility in our lives. Helping us be present for school plays, sports days, quiet days, busy days, and everything in between. You’re choosing clothes that aren’t just cute - they’re thoughtful, ethical, and made with real intention.

And for that, we’re beyond grateful.

Sharing the journey — and everything I've learned along the way

Before Lottie & Lysh, I trained and worked as a teacher. I spent my days supporting kids teenagers and adults with learning disabilities - and teaching has always felt like something stitched into who I am. It’s something I’ve loved deeply and always hoped I’d come back to in some form.

Now, I feel incredibly fortunate that Lottie & Lysh has grown to a point where I can bring that part of myself back into the fold. Alongside making clothes, I now also support other small business owners - mainly mums like me - by sharing the practical things I’ve learned along the way.

After a decade of figuring things out through trial and error, I’ve developed a real passion for website optimisation, conversion strategy, and the thing that truly changed our business trajectory: SEO. That’s why I created the SEO Simplified eBook and accompanying resources - to give others a clearer, calmer way into growing their own business online.

Getting to merge my love of teaching with everything I’ve learned as a maker and business owner feels like a full-circle moment. And if something I share helps another mum feel a little more confident, a little less stuck, or a little more in control of her time and energy - then that means the world.

You can check out our full range of Small Business Resources here

Want to explore more?
Start with some of our most-loved pieces:

• Bonnie Bunny Jackets

• Newborn Rompers

• Summer Outfits

• Leggings for Little Ones

Or read next:

• Why Handmade Baby Clothes Matter

• Tiny But Mighty: What to Look for in Premature Baby Clothes

• Monochrome Magic: Why Parents Love Black and White Baby Clothes