The Woman Behind Laurie's Gifts
Welcome to my little corner of the web! 😊
I'm Laurie Kahn—owner, designer, seamstress, photographer, bookkeeper, shipping department, customer service representative, and everything else behind Laurie's Gifts!
Yes, it's a one-woman operation!
I've been married to my high school sweetheart since 1988, and we have two grown daughters and two grandchildren who make life very interesting!
I've been professionally sewing since 1995, and I've been running my own handmade business since June 2005. It's been quite an adventure!
How It All Began
I started my professional sewing career making infant and children's clothing for a friend who designed her own line of boutique clothing. I spent about six years sewing for her retail shop, learning all sorts of techniques that would eventually become invaluable in my own business.
After her shop closed in 2001, I continued sewing and designing on my own.
My first holiday craft show was an unexpected success, thanks to some wonderfully encouraging customers. That experience inspired me to open my first online shop in June 2005.
Back then, I made almost nothing but purses!
Quirky boutique-style handbags, custom photo purses, embroidered Scripture Purses, purses made from repurposed clothing, and all sorts of accessories made from recycled wrappers.
In 2008, my Wrapper Purse Collection even caught the attention of TerraCycle, and I was invited to join their design team as a consultant. That was quite an unexpected adventure!
From Purses to Aprons... Who Knew?
Also in 2008, I made an apron for my daughter, who dreamed of becoming a pastry chef when she grew up.
I enjoyed making that apron so much that I couldn't stop!
It was love at first stitch! 😊
Over the years, my little purse business gradually evolved into a business focused primarily on handmade aprons.
Today, I make Pinafore Aprons, vintage-inspired 50s Smock Aprons, Chef Aprons, Twirly Skirt Aprons, and Multi-Pocket Half Aprons, along with some of my original purse designs.
I absolutely LOVE beautiful fabrics, and one of my favorite parts of the creative process is combining colors and prints to create something special.
And after more than 20 years of collecting fabric, I've accumulated quite a stash! These days, I especially enjoy turning some of those beautiful older fabrics into one-of-a-kind aprons.
Handmade Means Handmade!
Everything I sell is individually cut and sewn by ME, right here in my home sewing studio in northeastern Indiana.
There are no employees, no assembly lines, and no mass production.
I'm pretty particular about my workmanship, too!
I don't like exposed seams or unfinished raw edges, and I want my aprons to look just as nice on the inside as they do on the outside. I put a LOT of thought into the construction, comfort, and durability of every design.
Many of my aprons are made after an order is placed, and I also offer opportunities to choose your own fabrics and colors.
My goal has always been to make beautiful, practical, heirloom-quality products that you'll enjoy using for years to come.
More Than Just a Business
When I began sewing professionally, it was because I wanted to contribute to our family income while staying home with my girls.
Years later, after they were grown, being self-employed allowed me to spend precious time with my mom during the difficult last years of her life.
And now that I have grandchildren, I appreciate that flexibility more than ever!
My business will never make me rich monetarily, but it has indeed made my life richer in all the ways that really count.
That's something I wouldn't trade for anything.
Want to Know More?
I've shared more about my sewing background, how Laurie's Gifts got started, and some of the unexpected adventures I've had along the way in my Meet the Maker: The Story Behind Laurie's Gifts blog article.
Thank you for stopping by, taking the time to learn a little about me, and supporting my small handmade business.
I truly appreciate it!
Kindest regards,
Laurie ❤️
The Quote That Inspired the Name of My Shop
"If you have any talent—that's your gift from God. And, if you use that talent—that's your gift to God."
— Red Skelton