Sarah Jo Saunders has been sewing since she was a teenager and says she is “completely self taught” when she talks about her fashion design. Saunders never wanted to settle for mass-produced clothing so she got started by designing and sewing her own outfits. She has since decided to go for her dream and opened Jo Clothing, an independent design company that is run out of her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Saunders’ goal is to create comfortable fashions that are also flattering. She currently also works part-time as a hairstylist, but spends the majority of her time on fashioning her clothing line, which she sells on Etsy.com and at local art fairs.
Her funky, layered fashions include tunics and stylish dresses in a wide range of sizes, typically made from stretchy jersey fabric for comfort. The cozy designs are also made for women of all sizes, and Saunders makes custom outfits in a wide range of sizes.
All of Saunders’ designs are created on a serger from her own original patterns and she says she learns a lot from trial and error. Features like oversized collars and cowl necks are catching the eye of people all across the country and in Canada through Saunders online store at joclothing.etsy.com.
Saunders credits the other designers who sell fashions on Etsy with inspiring her to follow her creative passions and she encourages others to follow their dreams as well, “just make what you love making and keep looking for new ways to improve it.”
Read more about Saunders in The Grand Rapids Press or visit her Jo Clothing store online at joclothing.etsy.com.
I do like the sleeves. Kool and different!