Meet the Tee Specialists Studio
Owned by Jimmy, The Tees Sewing Studio specializes in something super-Canadian: Hockey Jersey Manufacturing. They are also experts in sewing stretch knits and passionate about every detail of production.
Angela and Kendra met up with their assistant, Elsa, to take a tour of their space and see everything that their studio can do.
Shop: The Nomadic V-Neck
How did you get your start?
JIMMY: I founded the company in 1995. I started with a small team which consisted of a tiny sewing operation, sample making and pattern development for local designers. Working with a few employees, I gained larger clients and eventually was working with some of the biggest brand names being made in Canada.
What do you enjoy most about making apparel?
JIMMY: Everything.
What is your favourite thing to sew?
JIMMY: Knitted garments, for sure, and that’s our speciality. Particularly because of the fact that knit garments have more stretch in the fabric and are easier to sew, which gives it an ease factor. With ease of sewing comes a quicker turn around and less pieces, unlike a jacket in a plaid that may have 30 pattern pieces, a knit garment is about the drape and fit to showcase the design more often.
Where do you buy your clothes?
JIMMY: I don’t do much shopping since there isn’t much time when running a business but I always go for style of a piece over the price. I’ll even choose styling of a garment over the brand name, since something is going to be on you, you have to like the look. More often than not, I shop online and if I see something I like I won’t think twice, I’ll just buy it right away.
Why do you think we should support Canadian-made clothes?
JIMMY: Canadian-made is more consistent in quality and there’s better flexibility for turnaround times. In fact, current production at our sewing studio consists of 80% Canadian brands and 20% U.S brands. This is compared to our past clients which were split 50/50. We can definitely recognize that there is a huge drive towards Canadian-made products, and this has even been a request from some of our US clients who want to use “Made in Canada” on their label. They know that they can not only charge more, but see that Canadian customers are more loyal to buy products that are close to home.
What are your passions?
JIMMY: Making time to travel and experience places around the world. I love to not only go somewhere I’ve never seen before, but also somewhere less inhabited - maybe the North Pole? I’m planning to go to Scandinavian countries in the near future where I can get a new cultural experience and hike or take some scenic routes.
Who’s your role-model?
JIMMY: Anybody that is successful and happy. Watch and learn how they do and what they do and respect them for how they got there.
What do you love about working with us?
JIMMY: I like that we’re always given clean and clear instructions in terms of communication and elements taken to make the product. It makes mine, and my staff’s, jobs so much easier. There’s less room for error and potential conflict.
Aside from the great jokes (Jimmy is hilarious), this sewing studio consistently delivers quality garments. They take the time and care to check each one and package them up oh-so-neatly for us. We really admire, and respect, their eye for detail and dedication to the products that they product for every one of their clients.
This is the end of our Tee Specialists tour - we hope you enjoyed the final post of this series and exploring their space with us!
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