The Stitchery / The S box | Meet The Maker

What sparked your decision to start up your box and how did you get started?

Just one of those casual remarks from a friend in the middle of a conversation, which planted some tiny seeds of inspiration which organically grew into the-S box.

It was easy to try out box ideas and combinations because the-stitchery has so much diverse and gorgeous fabric and haberdashery stock.

Describe your box in three words?

"Creative"
"Inspirational"
(and sorry about this one, but we do actually say this all the time in the shop)...
"Fab-hab"

Where did your box name come from?

Lots of our shop customers have fun trying to guess what the S stands for...often thinking it's because of my name - Saira.

We wrote about it in a blog "so what does the-S stand for then? the-stitchery? subscription? stuff? super, scrumptious, select, sensational, smashing, snazzy, special, stylish?"

'the-S box' is derived directly from the-stitchery. It's the shop name. And the - is really important - it's a stitch!

Are you a creator or curator?

Hmm, more of a collator; a range-builder, using my buying skills coupled with life-long sewing and crafting experience to bring inspirational and creative combinations together.

What was your most popular box?

Christmas is always important to crafters.

How many people are involved with producing your subscription box?

Although the-S box is specifically 'my baby', the fantastic retail team (six) at the-stitchery are really key to helping it physically come together.

I also have help on social media (from someone much cleverer and younger than me), as well as a great supplier base who are always keen to get involved in product sourcing and development.

Which subscription boxes do you subscribe to?

None! As of yet. Though I am seriously considering something involving chocolate to alcohol.

Name a celebrity subscriber you’d love to have as a customer?

It would be amazing to see someone like Kirstie Allsop loving the-S box as much as we do. She's so enthusiastic about a creative 'handmade' lifestyle. It would be great to see what she created from each box.

If you could put anything in your box, with money or scarcity no object, what would it be?

If I could bottle (or box! ) the creative energy and passionate enthusiasm of the amazing stitchery team and pass it on - that would be FAB!

What do you love about uOpen?

The opportunity to reach more customers - it would mean that more people are doing and making.