LA-Based DIY Start-Up, Girl Charlee, Finds Niche in Online Retail Textile Space & Sees 3750% Growth

LOS ANGELES - Feb. 16, 2015 - PRLog -- The lack of high quality fashionable knit fabrics in the textile market has been a constant frustration to many designers and home sewers.  Heather Peterson saw that there was a need for a specialty fabric store solely focused on providing unique, top quality knit fabrics. In true entrepreneurial fashion, Peterson seized the opportunity and launched GirlCharlee.com in November 2011.  Four years later, they’ve grown out of their 1000 sq. ft. warehouse into a massive 25,000 sq. ft. facility to serve the demand of Girl Charlee’s large customer base.

What is the reason for the 3750% growth in four years? Peterson explains, “My motto is if you are going to do one thing, you better do it well!” And with that she adds, “By keeping an eye on fashion trends as well as craft and sewing blogs, I continually adapt and evolve the business and our offerings to meet the demands of my customer.” Girl Charlee now offers its own line of Girl Charlee Collection knit fabrics that are 100% produced in the USA. Their fabric line is both knitted and printed locally in Los Angeles, California, supporting the growing #madeinla movement.

There is a current renaissance of proudly wearing “made-by-me” or made by hand clothing and accessories. The popularity of online marketplaces such as Etsy and online showcases like Pinterest, enable individuals to create, show off, and sell their unique brands to the world, have really driven the textile business in recent years.  “We are proud to be able to cater to these customers and enable them to produce their items and grow their own businesses,” Peterson states.  Girl Charlee is unique in that it offers home sewers and entrepreneurs the ability to purchase fabrics "cut-to-order" in smaller quantities so they can minimize the capital outlay on fabrics for their projects and businesses.

The Girl Charlee website offers high quality knit fabrics and Indie designer sewing patterns that cater to all ages. Customers also have free access to sewing tutorials and other features through the Girl Charlee Fabrics Blog and multiple social media outlets that create a real personal connection with their customers.

In the spirit of continually offering their customers fresh and innovative fabric products, Peterson has recently launched KnitFix, a monthly offering of top quality surprise fabrics that their customers go crazy for.  Inspired by her personal affinity for subscription box services like Stitch Fix, Birch Box, and Golden Tote, Peterson put together all the elements that she liked and disliked from each of the services to create the KnitFix concept.

“Our customers are super excited about the KnitFix product and it has been very well received.  We launched a group on Facebook for our ‘Fixers’ alongside the first KnitFix release to allow customers to buy, sell, or trade their fabrics, and also to show off their creations,” Peterson explains.  In just two short months the group has gained immense popularity with over 1,500 engaged members.

Social media and collaboration with popular bloggers such as Caroline Hulse from Sew Caroline and Merrick White from Merricks Art, have been instrumental in helping to grow the Girl Charlee brand. There are many more exciting plans for new product offerings and expansion in 2015 for Girl Charlee. You can be sure that Peterson will continue to evolve and innovate at an exciting pace with unexpected offerings that are sure to delight.

ABOUT GIRL CHARLEE FABRICS

Girl Charlee started in 2004 as a children's clothing line created exclusively from vintage fabrics and trims. Girl Charlee took a bit of a back seat to life in 2008, but did not stop Heather Peterson’s passion of sewing and collecting fabrics. In 2011, after buying fabrics for many years Peterson launched Girl Charlee Fabrics. Girl Charlee Fabrics now offers unique knit fabrics at low prices that are made in the USA. For more information log onto to www.girlcharlee.com

Twitter: @girlcharlee

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/girlcharlee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlCharlee