The Handmade’s Tale: Nifty threads from Wellington label Cry Cry Cry Clothing

In the third installment of The Handmade’s Tale, Fran McMullen takes Laura Macfehin behind the scenes of her Wellington-based clothing label Cry Cry Cry Clothing.

Full disclosure– the brilliant mind and and sewing skills behind Cry Cry Cry Clothing is my auntie! I was lucky enough to grow up in a family of very talented crafts-people and as a child I benefitted from their skill in the form of pretty clothes for myself and my dolls. For the past few years my auntie Fran has been sharing her sartorial skills with the world in the form of first Swonderful and now Cry Cry Cry clothing.

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How did you start sewing clothes?

I have been sewing for myself since I was 12, this was extended to friends (and nieces), and the odd paying customer, while I was still at school. I studied garment construction at tech for a bit, but decided not to make a career in the fashion industry. Fast forward 25 years, Ginny and I decided to break out and open Swonderful, as an outlet for our pent-up creative energy. The intention was not to have a store which primarily stocked clothes, but that is how it evolved. People loved our take on vintage!

How did Cry Cry Cry come to be?

Cry Cry Cry started in the year after the Swonderful store closed. There were frocks screaming to be sewn! Here was an opportunity to create clothes a bit less “wearable” or “everyday” than my previous designs. At first CCC was a side venture, just a part-time thing. Then a few changes to my work situation gave me the chance to make it nearly full-time.

Can you describe the aesthetic for Cry Cry Cry?

Cry Cry Cry clothes are inspired by the fashions of the fifties and early sixties. Think fit and flare dresses, high-waisted pants and skirts, pussy bows and cotton prints. The test for any new design is: how would you feel if you found this in an op-shop?

I design for the vintage rather than the modern figure – 25 cm difference between waist and hips, as opposed to the 20cm difference most modern clothes accommodate.

What is the design and manufacture process?

I do very little sketching. Usually I knock an idea around in my head until I’m ready to draft a pattern. Often an awesome fabric will dictate the way a garment will go. A couple of toiles and voila! A whole heap of grading to do (I hate that bit). Then into the repeatinator. I should be so lucky. I am the repeatinator. I have my workroom in the spare room, overlooking Wellington airport and the wild south coast.

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Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration comes largely from vintage garments. Instagram accounts like butchwaxvintage veraciousvintage, cheshirevintage and sibvintage fill my brain with beautiful images every day. I have a bit of a collection of old fashion mags from the 50s and 60s. I love pieces from Horrockses and Claire McCardell.

What is your favourite part of running your own business?

My favourite part is hands down the fans! When someone tells me how much they love their garment, or how well it fits, I get a real buzz. Also – I am a real construction nerd. That 2am lightbulb moment “Hey if I cut the front on the bias and make a separate hem facing …… Brilliant!” Sometimes the trickiest bit is making it all look simple.

What is the hardest part?

The hardest part is when self-doubt creeps in. Will anyone else like it? Have I gone too far? Too costumey? How many shall I make? That, and finding enough time and money to make everything I want.

How do you spend your time when you are not doing Cry Cry Cry work?

When I’m not busy on CCC work I’m likely to be asleep (sometimes sewing in my dreams), or reading. I read A LOT, and I belong to a fabulous book group. Wellington women are an amazing intellectual bunch. Or maybe I’m doing a bit of recreational sewing.

How can people find your clothes?

CCC clothes are available on my website crycrycry.bigcartel.com, and are stocked at Two Lippy Ladies, Rita Sue and Missy’s Room. For custom orders email me at fran@crycrycryclothing.com.

***Special discount for Eclectic Ladyland readers: The code eclectic15 will give you a 15% discount on the web store right through til the end of November.

2 thoughts on “The Handmade’s Tale: Nifty threads from Wellington label Cry Cry Cry Clothing”

Kaye says:
November 3, 2017 at 10:42 pm


I love Cry Cry Cry clothing and can’t wait to get to Wellington to see her and get some pieces for the shop!

LikeLiked by 1 person
- eclecticladylandblog says:
  November 6, 2017 at 9:14 pm
  
  
  It’s pretty fantastic stuff!
  
  LikeLike

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***Special discount for Eclectic Ladyland readers: The code eclectic15 will give you a 15% discount on the web store right through til the end of November.

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