This International Women’s Week, we’re shining a light on Kylie and the team behind Kylie and the Machine, a brand that has brought a huge amount of joy and personality to the sewing community.
Kylie launched KATM in 2017 with a small collection of woven labels designed especially for home sewists. What began as a simple idea quickly resonated with makers around the world. Today, the brand has grown into a much-loved destination for sewing labels, tools, denim hardware and clever accessories that add the perfect finishing touch to handmade garments.
Behind the brand is a passionate team working together to bring each product to life. Aleisha carefully packs every order so it arrives safely at your door. Sally keeps the business running smoothly while supporting the KATM community. Sophie brings the brand to life visually through the beautiful imagery seen across the website and social media.
Together, Kylie and her team have built something special – a business rooted in creativity, humour and a genuine love for the sewing community.
This International Women’s Week, we’re celebrating women like Kylie and her team who continue to inspire makers everywhere. Read on to hear our interview with Kylie.
Q1. When you think back, what people, moments, or experiences helped shape you into the maker and business owner you are today?
Honestly, sewing itself probably shaped me the most. It teaches you patience, problem solving, and how to turn an idea in your head into something real. You make mistakes constantly, you unpick things, you try again. Running a business feels a lot like that, and you can see results along the way, just like sewing!
The sewing community has also had a huge influence on me. It’s full of incredibly generous and creative people who share knowledge and encouragement. Being surrounded by that kind of energy made me realise that the things people make with their hands really matter.
Q2. Creative work by women has not always been given the value it deserves. What does it mean to you to build something with care and skill, and to do it your own way?
Sewing has often been dismissed as “just a hobby”, which is funny because it’s actually a really complex skill. You’re designing, engineering, problem solving and creating something that didn’t exist before.
For me, doing things my own way has meant trusting that the things people love to make are meaningful, even if they don’t always get recognised as serious work. Building a business around sewing labels might sound niche, but it exists because people care deeply about what they create.
Q3. What advice would you give to women who are trying to make space for creativity alongside everything else in their lives?
Start small and don’t wait for perfect conditions. Life is busy and messy and creativity can easily end up at the bottom of the list.
Even small acts of making can change your day. You don’t need hours of free time or a perfectly organised sewing room. Just start where you are and make something.
♡ The Style Arc Team
Sew it ♡ Wear It ♡ Love It ♡ Style Arc