Motherswork by Rebecca Matthias (1999, Hardcover)

I am staring a company that will design and manufacture bridesmaid gowns that can be worn again for an outing or with a jacket and accessories for a business meeting. Rebecca Matthias started her business after she had no success with finding decent business maternity outfits when she was pregnant. She shares how she step by step, from her home, started her business with the idea that there had to be a way to make a "power suit" for a pregnant business woman. It was extremely helpful because she did not start out with a business plan to start a company. She had an idea, she researched, she searched for a seamstress, searched for a manufacturer, searched for a printer to do her catalog, etc. All this was done while she was nursing her new baby boy, moving back to her home in Philadelphia, and from her kitchen table.
There are thousands of books on the market that are professionally written with business plans galore. Ms. Matthias did not start out to build a company. She started out to create clothing that would benefit pregnant women who are in the work force and need stylish and well made maternity clothes. Her ideas are exactly what I need to know to make my line of wear-again bridesmaid dresses. As I read her book I felt like I was sitting beside her as she was creating a better maternity clothing line.
"MOTHERSWORK" begins at the beginning. You cannot run before you can crawl. For anyone who has an idea for creating a better garment. this is the first book to read. It is said that, "Beginning is half done." This book will tell you where to begin.
Jeanie Swisher 9/07
CRIZANNE Designs
34 South High Street
West Chester, PA 19382
610-431-9586