After decades of sewing for other people, Wanganui woman Dawn Potaka has started her own home clothing business.
"I went straight from school to a sewing factory at 15 years old," she said.
There followed a series of jobs in the many Wanganui clothing factories, plus sewing for her family.
"To me, it's
just being the typical Kiwi and having to recycle everything and make the most of everything. I've done clothes, wedding dresses, costumes, curtains and shoes," she said.
In her late 40s, it was a combination of grandson Shodan and that principle of using what you have that started her new one-woman business, Morporks.
She wanted to make baby Shodan a vest to keep him warm and dry, had some oilskin fabric and came up with a design that worked. Then she made more vests for children in the family, and gave some away.
She started making them for sale last October. After some marketing trips in the central North Island, she's now supplying three shops and waiting for winter orders to arrive from others.
The Riachs at The Wool Company in Utiku have asked Ms Potaka to design some matching children's overpants.
Ms Potaka can make about 12 vests a day, in a sewing room in her garage, and will do adult sizes if people want them. If orders increase, she will be able to contract out production.
She chose the name Morporks because in Maori spirituality, the morepork is a protector - and her clothes protect children from cold and wet.
"They're little owls, and they're keeping little children warm."
The fabrics she uses are a waxed cotton imported from the British Millerain Co in Thailand, with a polar fleece lining.
She's designed her own logos and started her business without borrowing a cent, and while giving one per cent of sales to Bird Rescue Wanganui Manawatu.
Ms Potaka wanted to thank her business mentor, Geoff Hintz, who was paid by Te Puni Kokiri, and her accountant Trish Gee.
For more information, visit www.morporks.co.nz
