Today we’d like to introduce you to Hillery Sproatt.
Hillery, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have a background in fine art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. I worked for my Mother’s clothing company, Specks & Keepings (specksandkeepings.com), for many years before starting my own business. My mother, Debra Weiss, is a fiber artist and clothing designer, so fabric was a major part of my upbringing. I was heavily influenced by her love of textiles and pattern. Her home studio, which is in Los Feliz, is stocked full of hand pieced quilts and Japanese cotton.
I worked for a short time at Unison (unisonhome.com), a family-owned home goods company in Chicago. I began work on a collaboration with Robert Segal and Alicia Rosauer, the husband and wife team behind Unison. Robert and Alicia were the first to take my paintings and turn them into functional linens for the home. It was a very exciting time!
After that, I began designing knit blankets from my paintings and the rest is history…
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Running a business is full of joy, endless learning, and skillful time management. I find being a business of one requires patience and understanding for yourself. I often can’t get as much done in a short time as I’d like because it’s just me. So I am constantly reminding myself that all I can do is my best. It’s a small reminder, but it proves very helpful.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I design knit blankets inspired by my paintings. My blankets are made from recycled cotton and can be machine washed and dried. I am fortunate to work with a wonderful family owned knitting mill here in the USA. They make it their mission to source high quality, sustainable yarns for their throws, which are knit on Japanese industrial knitting machines.
My blankets are a re-imagining of my small works on paper. I draw inspiration from nearly everything I take in; places I’ve visited, conversations I’ve had, books I’m reading or a flower by the side of the road. All these things find their way into my work. At the moment, I find myself inspired by countless self-taught artists, children’s drawings, Paul Klee, Picasso, Matisse as well as Scandinavian, Japanese and Eastern European design.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
– My Mother, textile artist, and clothing designer, Debra Weiss (specksandkeepings.com). Her beautiful work is endlessly inspiring.
– My knitter has long been active in his field. He is kind, skilled and an excellent communicator. I have learned so much from working with him.
– My dear friend Amanda James, a talented textile and bridal designer, for all her help with Photoshop…boy, is there a lot to learn!
– Robert and Alicia of Unison for our wonderful collaboration that inspired me to begin my business.
– My partner’s love and endless support.
Contact Info:
- Website: hillerysproatt.com
- Instagram: @hillerysproatt
Image Credit:
Portrait: Catherine Weis of Bestowe Gifting (https://bestowegifting.com/)
Blanket Photo: David Studarus (https://davidstudarus.com/)
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