Inspired by the fabric
Tanya Neary creates dresses, rompers, hair accessories and more at O Sweet Madeline
Tanya Neary was looking for a way to be creative while being able to stay home with her kids. To do so, she decided to take her creativity to the next level. The Mount Uniacke woman says she has always been creative, noting she was quite young when her grandmother taught her how to knit. Neary remembers making little finger puppets and lots of Barbie scarves.
Then, as a teenager, Neary says her mother would help her with her sewing machine. It allowed her to make scrunchies and those country bunnies that were popular at the time. Neary says home economics was one of her favourite classes in high school, noting she loved the sewing part of the term and was fortunate to have great teachers.
For high school graduation, Neary was gifted her own sewing machine.
When she was 26 years old, Neary says she was determined to make her sister’s prom dress. They went shopping for the fabric and – with the help of a family friend – Neary was able to complete it, which was pretty special, she says.
When Neary married and had children, she wanted to find a way to make income to be able to stay at home with her children. So, in 2007, Neary began by making felted sweaters for kids.
“I took a leap and signed up for the Kentville Farmers Market in 2008. I took the sweaters as well as some small sewn items, and the business took off from there,” she says.
In 2012, Neary bought a serger, which gave her the opportunity to shift to sewing more clothing.
Neary’s business, O Sweet Madeline, was born.
Her business name comes from her daughter, Madeline. When Madeline was a baby, Neary used to sing the song Sweet Caroline with her. When trying to come up with a business name, she thought of the song and decided to go with O Sweet Madeline.
Now, O Sweet Madeline focuses on sewn children’s items. She makes a variety of things like dresses, rompers, hair accessories, and hats and bonnets from cotton fabric. At Christmastime, she also makes stockings and other holiday-themed items.
Out of everything she makes, Neary says her most popular item would probably be dresses.
“I think people like to see the fun and unusual prints that I use,” she says, noting how she loves to hear from parents who have passed what their child has outgrown onto friends.
When it comes to deciding what to make next, Neary says it depends on the season. Right now, she is planning for summer, and says she has been working on some rompers. Next up will be hats and bonnets.
She also does custom orders. Her work is a mixture of these, and other items she makes to sell. Neary supplies a few shops around the province. Sewing is a stress release for her.
“I go up in my sewing room and sew away,” she says.
“I think people like to see the fun and unusual prints that I use.”
Tanya Neary Owner, O Sweet Madeline
Besides sewing, she notes, she also loves shopping for fabric, as there are so many prints to choose from. She describes her style as being kind of a mix of modern and retro, fun and colourful.
“Fabric inspires me,” she says. “I have a love for florals and nautical prints, especially.”
One of the best parts of having her own business, she says, is the people she has met over the years. It’s not just customers, but other vendors who she has got to know and stays in touch with.
The most challenging part of the business is the paperwork, says Neary, noting it can be difficult keeping track of expenses and sales for income tax time.
Neary has made items for important milestones in people’s lives, including weddings and christenings. She has also had people ask for specific fabric because it has a special meaning to them.
“One mom told me her daughter tells people that I’m her dress girl,” Neary says proudly.
Some people have been ordering from her since their children were babies, which is pretty special, she says. “Then they tell their friends about me. Word of mouth has been a huge help,” she says.
Neary says she thinks this year will be a busy tourist season, so she is trying to get enough stock ready. Preparing ahead of time can be a challenge, she says.
Eventually, she would also like to get back into doing some felting, or maybe make some of the little sweaters she used to create.
Neary makes and sells full time through O Sweet Madeline. She lives in Mount Uniacke with her husband Mark, and their two children, Madeline and Ben.
To view or purchase anything from O Sweet Madeline, Neary can be found on both Facebook and Instagram. She also attends some markets through the year, as she says it is nice to see her customers in person. Now that her daughter is older, Madeline often helps with the markets and shows.
O Sweet Madeline’s products can also be found at Fae Curio in Sydney, Market Between the Mountains in Berwick, Pumpkin Village and The Sea Shed in Eastern Passage, Ross Farm Museum in New Ross, and The Playful Pumpkin Play Cafe in Windsor.