As Small As You Are started with a sewing machine, a kitchen table, and a desire to design pieces that were both beautiful and lasting. Founded in Glasgow in 2021 by Laura Grime, who designs and embroiders every single piece by hand in small batches. As well as creating unique one off custom pieces. What started with a collection of hand sewn baby bonnets, grew into a thoughtfully crafted brand of both timeless and beautifully unique childrenswear.

We spoke with Laura about the beginnings of As Small As You Are, finding inspiration in nature and family life, the beauty of handmade clothing, and growing a business while remaining true to its values.

We'd love to hear the beginnings and concept behind As Small As You Are. Can you tell us a little bit about this?

As Small As You Are started as I wanted to carve myself a new creative outlet. I studied to be a musician (I’m a violinist and pianist) but with 2 young children and the implications of the Covid pandemic on the music world, I decided it was time to do something new. I’ve always loved sewing and creating. I’ve done embroidery since I was a child, refining and finding my style as I got older. Natural fibres feel beautiful, life giving and crucial and around me the world was offering more and more manmade fibre clothing which felt like the last thing I wanted to dress my children in. I feel that clothes should be artful expressions of ourselves - I certainly enjoy dressing myself with that ethos. It has grown over time, into a job I love.

Has anything changed since you started out?

LOTS! I have so much more time now that my youngest has gone to school. I’m no longer having to work in the evenings which is a blessing. I’ve now launched a womenswear side to the business which has been very popular - I was always getting the same request of ‘please can you make this in my size?.’ In terms of production, not much has changed. I’m still working from home, dreaming up new collections, working as efficiently as I can as a one woman team!

There is such a strong sense of artistry behind every piece. What are the unique design elements that characterise your brand and collections?

As Small As You Are celebrates organic shapes. I never use templates for my pockets, they’re always cut by eye. I’m a very free cutter, I don’t hugely like the constraints of traditional precise sewing. I never use an overlocker, preferring a French seam and a lining to make clothing soft and comfortable and a joy to wear. My embroidery, however, is what sets my brand apart. It’s done by my hands alone, it doesn’t really get much more personal and special than that. I enjoy finding a theme for my embroidery and running with it - seeing where it will take me.

Could you elaborate on the ethical practices and values As Small As You Are upholds in the production process, particularly within the context of using natural and eco-friendly materials?

I really care about where the fabrics come from. I’m checking provenance and primarily use fabrics from trusted sources like Merchant & Mills in the UK. Northern European linen means it’s grown with rain water alone, and flax doesn’t get doused in chemicals so it’s a safe fibre to use. In production, it’s just me, I’m working alone. I use all the scraps of fabric in creating the accessories in each collection and I really don’t have much waste at all. Occasionally I put some linen scraps into my compost bin in the garden too! This is seriously small scale in terms of my own waste output.

Can you share a little about your studio and working space? How do you fit work around family life?

I’m lucky enough to have a work space at home in our attic. Although it’s small and I sometimes share it with my husband, we manage to make it work. It means I can be economical and I’m only 2 minutes walk to my girls’ school. I work no more than 6 hours a day really so I’m available for them after school. I’m always trying to incorporate making and creativity into our lives in the afternoons so sometimes I use that time to sketch ideas while they’re drawing or painting and I think up colour combinations. We also spend time at our allotment in the warmer days and I find that inspiring (as do the girls). It’s a fun place to do a photo shoot or make some content for instagram, full of rambling grassy paths and overhanging plants and trees.

Your designs feel deeply connected to nature and storytelling. Where do you look for inspiration?

I hunt! I love illustration particularly for embroidery ideas and use an array of creative books. Gardening books, illustration, folk art, historical embroidery, design books, I have books about the V&A museum collections that I love. I also love children’s books and find them inspiring not only for the clothes, design but also for the colour palette that might appeal. Gardening is something that I find hugely inspiring. The vast array of colour, shape and form, and watching all the plants grown in their beautiful, artful ways is brilliant. I love being immersed in nature, the visits from birds, squirrels and a passing cat. It gives me so much vitality as a physical outlet too - I love getting my hands dirty!

What aspects of your creative process do you find most challenging/fulfilling?

The most challenging aspect of creativity for me is carrying on even in the Winter - I struggle to get out of the slump of the season and look forward to Spring. I’m quite an impulsive person, an in the moment creative - an idea will spring forth and sometimes I struggle to remember it, to retain it (as a busy mum) for when I can then build on it. From time to time I get a bit stagnant working in isolation and wish I could bounce my ideas off others. My family are fellow creatives and I find their input very helpful sometimes.

What is your most favourite piece that you have ever created?

This is a hard one! Probably the first ever linen jackets I made for my daughters. They’ve fitted for years and I really love a piece that grows with your child. I also love the Ariadne Romper as babies look so cute in it and it’s such a fun shape.

What do you hope for the future of As Small As You Are?

I hope to keep growing sustainably. I don’t want to ever expand in a way that’s harmful for people or the planet. I want to develop my own craft further and I keep an open mind about where this journey might take me.

Rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and a deep appreciation for sustainability, As Small As You Are is a celebration of slow, thoughtful making. From hand embroidered details and carefully chosen natural fibres to pieces designed for play, comfort, and everyday beauty. We are delighted to share the world of As Small As You Are with our community.

We invite you to explore our collection from As Small As You Are and follow Laura on Instagram to see her recent embroideries.