In the attic workroom of her 1920’s home she sits at her grandmother’s 40 year old New Home sewing machine, amidst a clutter of varied patterned fabric, spools of thread, needles, scissors, and assorted sewing tools. This is the home office in which she designs and creates one-of-a-kind baby, children and doll clothing.
No mass production here, she explained. “I used to advertise on eBay,” she said, “but I really don’t want to have to do 25 of anything. I get bored. I don’t know if I could do two of the exact same thing anyway. I make it up.”
Mattocks does have more modern equipment than grandma’s old machine. Her husband Herb, whom she describes as her major supporter, gave her a new sewing machine last year. “I use it sometimes,” she says, “but my grandmother was my inspiration. Her sewing machine is sentimental for me. If her machine stops working I think I’m still going to keep it sitting right there.”
Grandma Donnie Mae Hollman passed away when Mattocks’ youngest daughter was one year old. An accomplished garment maker who “sewed for just about everybody in town,” Hollman also made the business sports coats that her husband Harvey, manager of the local A&P, wore to work.
Hollman tried her best during Mattocks’ teen years to teach her granddaughter the craft, but Mattocks would have none of it. Until one day, as a mother of young daughters, she decided to try her hand at making her children’s dresses. That’s when she got on the phone to grandma. “My grandmother didn’t have the pattern or anything – I did. But she stayed on the phone with me for two hours that first day, walking me through how to make the dress. Boy, did I have a phone bill!” From that day forward, however, she also had a new craft – one she has grown to love.
Mattocks’ business is primarily word of mouth, though she does have a booth at three major local shows – Aiken’s Makin’, North Augusta South Carolina’s Jack O’ Lantern Jubilee, and the Aiken Christmas Craft Show at the local Odell Weeks Activity Center. She works six days a week, eight hours a day at her craft, except for summers when she gladly takes off afternoons to hang out at the pool.
Talking about how she got into the business, Mattocks shared the story of how she and a friend, out shopping, admired a doll for sale that was, well. ” all dolled up.” “You can do that,” encouraged her friend.
Mattocks’ unique creations include smock dresses, matching child and doll outfits, christening gowns, and “whatever people want.” Her turnaround time is one week. In fact, if folks place an order at the Christmas Craft Show she’ll have it for them to present as a holiday gift.
Is Janet Mattocks happy having left behind her teaching career to work at home? “It’s wonderful,” she said. “Unlike a lot of the other girls, I hadn’t liked boys at 12 or 13. I just liked to play with my baby dolls. I still do.”
