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I’ve been wanting to put together another bonnet drop for months now. But between the holidays, Marc starting his new job, and the general rhythm of family life shifting yet again, finding the time to create felt harder than usual.
Creating a collection like this isn’t just sewing. It’s dreaming up new styles, digging through my stash of vintage materials to upcycle, testing combinations, and carving out focused time to bring everything together. For a while, those pieces just weren’t lining up.
Thankfully, we’ve now settled into a routine that allows me to work more intentionally. I’m able to focus on Sweet As April every morning, along with two full days each week where I’m not the default parent and not homeschooling. That space has made all the difference.
If you’ve been following along for the past ten years, you’ll know that not that long ago I had a team of five employees helping me run this business. As the economy changed and demand shifted, I made the difficult decision to scale back and move my studio back home. It was the right decision for our family, but it came with a very real mental shift.
Putting together collections now looks very different. They aren’t as large or as varied as what I was once able to produce, and I’ve had to remind myself often that one person cannot do the work that five people used to do. That reminder doesn’t always come easily.
Even so, I am genuinely proud of the collection I’ve put together this time.
I shared everything this morning in a video on Instagram, where I walk through each style and talk a bit about the choices I made. If you enjoy a more chatty, behind-the-scenes look, I’d love for you to watch.
One thing that will be different with this release is that I’m offering full customization even on the one-of-a-kind bonnets. This allows you to choose the exact style you love, without feeling limited by a single finished piece. It’s a change that better reflects where this business is right now and how I want it to serve both my customers and my family.
While this collection may be smaller than what I created in years past, it represents so many thoughtful shifts I’ve made to support the role I’m in now. One that’s deeply rooted in motherhood, balance, and sustainability. This version of Sweet As April is slower, more intentional, and more honest.
As with past releases, I’ll be locking the website about 30 minutes prior to the drop, which will take place at 6 p.m. EST. This gives me time to ensure everything is set up and ready, so those hoping to shop the one-of-a-kind bonnets can navigate the site easily when it opens.
I’m really proud of what I was able to create, and I’m incredibly grateful for the continued support from this community.
Living in the United States right now feels heavy and uncertain in many ways. My quiet act of resistance is continuing to create beautiful things and putting small moments of joy back into the world. Thank you for allowing me to do that while keeping my children safe and showing up as the kind of mother I want to be.
With love and bonnets,
Carrie
