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Made by Mom: With STEM Stitchery, Holly Springs mom creates clothes that let girls 'wear their smarts on their sleeves'

With STEM Stitchery, Angie Gehrt, a Holly Springs mom of two, creates clothing for girls to show their passion for science, technology, engineering and math.

Posted Updated
STEM Stitchery
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
, Go Ask Mom editor

An article about the different ways we talk to girls and boys flipped the way Angie Gehrt interacted with young girls - and, eventually, was part of the inspiration for her work-from-home business STEM Stitchery.

With STEM Stitchery, Gehrt, a former pediatric occupational therapist, creates clothing that lets girls showcase their love of science, technology, engineering and math with fun fabrics and ruffles and practical details like pockets to hold those field guides and collected specimens.

The Holly Springs mom of two very independent and strong girls - ages 5 and 2 - opened the business in May. I met her at a holiday market at The Streets at Southpoint a few weeks ago and fell in love with her work and her mission. I'm thrilled to feature her here on Go Ask Mom and include her in this year's Made by Mom Gift Guide (stay tuned for details on that on Wednesday!).

Here's my Q&A with Gehrt.

Credit: Lacey McLean at CJM Photography
Go Ask Mom: What's the story behind STEM Stitchery? How do you get started?
Angie Gehrt: Before I had my girls, I remember reading a story online about how conversations are initiated with boys versus girls. Boys are asked about their futures, their interests, and school, and girls are told how cute or pretty their hair, dress and shoes are, for example. That article stuck with me through the years, and I've made a conscious effort to change my habits encouraging intellectual conversations with girls too.

I began sewing off and on for my oldest when she was about 18 months. As she got older, she fell in love with space, medicine, science, and now math. Around three and a half she made her first actual request for clothing. It was for a space dress, only I couldn’t find any that fit her style. Momma to the rescue. That dress gave her so much confidence and allowed her to show off her passion and to have conversations about space. It was magical.

Another preschool parent went gaga over the dress and suggested I sell them. I laughed. Over a year later, I decided I could take this huge leap and encourage our next generation of girls to follow their passions even in male-dominated fields. I thought that maybe by allowing girls to wear their smarts on their sleeves we could change the culture of America, and even the world, because girls everywhere need to know they can do just as much as boys.

Courtesy: Angie Gehrt
GAM: You do a lot of custom work. What all do you offer and in what sizes?
AG: I specialize in pocketed skirts and dresses for young children and babies, but am also able to do larger sizes if requested. I am even happy to mash sizes to fit (for example: adding length, but not width). The themes and fabric choices available are exponential, but science, technology, engineering, and math themed pieces are obviously my favorites to create.
GAM: What kind of reactions do you get from customers?
AG: "Yes!" Would be the easiest most concise way to answer that question.

My supporters in general are excited to see clothing that encourages girls to be more than what mainstream media says they can be. They are happy to see clothing that allows their girls to show off their passions and smarts. I wish I had a photograph to share of one kindergartner's eyes when I told her the stars on her new space skirt glowed in the dark. She was a fan before, but her eyes were glowing with excitement! She was beaming, and I could tell she would wear that skirt with pride and feel confident showing it off all day long. I have been pretty excited by the interest dads have shown in my pieces as well. It's obvious they want more for their girls too.

Credit: Lacey McLean at CJM Photography
GAM: What's your hope for the future of STEM Stitchery?
AG: My hope from the heart is that STEM Stitchery is a contributing piece of the puzzle in changing our country’s culture to see girls as equals. I would also love to find a great non-profit to donate to as a company - a non-profit that helps girls receive educations, so they have brighter futures.

As I expand and hire sewing help, I’m hoping to tie my occupation therapy background back into the company by working with vocational rehab to hire individuals with special needs. On paper, I initially defined success as when STEM Stitchery was a household name with undeniable brand recognition, but I recently started picturing STEM Stitchery as a brick-and-mortar storefront where girls come to shop, play and be inspired. STEM Stitchery is so new it’s hard to predict the future, but I’m excited about what ever it is the future holds.

Credit: Lacey McLean at CJM Photography
GAM: How can people find you?
AG: My website is STEMStitchery.com. STEM Stitchery can also be found on social media at facebook.com/stemstitchery, and instagram.com/stemsitichery.

I don’t currently have any additional in person sales scheduled for the rest of 2018, but I always post events and outings on my Facebook page so local customers know where to find me.

Courtesy: STEM Stitchery
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