Our Story

Made to Measure was first established by myself, Carla McTear, and my late mother in law, Anne McTear, in 2005.  Anne had retired from McVities, and I left work to have my first child, so we needed a project!

Anne and I had a shared passion for sewing, so we started making all of our own curtains, blinds and cushions. We both had a natural flair for sewing. In her younger days Anne had worked at Larma & Redmaine's. She was an accomplished seamstress and she taught me everything she knew.

Very soon friends and family noticed our talents and we're putting in requests , which then led friends and family wanting to put in orders. 

It was at this time that I got my first industrial sewing machines. I bought a flatbed, an overlocker and a blind hemmer off of my Aunty Jenny.  She was also a curtain maker in Yorkshire.  Sewing is very much in my family. My great grandma and grandad having worked in the Albion mill in Oldham. My Nana being one of the first British female screen printers; and also a seamstress for a boys school near Cowling. 

Initially I transformed our living room into workroom, but it was soon clear we needed and official business premises. Our first shop was on Croft court in Wigton; but within 12 months we outgrew that shop, moving onto the High Street, then Westmorlands Lane, then down to the large unit on station yard. We had built up a fantastic business together with lots of help from our friends and family of course! 

In 2015, Anne became extremely unwell. Sadly in March 2016 she lost her battle with cancer. It left a huge gap in my personal and working life. It was an extremely difficult time and I was struggling to run the business on my own. I had to put my family first for a while. 

Beth joined the business the following year. I was happy to have someone to share my skills with. It was great to have that helping hand and together we have downsized and refocused on what direction the business is headed in. 

Now settled into my premises at No.64 King Street, I'm enjoying my work again and really positive about the future of Made to Measure. Anne and I have always stayed true to our ethos of providing an honest, friendly, top quality service. 

Carla