Why a School Librarian Designs Bookish Clothing
I'm Jessie, a school librarian, lifelong book lover, vintage collector, and the creator behind Toadstool Thrift & Craft. The books in my workday and the books in my designs are very much related.
Toadstool brings together the things I keep coming back to: reading, history, education, nature, and the unusual details tucked into old illustrations and paper ephemera. Clothing and accessories give those interests somewhere else to live.
Bookish styles for bookish people
That phrase leaves room for a lot of different readers. Some people want a print that announces its love of books immediately. Others prefer a quieter botanical design, a vintage-inspired detail, or a color they can wear with the rest of their wardrobe.
A book-stack Christmas tree and a sage green literary dress have different personalities. Both can belong in the same little shop. I like that there is room for a playful holiday outfit alongside something you might wear on an ordinary afternoon.
From an idea to a repeating pattern
I build my designs digitally in Canva, combining visual research with editing, layering, and lots of decisions about color, spacing, and scale. Depending on the project, the elements can include public-domain illustrations, typography, photographs, or artwork I have created or licensed for commercial use.
For fabric designs, those elements need to work as a repeating pattern. I test the placement and look at the design on product mockups before choosing the final version. A detail that looks lovely on its own can feel very different when it is repeated across a dress or a bag.
Vintage inspiration describes the artwork or mood of a design. The clothing itself is contemporary merchandise, so the fabric, fit, and care details on each listing matter just as much as the print.
Designed with fellow readers in mind
I create for librarians, teachers, book lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a little whimsy in everyday things. I hope a design gives someone a moment of recognition: the book stack, the botanical detail, or the wonderfully odd little image that feels like them.
You do not need a completely book-themed wardrobe to take part. A bag, a cardigan, or one printed piece can be enough. It is about enjoying what you wear and carrying a little of your reading life into the rest of the day.
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