Meet the founder

Hi, I’m Charlie, the heart and hands behind Upper Stitch.

I'm a mother, a wife, and like many people, I wear a lot of hats. Before launching this small business, I spent years working in pastoral care within education—supporting disadvantaged young people and believing wholeheartedly that this was my purpose. I loved every second of it and truly thought it would be my career for life.

But life had other plans.

After a significant car accident, my health took a turn that meant I could no longer continue in the role I loved. Leaving work wasn’t easy—but it gave me the chance to find a new path, one that still lets me create, connect, and inspire in a whole new way.

That path became Upper Stitch.

What started as a creative outlet from home has grown into something much more. Upper Stitch is a space where passion, resilience, and purpose come together. Through it, I’m showing my children—and myself—that while disability may shift the direction of your life, it doesn’t have to stop your journey.

Thank you for being here and supporting this dream. Every order means the world.

With love,

Charlie

Founder of Upper Stitch

Our story

Upper Stitch began with a simple idea — to do things differently.

It all started at home, creating custom workwear for my husband’s business. Armed with nothing more than an embroidery machine, a DTF printer, and a drive to create something meaningful, I quickly realised there was a gap in the market for truly personal, high-quality custom clothing.

Too often, I saw companies outsourcing everything — using drop shipping, cutting corners, and relying on cheap materials. The result? Mass-produced products that lacked care, character, and consistency.

I knew there had to be a better way.

At Upper Stitch, everything is done in-house. From design to embroidery to printing, I oversee every step to ensure each item is made with care, precision, and pride. No faceless middlemen. No mass production. Just genuine, small-batch craftsmanship with a personal touch.

We’re here for businesses, teams, events, and individuals who want custom clothing that actually means something — made by someone who truly cares about quality, detail, and customer service.

This business may have started small, but it’s rooted in big values: integrity, creativity, and doing right by every customer who chooses to support us.

Thank you for being part of our story.

— Upper Stitch

Our values

These are the principles that guide everything we do:

Quality

At Upper Stitch, quality is never an afterthought — it’s at the core of everything we do. By overseeing all production in-house, we maintain full control over the craftsmanship, ensuring every piece meets the high standards we’re proud to stand behind. We carefully source our materials from trusted local suppliers, helping us reduce our carbon footprint while supporting small businesses close to home. Most importantly, we only use garments we’d be happy for our own family to wear — comfortable, durable, and made to last. When you shop with us, you can be confident you’re choosing clothing that’s thoughtfully made with integrity, care, and attention to detail.

Giving Back

At Upper Stitch, we are committed to supporting causes that align with our values and passions. Our Happy Bunny range marks the beginning of our charitable efforts — with 10% of all profits from this collection proudly donated to Bloody Good Period, a charity dedicated to ending period poverty and improving access to reproductive health education. We believe that no one should be held back by their period, and we’re proud to contribute to a movement that promotes dignity, equity, and education for all.

Community

At Upper Stitch, community is at the heart of everything we do. We believe every young person deserves to feel seen, valued, and included — especially during milestone moments. That’s why we’re committed to providing free leavers’ hoodies to schools, specifically for disadvantaged students who may not have the means to purchase one. It’s a small gesture with a big impact — helping young people feel a sense of belonging and pride alongside their peers. By supporting Upper Stitch, you're not just investing in quality custom clothing — you're helping us give back, one hoodie at a time.