After searching high and low for the perfect picnic blanket, designer Mandy Kelly took the leap to start her own business, Spot and Patch.
Having worked as a designer at Designer Rugs, Kelly says this was her opportunity to be involved in something that she loves after noticing a gap in the market.
“I have a very keen interest in design with an interior architecture background… I felt that this was my chance to start my own business doing something that I was really passionate about,” she says.
“I am not only passionate about modern fabric blended with practical design, but I also love the outdoors and the people who I communicate with about picnic blankets. The opportunities are endless: young families, couples, wineries, outdoor concerts and events, picnic hamper and fine food companies, large resorts, gift shops, retailers and more.”
With a young family, Kelly spends a lot of time at parks and beaches, which inspired her new venture. “I have a family with young children and spend a lot of time at parks and beaches. One day I found myself looking for the perfect family size picnic blanket that had a modern design and was light weight (not bulky) with a waterproof backing.
“The harder I looked, the more I realised that there was nothing on the market to choose from. The blankets on the market were either too small, impractical, frumpy or badly designed.”
After almost two years of hard work, Spot and Patch was launched in 2015. While Kelly designs her own patterns, she initially had the fabric printed in China, which proved to be very difficult.
“There was a communication issue and I was never happy with the quality of products that I was being sent. Then I began looking for fabric in India and Japan which I also struggled with. The reason this was so hard was due to the fact that my aim was to make large picnic blankets and the average fabric is only 110cm wide. I also required a cotton/drill fabric, a thicker fabric, which isn’t as common as using a straight cotton.
“The other issue was the minimum order quantity, I just wasn’t prepared to take such a large risk so early on in the business. After having seen many samples that were nothing like I wanted and of poor quality, I decided that the only way I could control my business and provide high quality products was to source and make my blankets proudly in Australia,” she explains.
Spot and Patch’s family size picnic blanket is big enough to comfortably fit four to six people, big or small. Made with a top quality waterproof nylon backing, the picnic blanket rug can be used in all weather conditions, and its heavy duty thickness prevents itchy grass from popping through, making it a comfortable blanket to rest on.
The top layer is made using a durable cotton canvas in three vibrant colours including violet blue, fuschia orange or aquamarine green and picnic in style. The entire rug is bound with a cotton trim.
“We want our customers to be 100 per cent happy at their picnics or wherever they take their blankets. We are using top quality backing that will stop any dampness getting through to the top layer. Our blankets are lovely and light weight, perfect to quickly take with you everywhere you go. Our water colour range is symbolic of the Australian outdoors and particularly modern, we also have patterns that will always be in fashion and enjoyed by many of our customers.”
While Kelly says her main aim has been to focus on picnic blankets, her first sample of cushions is in production and she is working closely with the seamstress to produce the perfect bag to take with the blanket.
“As the seasons change so do our styles, we will continue producing high quality blankets for those special times spent outdoors and inside. We are also open to custom producing picnic blankets for business to suit a particular style or theme―this could be for an event, special occasion, or just for a company’s branding and advertising.”
By Marion Gerritsen
