Our values
willaby is an Athens, GA-based design studio established in 2014 that makes children’s bedding, blankets, and accessories. We make minimal, understated pieces that are meant to last; not to be quickly discarded, but rather passed down or along to the next child. Cotton gauze fabrics that are 100% GOTS-certified organic, unbleached, naturally dyed in-house, and woven in fair trade-certified mills are cornerstones of our collection. We work directly with mills to weave fabric to our specifications, which produces a fabric that wears and washes up well over time. This level of quality is what sets our gauze apart from other gauze products on the market.
willaby's collection is designed by owner Kim Woods and made locally in Georgia and Kim's Ohio hometown by skilled craftspeople. Amish artisans living near Kim's hometown weave our rugs. All of these highly-skilled women and families work out of their homes. In the purchasing of fabric, we support fair trade-certified textile mills paying a fair wage, providing safe working conditions, and treating the environment with care. willaby practices a no-waste policy, recycling all packaging that comes into the studio, and turning fabric scraps from the manufacturing process into paper for gift wrap. Our hand-loomed rugs are upcycled from fabric scraps, too.
Sustainability, community, and ethical production are at forefront of our practice. We believe that we can make the world a better place by taking care of our neighbors, our children, and our planet.
Our background
Taught to design and make textiles as a child, and trained as a painter later in life, owner/designer Kim Woods believes in a fluid relationship between art and craft. A graduate of The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, her exploration of color as a painter influences the palette she chooses for willaby. Her appreciation of minimalism in all realms, including the lives of children, informs every design.
Kim started willaby in its current form after giving birth to her son. willaby is an extension of her love for him, and her desire to fill his world with safe, thoughtful goods. It is Kim's intention to transmit the love that goes into willaby to every child and adult who uses our products.
Our name
Willaby was Kim's childhood nickname, after a character in her favorite book. Willaby was an avid artist and dreamer. It is with this heart-forward spirit that our company willaby (changed to a lowercase w) was born, and continues to thrive.
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