Artist Interview: Topography

Greta Bertenshaw is the lovely lady behind designer children's label, Topography. Her cute t-shirts are all hand appliquéd with typography based designs and simple silhouettes in the most gorgeous fabrics. Topography is based in Auckland and is relatively new — we just think they're too cute!


How long have you been doing your craft? I have been playing around with applique for a while, but didn't start doing baby t-shirts until my son was born last year.

How did you get started? I decorated some baby t-shirts for my son, not really knowing what I was doing, and then did a lot of research into materials as I realised there must be a better way! Once I had a process, I made gifts for babies of friends so they could be road-tested, and then people started asking if I could make more.

Describe what you create? Using handcut stencils and fabrics, I applique children's shirts with either a personalised symbol (like a letter or number) or one of my own designs. My original concept was that each client would choose their own design and fabric, but I also enjoy making ready-to-wear items that look different to what you would see in regular children's clothing stores.  

What inspires you? I know it is a cliche, but primarily my children. I am always thinking about what would look good on them, what would my daughter like or how can I use a fabric I love on them. Working with appliqué I have also started seeing silhouettes and layers in everyday things and then thinking about how I could recreate them in fabric.

What would you say is your biggest achievement to date? Being selected for the Art and Craft Fair encourages me that what I am doing is interesting, and that it is the design that is important, regardless of what scale you are working on. 

Do you have any future plans for your work? So far I have been focusing on baby sizes because they make such great gifts and are something that can be kept as mementos (or teddy-bear shirts!) I would like to expand to older children which will mean appealing to their taste as well as that of their parents. I am also looking at other products to appliqué my designs on. 

Where are your favourite places on-line? I love the daily 'Etsy Finds' newsletter and usually click through to look at some of the products, and then google materials or techniques I haven't heard of before. I am so impressed with how generous crafters are, sharing tutorials and tips online, and I learned a lot about making and selling t-shirts on www.t-shirtforums.com. I can also look at fabric online for hours and at one stage got a bit carried away buying 'fat quarters' on TradeMe... a beautiful square of fabric turning up in your letterbox is a simple pleasure.

If you could go back in time and give on piece of advice to yourself when you started, what would it be? Don't buy materials until you know exactly how you are going to use them, even if they seem like a good buy. Of course a fabric you can't resist is always an exception...

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to while you work, if any? I hadn't thought about it until now but I have been working in silence! It is definitely the quietest part of my day after running around with the kids so I guess I have been enjoying that.