Maker

Hi, I'm Mailis

Mailis Design OÜ is a micro-enterprise founded in 2013. My passion and joy is turning materials that have outlived their use into something new, beautiful and practical — something that delights the eye and warms the heart.

In my work I place great emphasis on quality and sustainability. I sew mainly from manufacturing offcuts and materials sourced from second-hand shops (upcycled / zero-waste) — handmade pieces for the home, the office, the kindergarten, and as school and gift bags.

Mailis Design products are made in a smoke-free and pet-free environment.

Videos

See the craft up close

Short videos of my work — patchwork quilts, bags and other handmade pieces.

Baby blanket, sensory play mat

Baby discovers the world with their fingers — a brightly coloured play mat for little ones.

Patchwork quilt MOUSE IN THE MIST (240 × 240 cm)

A large day blanket with mice keeping watch over your sleep along its edges.

Patchwork quilt SPRING IN ØKSFJORD (235 × 235 cm)

A day blanket inspired by spring in Øksfjord, Norway.

Spa bag, pool bag, shoe bag (34 cm)

A swim-gear bag for the new season — larger size 34 cm, smaller 26 cm.

Handmade pencil cases

Textile pencil cases and cosmetic bags sewn from production offcuts, trimmed with lace and crocheted little flowers.

Rescued dolls

A little doll rescued from a second-hand shop, restored and paired with a large set of hand-sewn and hand-knitted clothes.

My values

Why my handmade work is special

Hand-sewn in Estonia

Every piece is born in my small studio — not a factory. From start to finish, under one person's hands.

Natural materials

Linen, cotton, wool and lace. I also use furniture-industry offcuts — new life for old fabric.

Finished with love

Every seam is thought through, every pattern carried from tradition. Details worth a closer look.

Ready to gift

I pack orders carefully into a linen bag — ready to give as a gift with no extra wrapping.

How my business began

A slightly longer story, from 2014.

How it all started

When I became unemployed a couple of years ago, I decided not to go back to paid work but to become my own employer. The local music school suggested that, as a seamstress, I could sew instrument bags — for zithers, drums and other instruments. To try it out I borrowed a leather machine and sewed a couple of piano covers; the result was surprisingly good, and I really enjoyed sewing thick, sturdy material. The first bags were made from reused materials — denim, an old uniform sweater, and corduroy.

From business plan to the first machine

At the same time I wrote a business plan and applied for a start-up grant. The first answer was no; I appealed it — no again. There was nothing for it but to rewrite the business plan twice as long. This time, in December 2013, I finally got a positive answer. So the company was registered and the leather machine ordered; by Christmas this 'wonder-beast' had arrived, was assembled and the test seams were done. I was so happy — and that is how Mailis Design began.

Find your favourite

Browse my handmade pieces — patchwork quilts, bags, doll clothes and home textiles, all hand-sewn from natural materials.

Browse products