May 8, 2026 • Updated May 22, 2026
Small Business Stories: Alyssa Jean of The Prairie Misfit
For her apparel brand The Prairie Misfit, maker Alyssa Jean searches out unique prints and combines them with unique, cottagecore silhouettes to create clothing filled with whimsy and comfort. Read on to learn more about Alyssa’s journey to creating her business, and how Spoonflower fabrics support her on her way.
What is The Prairie Misfit?
My business is centered around sourcing unique, story-filled fabrics and transforming them into small-batch collections. When I say small, I truly mean it. Each collection is usually between 20–50 pieces, all sewn in my backyard studio and photographed right outside in the same space. Everything is made slowly, and every collection is different. I am never recreating the same thing twice, which allows my ideas to stay fresh and constantly evolving. I originally started by curating vintage clothing, especially prairie dresses from the 1970s, like Gunne Sax. I would style and photograph them out on the prairie, but over time I found myself wanting pieces that did not exist. That curiosity turned into action. I taught myself how to sew, and over the past nine years, that creative instinct has grown into a full-time business.What are your favorite Spoonflower fabrics for your products?
Petal Signature Cotton! I use a wide range of Spoonflower designs, but I am often drawn to designs that fall into a soft, cottagecore world. There are so many incredibly talented artists on the platform creating prints that feel both nostalgic and fresh. One designer I return to often is nickleen. Her tomato print and castle designs have become favorites within my community and are always in high demand. And of course “Art Nouveau Frogs” by jillian_nichole_illustration - this is is the design that really made my witch hats take off!Why Spoonflower?
I originally found Spoonflower when I began expanding beyond vintage textiles. For years, I worked almost exclusively with vintage fabric, but as those materials became harder to source, I started looking for alternatives that still felt special. Spoonflower opened up an entirely new world for me. That shift from “vintage only” to incorporating Spoonflower fabrics has been transformative. It allows me to create with intention rather than limitation. I can choose fabrics that align with my vision instead of relying on what I happen to find. That transition also coincided with a major moment of growth for my business. A video of my Spoonflower-based witch hats went viral, and my audience more than doubled almost overnight. Since then, I have been able to grow my team to include two seamstresses while still maintaining a small, hands-on approach.What’s your advice for someone starting a small business?
Trust yourself. There is no single “right” way to build something, and so much of the path reveals itself through doing. If someone else has figured it out, you can too. That mindset is exactly how I taught myself to sew. I also think it is important to be honest about the reality. Building a creative business can be a long and uneven road. There will be highs and lows, and some moments will feel incredibly difficult. I have had collections that did not sell at all and times where I had to take out a loan just to stay afloat. Those experiences were hard, but they shaped everything I have built. You have to be willing to keep going. To learn, adjust, and begin again, over and over. You can find Alyssa online @theprairiemisfit.
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