Richmond mompreneur's environmental responsibility shines in her work

Jenny McGurk, Mompreneur, Fleur Fabrics

From bridal gowns to bullet wounds, this local Richmond mom has sewn it all.    

Jenny, of Fleur fabrics, first began sewing when she was thirteen.  Her mother taught her how to sew as many of our mothers and theirs before them did.  Fast forward twenty years and see how the seed her mother planted took root, and eventually became the driving force in both her career and life. 

After receiving her BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1999, Jenny has sewn professionally in a variety of regional and professional productions and venues including the Richmond Ballet, local theaters, running the costume department at Kings Dominion, commercials, and working along side award winning directors, designers, producers, and actors in the fast paced and demanding movie industry.

In August of 2008 Jenny opened a retail space in the heart of Richmond’s fan district.  Fleur fabrics offered sewing classes from the basics on up to altering your own clothes.  It quickly became the mecca for Richmond’s sewing crowd and students.

It was at this time that Ninny’s Nappies was born. Jenny started out just selling the fabric needed to make cloth diapers, but she quickly realized that people would much rather buy the finish product rather than making it from scratch.  Jenny’s sister had asked her to make several cloth diapers when her new baby was born. Jenny also tested some prototypes for her then 2 year old son.  After she realized how easy they were to use with him she started doing some more market research, asking local parents what their needs were and what they were looking for.  From this came Ninny’s Nappies, her own line of cloth diapers, which can now be found at Richmond's Ellwood Thompson Natural Food Market.  The concept of reusing and recycling is just an extensions of her families life style, they are vegetarians, they compost, recycle, and shop local. Making cloth diapers just made sense to Jenny, “its something I believe in and hope will be the norm in a few years”.

In July of 2009 Jenny decided that the demands of the retail store were taking away from the creativity that has made her who she is. “I need to be creative to be happy healthy and alive, while the store gave me the opportunity to do this, the ‘extras’ involved in running a retail business steered me away from my passion.” 

Her store still lives on though through her etsy store and she can also be found at the local South of the James Market on Saturdays.  Jenny currently makes organic all in one cloth diapers, organic swim diapers, wetbags, nursing covers,and baby slings. She also does a lot of custom work, everything from wedding dresses, alterations and home decor! 

What does the future hold for Jenny?  Organic reusable nursing pads, and possibly a line of diapers made from recycling clothes. “Dads old sweatshirts and tee shirts would make great cloth diapers!!” 

What advice does Jenny have for other new mom’s, “Listen to your own instincts, don’t take too much advice from others you will know what is best for your baby.  Also make your own food, its so much healthier, and cheaper.