Why We Still Make Things By Hand (And Why It Matters)

Helen Leavy
1 day ago
2 min read

There’s an easier way to do what we do.

We could outsource everything. We could bulk order, automate the process, slap a logo on something that already exists and call it a day. Plenty of brands do that — and fair play to them. But that was never the point of Thick As Thieves.

This brand didn’t come from a marketing plan. It came from late nights, shared decisions, sore hands, and a need to build something real.

We are Thick As Thieves. This brand is built by the two of us, working side by side.

Built With Intent, Not Shortcuts

"We don’t make things fast. We make them properly"

A clothing fabric with camo pattern features an embroidered crown and eyes. A hand holds a measuring tape, showing a size of 33.

Every piece that comes out of Thick As Thieves starts the same way: with intent. Not trends. Not algorithms. Intent.

We source our blanks carefully. That part matters to us. Fit, weight, feel, durability — none of it is accidental. We don’t grab the cheapest option or whatever’s easiest to get hold of. We choose garments that can actually hold up to being worked on, worn properly, and lived in.

Once we’ve got the right base, that’s where the real work starts.

Customising by hand means being involved at every stage. Sometimes that means finishing a run and realising one piece needs to be different. Sometimes it means scrapping an idea entirely because it doesn’t feel right once it’s physically in front of us.

That’s the part people don’t see.

No Two Are the Same (On Purpose)

We get asked all the time why no two pieces are identical.

That’s not a flaw. That’s the whole point.

Life isn’t uniform. Streets aren’t clean. Stories don’t repeat perfectly. So we don’t force our clothing to do that either.

Each shirt, hat, or piece carries its own marks. Sometimes subtle, sometimes loud. The differences are intentional, even when they’re imperfect.

If you’re looking for factory perfection, this probably isn’t for you. And that’s okay.

Hands holding a torn camouflage fabric mask, revealing an eye design underneath on a dark surface. The mask has gray patterns.

Made While Life Is Happening

This brand is built around real life — not instead of it.

We’re running a business, raising kids, managing responsibilities, and still turning up to make the work. Some days production moves fast. Other days it slows down because life comes first.

That’s not a weakness. That’s the reality we build within.

We want our kids to see what it looks like to create something honestly, without cutting corners, even when it would be easier to do otherwise.