Montecito maker creates new designs with Mexican blankets

Serapes? ¡Sí!

Old Spanish Days is over for another year in Santa Barbara, but at the home of Kelly Hatchett, fiesta is in the air all year long as she creates blankets, beach towels and hoodies out of brightly striped serapes, the rectangular blanket-like shawls worn in Mexico and Spanish-speaking countries.

“They are vibrant, colorful, happy and remind me of growing up in Santa Barbara,” said Ms. Hatchett, who launched her company, LaVereda, in 2016.

Deciding on the name was a no-brainer, since she lives on La Vereda Road in Montecito, and La Vereda means “the path or trail” in Spanish.

“I thought it was the perfect name since I spend so much time on the path to the beach with my children or hiking the trails in the mountains. I love hiking and taking my children to Hammonds Beach or Fernald Point,” said Ms. Hatchett.

She and her husband, Che Hatchett, are parents of Cody, 6, and Cheyenne, 4.

A 1986 graduate of Santa Barbara High School Ms. Hatchett attended Santa Barbara City College and while there spent a semester in Florence, Italy, as part of its Education Abroad program. In 2000, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCSB and her degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Francisco in 2004.

“For the next seven years, I was an assistant buyer for Wendy Foster in Montecito. It was a most amazing experience. I learned so much from her,” said Ms. Hatchett. “She has been a true mentor for me and other fashion-minded women in town.”

LaVereda’s first design was a serape-striped baby blanket lined with fluffy fleece, which is the same combination she uses for her large-size blankets. The beach towels and hoodies, for children and adults, are lined with French terry cloth.

“The serapes are made of lightweight cotton, and the pieces can be machine washed and dried,” said Ms. Hatchett. “I’m currently working on blankets for dog beds.”

Prices range from $60 to $180.

The serapes are purchased from a company in San Diego, and the pieces are handmade in Santa Barbara.

“I have an assistant who helps with the larger orders,” Ms. Hatchett said.

Locally, they are available at Chicken Little in downtown Santa Barbara, Angel on Coast Village Road in Montecito, Coco Cabana in the Montecito Country Mart, Folly in Carpinteria and ONEderChild in Solvang.

“I also sell them at the monthly Farmer & The Flea market in the Summerland Post Office parking lot. The next one is Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” said Ms. Hatchett. “I love doing pop-up events and trunk shows because I meet other makers and shop owners who are so supportive. It’s a cool experience.”

She also teaches embroidery workshops at The Mujeres Collective in Summerland, a communal marketplace featuring female artists, designers and makers, and for wedding and baby showers.

“I bring all the equipment for guests to embroider designs on linen napkins for the bride and on T-shirts for babies,” said Ms. Hatchett, who learned how to knit when she was in second grade from her Swedish grandmother.

“Now, I just knit hats, gloves and sweaters for gifts. I don’t sell them, but some day I hope to start teaching knitting classes again,” she said.

“I am the luckiest person on earth. I have two healthy children, and I have a creative outlet that I have been able to turn into a business. It’s a dream come true.”

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

FYI

LaVereda items are available at Chicken Little, 1236 State St. in Santa Barbara; Angel, 1221 Coast Village Road in Montecito; Coco Cabana, Montecito Country Mart, 1016 Coast Village Road in Montecito; Folly, 4786 Carpinteria Ave. in Carpinteria; and ONEderChild, 1576 Copenhagen Drive in Solvang.

For more information, visit www.laveredasb.com.