Sandbox Rebel brings original designs with rock n’ roll funk flair to the kid set

BY KRIS KELLEY RIVERA

Looking for edgy custom-made children’s clothes for a reasonable price? It may sound too good to be true, but it doesn’t have to be. Sandbox Rebel is not your everyday children’s store, and the woman behind it is not your ordinary shop owner. When she’s not trying to save the planet, teach job skills to women in Africa, or raise an almost five-year-old, Jodi Lee Middleton can be found with a pile of fabric, cranking out new designs on one of the sewing machines behind the counter.

Don’t expect pastel pinks and blues in this funky, compact boutique– what you will find are one-of-a-kind pieces for children, newborn to age 6. Each item is hand-made by the 28-year-old, using almost entirely recycled fabrics. For boys there’s tuxedo shirts, or button downs with built-in ties, plaid shorts and pants, even pin-striped suit jackets. For girls, ultra-hip shift dresses with special yokes or sleeves, and skirts made from recycled ties. A big seller for both – reworked concert tees. They’ve been turned into shirts, dresses, pants, and even pillows.

And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to ask. Middleton will make it especially for you, at a fraction of the cost of other made-to-order boutiques. She can customize a t-shirt with a heat transfer or screen print in as little as five minutes, or make custom pants in about two weeks. Even though everything she creates is an original, nothing in the store is over $50, about half of what her main competitors charge. For Middleton this is a conscious decision as she says, “I can’t justify making clothes if I can’t sell them to Moms like me.”

It’s what inspired her to start making her own children’s clothing line in the first place, soon after giving birth to her son Arthur. Not having the money to buy what she considered “cool” clothes, Middleton bought patterns and taught herself to sew. Her first creations were onesies and pants made out of her husband’s old button downs. An herbalist by trade, Middleton fell into designing for others when mothers began commenting on her son’s clothes, and actually buying pieces out of her diaper bag.

“It just happened,” says Middleton, who then began selling her clothing to local boutiques. When a client of hers told her she was closing the store in Sandbox Rebel’s current location, Middleton decided to take the plunge into retail.

As if she’s not busy enough, much of her time right now is spent designing an entire line made out of fabrics from Ghana, including recycled rice and flour sacks. This is part of her work with Project OKURASE–which stands for Opportunity, Knowledge, Understanding, Renewed Health, Arts-Based, Skills Training, and Education. She’s teamed up with a friend to help address the HIV/Aids crisis in Ghana by helping vulnerable woman and children. Profits from the items manufactured here go back to Ghana, where women can then be paid to make items such as diaper bags and school uniforms. Middleton currently has young women interns who work in the store, and help with the manufacturing of this line.

“It’s really all about helping each other,” she says, “while we’re empowering them, they are empowering other women. It’s really a full circle.” Middleton hopes that in the future she can increase the amount of work she is doing in Africa.

Meanwhile, the young designer is also sharing her craft here at home. For the past few years she’s been teaching group sewing lessons to other moms, and now teaches children private lessons as well. Her classes are currently held on Monday evenings, with private classes during the week.

“Sewing is a valuable skill,” she says, and “a great creative outlet”, and “you can have a ton of fun with your wardrobe.” From the looks of the store, and her collection, it seems she’s doing just that.

Sandbox Rebel is located at 12437 Magnolia Blvd, in Valley Village. www.sandboxrebel.com

Kris Kelley Rivera is a former television news writer and producer, and the mother of two boys. She lives in Studio City.