Meet the maker: Eiderdowns by Anita

They’re the epitome of cosiness, clouds of soft feathers encased in paisley, floral, maybe stripy fabric: the eiderdown. The royalty of bedding, eiderdowns are simply thrown over sheets as a no-nonsense ‘bed’s made’ solution, the ultimate snug shield against winter chills.

Anita Clark of Pahiatua custom makes them, by hand. She’s the only one in New Zealand doing so, tapping into a family tradition that started with her grandfather, Clifton Glanville, who launched the business in Wellington back in the 1940s. 

“My grandfather did it, my mother did it and as a teenager I had the job of sewing and filling eiderdowns,” Anita says. “I had four kids, and when they were little, I picked it up and it grew from there.”

It’s not a thriving enterprise, she says, more of a side hustle to her job as a courier. But she loves it. Using patterns created by her grandfather, she uses down-proof liner to create a pocket, stuffs that with a 50-50 mix of imported feather and down, and sews that into a cover made of boudoir fabric either from her collection or, more usually, provided by the client.

“Generally, people prefer to provide their own because the eiderdown’s going to last for years and years, so it's got to be the right fabric.”

Eiderdowns come in various sizes, from big enough for a king-size bed to just right for a baby’s cot. Anita makes sleeping bags for babies, too. On her website is a gallery of colourful choice: rows of roses, woodland animals, bold bright florals, elegant toile and embossed velvet. It’s hard to imagine making a choice.

Positive reactions from clients happy with their refurbished eiderdowns is a real joy to her. “I’m always so pleased with they get it back and respond well…”

Most orders for new eiderdowns come from overseas, further demonstrating the special – possibly unique – nature of what she’s doing. “You can’t buy eiderdowns like mine elsewhere,” she says.

As she’s been making them for so long, over three to four days depending on their size, the process is now easy and natural enough to be meditative.

“It's my happy place, my sewing room. I put an audio book on and I’m in my own little world out there. I love it.”

Does she have a favourite? She has a collection of favourites – one of which graces the cover of this issue.