Caitlin “Cait Conquers” Trantham wields a sewing machine as her weapon of choice. 

This San Diego-based content creator transforms discarded clothing into viral sensations, one upcycled garment at a time. Her TikTok feed is a kaleidoscope of creativity, where thrift store castoffs metamorphose into runway-worthy pieces.

Trantham’s journey from reluctant quilter to sustainable fashion icon is as unexpected as her designs. She’s built a community of eco-conscious followers eagerly awaiting her next thrifty transformation. 

Her unique approach to content creation blends DIY ingenuity with a dash of sustainability, serving as a refreshing antidote to the endless stream of fast fashion hauls dominating social media.

Cait pulls back the curtain on her creative process, revealing the challenges of balancing content creation with family life, brand partnerships, and success.

Transforming Thrift Store Finds Into TikTok Gold

Cait’s foray into sewing began over a decade ago when her mother gifted her a sewing machine. However, it wasn’t until the birth of her second child that she found the motivation to learn, teaching herself through online resources.

Initially focusing on quilting, Cait found the transition to clothing design intimidating. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but it proved to be a turning point for her creative pursuits. 

Confined at home, she began experimenting with items in her closet. 

“I started looking at things in my closet and thinking, ‘I could do something with this,’” she says.

Cait’s approach to upcycling was an educational tool, allowing her to deconstruct garments and understand their construction. Despite her creative endeavors, the mother of three hesitated to share her work on social media. 

It took encouragement from her stepsister to explore platforms like Instagram and TikTok. “One person believed in me. She said, ‘You should do it.’ And I said,’ That’s all it takes,'” Cait recounts.

Inspired by fashion designer Sarah Hambley’s TikTok videos, Cait saw an opportunity to showcase her upcycling process. 

“I thought I could do something like that. I took clothes and made them into something new,” she says.

Early Success and Platform Recognition

Cait’s entry into content creation coincided with TikTok’s expansion, giving her a steady advantage. 

“I felt like I brought something new and unique to the platform, which was exciting for me and others,” she explains.

Her timing proved fortuitous as TikTok was actively nurturing its creator base. The platform contacted Cait, inviting her to participate in early creator programs. 

“I was in a couple of the first programs they had with their creators,” she recalls. “I was actually in the beta program for the creator fund before it was the creator fund.”

Cait’s first viral video was pivotal, though it brought new challenges. “I didn’t sleep that whole night,” she says. “You’re sitting there trying to figure out, ‘How do I recreate it?’”

Despite her growing success, Cait faced skepticism from those close to her. “My number one challenge was that everyone thought I was very silly,” she admits. Her husband, initially doubtful, has since become supportive.

The technical aspects of content creation also presented a learning curve. “Creating videos is hard,” Cait explains. “There’s so much more to it than most people realize.”

Platform Strategies

Cait’s creative process is driven by spontaneity and intuition. She believes her best content often stems from impromptu ideas, typically sparked during thrift store visits. 

This approach, while unpredictable, fuels Cait’s passion: “That’s what keeps me coming back for more. That’s the exciting part of it.”

Regarding platform strategy, Cait feels most at home on Instagram. 

“I’ve had Instagram since its inception,” she says. “I engage more with my audience there.” However, she acknowledges the platform’s limitations regarding creator support.

TikTok, where Cait started her content creation journey, now presents hurdles. 

“I don’t know TikTok right now. I’m not sure where it’s going,” she admits. Recent changes, including music restrictions, have dampened her enthusiasm for the platform.

YouTube, meanwhile, offers new opportunities. 

“YouTube has been the app that has been the most supportive of creators,” Cait observes, highlighting the platform’s creator engagement efforts, including policy meetings and feedback sessions.

“Balancing content across platforms gets overwhelming sometimes,” Cait says, noting the different requirements for each platform.

A Dress Made of Community

Cait’s most fulfilling project to date uniquely involved her audience. She invited followers to send tea towels from their hometowns, an initiative that initially caused her apprehension. 

“I was very scared that no one would want to participate,” Cait admits. The response, however, exceeded her expectations. 

“I opened it, and it was so full that they needed another box,” she recalls of her first visit to the P.O. box. Cait received over 800 pieces, along with letters, local information, and even gifts for her children.

This collaborative effort culminated in a dress that Cait entered into the San Diego County Fair, winning second place in the sewing and upcycling category. 

“To win anything was an honor for me,” she says. The project’s impact extended beyond the award, as Cait observed fairgoers engaging with the piece. “Almost everyone stopped at the dress to ask, ‘What is this? What’s it made out of?’” she notes.

The project taught Cait valuable lessons about her capabilities and the power of community engagement. 

“It taught me a lot about expectations, myself, and perseverance,” she reflects. “I didn’t want to let anybody down.”

Creative Work-Life Balance

Like many content creators, Cait Cait grapples with maintaining a work-life balance. 

“I think the do-it-all expectation is not real,” she admits. If you’re focusing on one aspect of your life, there will be a detriment in another aspect of your life.”

Cait has implemented self-imposed limits on her workload to manage and spend time with her family.

When possible, she involves her children in her creative process but acknowledges the difficulty of comparing her output to creators without similar family commitments.

“You’ve got to set expectations for yourself and be kind to yourself,” Cait advises. 

She remains skeptical about achieving a perfect work-life balance but stresses the importance of continually striving for it. 

“As long as you’re aware that you need the balance and you’re searching for the balance, I think that you can keep going,” she concludes.

Advocating for Sustainable Fashion

Cait sees her work as a contribution to the broader conversation about sustainability in fashion. 

“I just really want to be an example of the possibilities for people to see what’s possible when you try to reuse things instead of always buying new,” she explains.

Her impact is evident in her followers’ behavior. “I have so many people that message me and say, ‘I’ve never been thrifting. You inspired me to go to a thrift store,’” she notes.

While uncertain about the scale of her influence, Cait remains committed to her mission: “I just need to keep pushing forward, keep putting myself out there, and just show people what can happen and what’s possible.”

However, her stance against fast fashion presents challenges in the influencer space. It’s hard for her to collaborate with brands because her platform is not a sales platform. 

She advocates for a different approach to brand collaborations: “I think more brands need to get on board with hiring a creator to create and not just for ad space on their page.”

Despite these challenges, Cait sees potential partnerships with craft-oriented brands like Brother, Joann’s, or Michael’s. She remains open to collaborations with “any other brand that would like a creative take on advertisement.”

Finding a Voice

Cait offers candid advice to aspiring creators: “You’ve got to find your voice. You’ve got to find your place,” she admits. “Don’t try to be somebody else. There’s only one of you.”

The creator highlights perseverance while maintaining a balanced perspective. “Just keep pushing forward. Take breaks if you need to. Always know that you’re just human,” she advises.

Cait aims to make upcycling more mainstream without preaching. Her goal is to inspire excitement and self-motivation in her audience.

Importantly, Cait offers a nuanced view of success in content creation. Although she does not consider herself highly profitable at this stage, she feels successful in growth and impact. 

“There are different levels of success,” she notes, referring to the importance of recognizing small wins and personal growth.