Meet Maita Garrett – the creative mind stitching together smiles, one quirky character at a time.
When life handed her lockdown instead of lemons, Hillcrest’s Maita Garrett dusted off an old sewing machine and created something extraordinary. What began as a boredom-buster during the pandemic has blossomed into Oddballs & Misfits – a collection of wonderfully weird, one-of-a-kind fabric characters that celebrate everything perfectly imperfect about being human.
“I’d been a conference organiser for years,” she says. “When everything came to a standstill during Covid, I just needed something to keep my hands and mind busy. I made my first doll from scraps I found at home – she looked like she had a few chromosomes missing, but she had character! That’s where it all began.”
Soon her home filled with an assortment of peculiar, loveable creations, each with its own quirky grin and offbeat charm. The name Oddballs & Misfits seemed inevitable – and utterly perfect.
By day, Maita still runs her conference business. But in her free time, you’ll find her tucked away in her sewing room (formerly a guest room), surrounded by colourful fabric offcuts, loose threads and half-finished little creatures.
“It’s not work for me,” she smiles. “It’s my happy place where my imagination runs wild.”
No two Oddballs are ever the same. Maita never works from a pattern – each character evolves as she sews, developing a distinct personality along the way. Many of her creations come with a cheeky saying or a note of encouragement – reflections of life’s imperfections and the beauty in embracing them.
“Getting older, going grey, putting on a few kilos – these are all just part of life,” she says. “None of us are perfect, and that’s what makes us special.”
Her materials are mostly offcuts, second-hand finds and donated scraps – a testament to creativity and sustainability. “I love giving new life to things that might have otherwise been thrown away,” she says.
Over the years, she’s made hundreds of Oddballs & Misfits – from zombie-like monsters to gothic teens, and wine-loving aunties to whimsical bats with big messages. She’s even done custom characters for priests, plastic surgeons and artists, each one telling its own story.
This festive season, the Oddballs are getting into the holiday spirit – Maita-style. Forget your traditional elves and angels – her Christmas range is packed with mischief and personality.
“They’re all a little weird, a little wonderful – definitely not your usual Christmas décor,” she laughs. “Each comes with a cheeky message, like ‘Be naughty, save Santa the trip,’ or ‘I’m sweet but twisted – does that make me a candy cane?’”
Perfect as stocking fillers or gifts for friends who appreciate the quirky side of life, every Oddball & Misfit is unique – no duplicates, no factory-made perfection. Just laughter, warmth and a reminder to not take life (or Christmas) too seriously.
Maita’s creations appeal to teens, adults and anyone who could use a smile. Her goth-style Oddballs are always a hit with younger buyers, while her South African-themed characters – complete with local sayings – find fans both here and abroad.
If Oddballs & Misfits had a festive slogan, Maita says it would be: ‘Because normal and perfection are overrated – especially at Christmas’.
Her hope is simple: That each little creature she makes brings joy, laughter, and maybe even a little perspective. “I’ve had people send me photos of their Oddballs travelling the world,” she says. “It’s amazing how something made from scraps can mean so much to someone.”
And that, perhaps, is Maita’s real Christmas message – that beauty, humour and connection can come from the most unexpected places… even a wonky little doll stitched together on a quiet day during lockdown.
You can find Oddballs & Misfits at the Festive Market in Watercrest Mall, at various local Christmas markets, or by contacting Maita directly via Facebook or Instagram (@OddballsandMisfits). Prices range from R160 to R350, depending on size and design, and she’s already taking Christmas orders for personalised pieces.
