Hello!
Ankor is woman-owned small business that is dedicated to offering specialty sewing services, with a one-on-one design approach. Anika Caldwell, the sole owner and canvas fabricator, brings creativity and problem solving through into every project detail. She focuses on helping others find the best materials and making each piece tailored to her client's needs.
Ankor was founded in 2015 as a home-based business in NE Portland. As the business grew, Ankor was able to find a bigger space still in the neighborhood at the Toast Studios building in May 2022, where the business occupies 700 sq ft in an upstairs loft-like space with views of the surrounding neighborhood! The space provides an inviting, collaborative environment to work and host discovery meetings with clients.
Aside from fabricating custom marine canvas and cushions, Ankor has been busy creating van interior cushions, re-imagining outdoor patio spaces and works with architects and interior designers to transform commercial settings. Ankor's mission is to provide sewing services spanning from repairing small tears to fully fabricate industrial strength covers for outdoor uses that require water resistance and uv protection. The company can source many suitable fabrics for any environment and longevity is always a high priority when selecting the best materials.
Owner/ Fabricator Anika Caldwell hails from Portland, OR and grew up in a floating home on the Multnomah Channel. She loves being around the water, sailing and exploring secluded beaches and loves spending time in the outdoors. She is very active in local and regional sailboat racing. After obtaining her BA in Graphic Design at PSU, she worked in the marine trades industry. Anika taught sailing lessons, briefly worked at a rigging shop and performed boat maintenance in Port Townsend, all before landing a job at North Sails Oregon where she learned how to sew. As she completed her undergraduate degree, her interest in patternmaking and sewing with fabric became a career objective. Her past roles in production and manufacturing for local companies ended in 2017 as she transitioned into running her own sewing studio full time.
Anika's approach with all projects starts with listening carefully to customer's needs and wishes and her natural ability to problem solve makes her a successful collaborator!
The growth of Ankor depends on collaborations and opportunities all around the pacific northwest region. Boats have used Ankor's gear to travel the high sees from the PNW to Alaska, Hawaii, California, Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond. Producing gear and products people will enjoy is truly the most rewarding part of her job, as well as collaborating with so many wonderful and unique people!