He learned how to sew just over a year ago. Today, his signature plastic bag logo with a smiley face is worn proudly on the shorts of students, skaters and bikers alike.

Senior Sammy Hedlund has a clothing company called takeout shorts. He recently released his finished product to the world: mid-length shorts that are unisex, waterproof, durable and popular all over campus.

“I’ve always liked unique clothes,” Hedlund said. “The next step for having cool, unique clothes was making my own.”

During winter of 2017, Hedlund decided he wanted to learn to sew along with his roommate and friend Caleb Winn ‘18. As soon as he put pictures of the shorts on his Instagram, Hedlund said he had several friends asking for a pair.

“I was like, ‘Okay cool. I have something that’s capable of fostering demand,’” Hedlund said.

After 20 prototypes of different styles and fits, he settled on what would be the final product.

Winn was instrumental in the development of Hedlund’s business model. He said the two spent hours talking about marketing, revenue and advertising.

“Sammy has an incredible Instagram presence right now.  Winn said. “I think that what takeout is bringing that’s different is this index finger on the pulse of core culture.”

There are four colors to choose from: yellow, black, green and lavender. Hedlund settled on a durable nylon material. However, the demand soon became too much to keep up with on his own.

“It takes me three or four hours to make a pair by hand,” he said. “At this point in the company’s life, [a manufacturer] is the only feasible option,” he said.

On April 20, Hedlund released 100 pairs of shorts, all of which sold out in 24 hours.

Junior Julia Wenick modeled the shorts in the takeout shorts ad campaign, which was published solely on the takeout shorts Instagram page.

“My first impression was that they were very versatile, and I was shocked that they fit me,” she said.

Wenick and Winn both said takeout’s Instagram presence is part of the reason the launch has been so successful.

Though the shorts are currently sold out, Hedlund says he’s planning on two more drops of product before the summer is over.

“For the next drop, they’re gonna be the exact same. Same colors, same design. After that, we’ll see,” he said.

Though Hedlund’s career at UVM is coming to an end, he said he’s staying in the Burlington area to coach the UVM bike team and to work on more designs.

“It’s been really tough but really rewarding getting to where I am right now. I hope I have the opportunity to keep growing,” he said.