An early childhood educator turned Riley Blake Designs fabric designer. I'm a doll, quilt and craft pattern designer, a mother of four, and the founder of Sew A Story.
My creative journey began in a place you might not expect. I trained to be a professional ballet dancer, spending hours every day training in the studio. However, behind the stage, I found myself captivated by something else entirely: the costume wardrobe.
I was drawn to the artistry of the fabrics, the transformation we as dancers felt when we wore these handmade costumes, and the stories that were created when we danced in those costumes without ever speaking a single word. It was there, learning to sew ribbons on pointe shoes and mend bodices, that I discovered my love for sewing and storytelling through fabric!
Fast forward to my adult years, I used my Early Childhood Education degree to help open up, facilitate and manage a Family Resource Center in our local community for over 15 years. It was here that I saw just how powerful creativity could be in strengthening family connection and shaping positive behavior. I watched parents light up when given simple tools to connect with their children. Equally, children’s behavior changed when they had this short but focused time with their caregiver. That’s when it all clicked. I was facilitating a bridge between imagination and connection through creativity!
At Sew A Story, we help families create meaningful, story-filled projects through sewing, quilting, crafting, and imaginative play. We offer hundreds of patterns for quilts, crafts, and machine embroidery dolls. Each one is designed to make it easy for families to bring creativity into their homes without overwhelm.
