As a young child, I grew up in what had once been a one-room schoolhouse on the corner of Alber Road and Bethel Church in the idyllic farmlands of Saline, Michigan. My mother handmade nearly all of my clothes and I spent my time making good use of them. I was a tomboy who could often be found hanging from a tree by a gorgeous, home-sewn dress my mom had spent hours making. Life was simple—I spent much of my time in the garden, exploring the woods, tending the chickens, or chatting with the friendly farmers. Pretty soon, however, the old farmers began to vanish and housing developments were being planned in what used to be a cornfield.

As the farmers fields began to disappear, my parents made the difficult choice to move to the Pacific Northwest in search of the personal freedom Idaho could offer. They packed us all up and moved across the country to a beautiful old farm in Moscow, Idaho. The twelve acre property afforded us the space to grow much of our own produce and to begin selling some of the surplus. We five children thrived on homemade meals and the beauty and solitude of one of the country’s most beautiful places to live.

I returned to Michigan while still in my teens, working in my grandparent's gardening business and learning their trade. It was a magical time of life, exploring the woods, playing, working hard and enjoying the closeness of my Michigan family. It was there my grandmother first taught me to sew, beginning with a dress for my eighth birthday. Eventually, though my grandparents hated to give me up, they encouraged me to pursue higher education and I returned to Idaho to get my bachelor's degree. Uninspired by the typical careers available to English majors, I drew on my grandparents' advice to work for myself and pursue my dreams.

Today I live in the mountains east of Moscow where I share too much of my garden with elk, deer, and the occasional bear who blunders into the yard. I began sewing again as a hobby and now find more and more of my time devoted to researching organic cotton and talking to the American companies that mill them. I have developed a personal relationship with many of the artists I source and am excited to share them and their incredible talent with you!

I hope you take pleasure in this handmade article. It is a reflection of my personal journey that really began back in the one room school house and has brought me to this gorgeous area of the Palouse.