I'm a plush pattern designer, craft book author, and sewing teacher.
I create unique patterns for stuffed animals from my home studio in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Since 2005 I've been sharing me creations and ideas on design, technique and the online culture of craft through my blog, While She Naps.
My Background
I grew up in Potomac, Maryland and went to Johns Hopkins University undergrad and got a degree in History. Then I joined Teach For America and taught middle school in the Mississippi Delta for two years.
I have a master’s degree in education from Harvard and taught middle school social studies in Newton, Massachusetts before becoming a textile artist and the mother of three girls.
My first book, The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends To Make and Sew was an ALA Booklist top ten craft book of 2011. My new book, Stuffed Animals: From Concept to Construction, is about soft toy design and will be published by Lark in May of 2013. I regularly contribute projects to craft magazines and books and I have licensed toy designs to Simplicity.
Craftsanity Podcast episode #100
Craftsanity Podcast episode #123
Interview with Wellesley Weston Magazine
Interview with Johns Hopkins Magazine
Interview with Meg of Elsie Marley
Interview with Kristen of Plush You!
Interview with Patricia Zapata of Crafty Synergy
Interview with the Wellesley Townsman, Wellesley, MAI love to sew, I love to write, and I love to teach.
Let's make toys!
