Sewing with the next generation of makers

Why is it important to me?

I started sewing when I was just four years old. At the time, it wasn’t about perfect stitches or making something beautiful—it was about creating, exploring, and expressing myself in a way words never could. As I grew older, sewing became more than just a hobby. It became my sanctuary. Whenever life was overwhelming, chaotic, or painful, I always turned to sewing for comfort. It’s been my therapy, my quiet place, and my most trusted form of healing.

Ten years ago, I took that passion and turned it into a mission. I founded the Creativity Shell, a nonprofit organization that teaches sewing and other creative arts to children as young as three years old. Our programs now reach children in schools, libraries, shelters, juvenile justice facilities, and our own studio in Kingwood, Texas. But more than just teaching them how to sew, we are teaching them how to create, how to cope, how to express themselves, and how to heal.

Sewing with the next generation of makers is important to me because I know firsthand what a powerful tool it can be. I’ve seen children come into our programs unsure of themselves—some shy, some anxious, some carrying the heavy weight of trauma. And I’ve seen those same children light up when they finish their first project, proudly holding something they made with their own hands. That moment of pride, that spark of confidence, is what keeps me going.

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, children are often missing opportunities to slow down, use their hands, and tap into the creative part of their brain. Sewing teaches patience, problem-solving, resilience, and mindfulness—all skills that are essential for life. When a child learns to thread a needle, fix a mistake, or finish a project, they’re also learning how to navigate challenges in the real world.

There’s also something deeply human about passing down a skill that has been shared for generations. When I teach a child to sew, I’m not just teaching them how to make a pillow or a skirt—I’m handing them a thread that connects them to the past, to creativity, and to themselves.

Sewing saved me many times throughout my life. Teaching it to the next generation is my way of giving back, of planting seeds of creativity, strength, and self-worth in young hearts and minds. My hope is that these children grow up with the tools to face the world—not just with fabric and thread, but with confidence, creativity, and courage.