We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Dozbaba. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.

Alright, Danielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you manage your own social media?

I currently manage my own social media for LaRae Handmade, handling everything from content creation to engagement and strategy. I want to maintain an authentic voice and direct connection with my audience and since my brand is focused on showcasing my creative process, sewing patterns, and the various video series, I believe it’s important for my followers to hear directly from me!

The results have been great in terms of community building and engagement. I get real-time feedback, build genuine relationships, and have the flexibility to experiment with content styles. However, it does take a lot of time, and balancing content creation with the actual work of designing and sewing can be a challenge.

For business owners trying to decide whether to manage their own social media or outsource it, I’d say:

1. If your brand relies on personal storytelling and authenticity, managing it yourself (at least in the early stages) can be beneficial.
2. If content creation takes too much time away from your core business, hiring help, whether a freelancer, agency, or even just an editor can free you up to focus on what you do best!
3. Consistency matters more than perfection. Done is better than perfect when it comes to social media. Don’t be afraid to be cringe or worry about what other people think, just make it authentic to you and your brand.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Danielle LaRae, the creator behind Larae Handmade. I’m a designer, maker, and storyteller who specializes in upcycling textiles into one-of-a-kind jackets, as well as creating sewing patterns that empower others to make their own unique garments. My journey into this craft started with a deep love for sewing, sustainability, and storytelling through fabric. Over the years, I’ve refined my skills, turning forgotten or discarded materials into wearable art that carries history and character.

My work revolves around giving textiles a second life. Through LaRae Handmade, I create unique jackets from vintage fabrics, thrifted textiles, and even repurposed materials like blankets and canvas from industrial processes. I also design sewing patterns that allow makers of all skill levels to create their own pieces with a focus on upcycling and creative garment construction. Whether you’re an experienced sewist or just starting out, my patterns are designed to be approachable, versatile, and inspiring.

I also just started the Sewcation series, where I travel to different places, hunt for textiles at thrift and antique shops, and create jackets inspired by the location – bringing my audience along for the creative process. Through this series, I showcase not just my work, but also the possibilities that come with sustainable fashion, mindful making, and travel.

What sets LaRae Handmade apart is the emphasis on craftsmanship, sustainability, and storytelling. Every piece has a history, and I love sharing that through my content on social media, where I document the sourcing, design, and sewing process. Beyond making clothing, I want to inspire people to see the potential in discarded materials, embrace a more sustainable approach to fashion, and feel confident in creating their own garments with my patterns.

I’m most proud of the community I’ve built. People who appreciate slow fashion, creativity, and the idea that clothing can hold memories. I want my followers and potential clients to know that each jacket I make is designed with care, intention, and a commitment to sustainability. Whether you’re trying to find a one-of-a-kind piece, learn how to sew your own, get inspired to upcycle your own textiles, or just follow along for the creative journey, I’m so glad to have you here!

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Yes! At the end of 2024, I took the leap and went full-time with LaRae Handmade after working at Patagonia for seven years. My time at Patagonia deeply influenced my values around sustainability, quality craftsmanship, and mindful design, all of which now shape the work I do with my brand.

LaRae Handmade started as a passion project in 2021, a way for me to combine my love for sewing, upcycling, and storytelling. I initially made one-of-a-kind jackets from vintage and repurposed textiles in my free time, sharing my process on Instagram. As my audience grew, I realized there was real excitement around what I was creating, not just the finished pieces, but the ethos behind them: sustainability, creativity, and giving textiles a second life.

The real turning point for me was when I launched my unisex Coast Coat sewing pattern. I had been making jackets for years, but releasing my own pattern allowed me to share my designs with a much wider audience. Seeing people create their own versions of the Coast Coat, putting their own spin on it, and embracing the process of slow fashion was incredibly rewarding. It was at that moment I knew LaRae Handmade had the potential to become something bigger than just my own handmade pieces, it could be a resource and inspiration for others to sew sustainably.

Some key milestones in my journey:

1. Growing my online community to 100,000 + where I share my creative process and sustainability-focused work.
2. Selling my first upcycled jacket and realizing that people not only appreciated the concept but wanted to wear these pieces!
3. Launching the Coast Coat sewing pattern which took LaRae Handmade from a one-person creative brand to something that could inspire and equip others to sew their own garments.
4. Starting the Sewcation series where I travel to different places, source textiles from thrift and antique stores, and turn them into one-of-a-kind garments.
5. Going full-time with LaRae Handmade at the end of 2024 and making the decision to fully invest in my creative work and take it to the next level.

It wasn’t an overnight shift, there were years of late nights, learning curves, and gradual growth, but taking that final step to go full-time felt like the right move. Now, I’m focused on expanding my work, designing more sewing patterns, collaborating with brands, and continuing to build a community around sustainability, creativity, and slow fashion.

For anyone looking to turn their side hustle into a full-time business, I’d say: build it up while you can, test your ideas, engage your audience, and when the time feels right—trust yourself to take the leap.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I started posting on Instagram in 2021, sharing my journey of upcycling textiles and sewing unique jackets, and since then, @laraehandmade has grown into an amazing community. As of now, I’ve shared over 400 posts on Instagram, growing it to almost 100k followers, along with 13,000 on TikTok and 2,000+ on YouTube.

In the beginning, I simply shared what I loved- sewing, thrifting, and upcycling fabrics into jackets. I wasn’t focused on numbers. I was just excited to document my creative process, but I quickly realized that people were drawn to the storytelling behind my work and how each textile had a history and how I transformed it into something new.

A few things that helped me grow:

1. Consistency – I posted regularly, even when I wasn’t sure if people were watching. Over time, this built trust and engagement.
2. Authenticity – I didn’t try to be overly polished or perfect. I shared my successes and my struggles, and people connected with that. I realized that
3. Educational & Entertaining Content – One of my favorite ways to connect with my audience is through my “Sewing Tips Most People Know, But I Didn’t Know Them, So Maybe You Don’t Know Them Either” series. It’s a lighthearted, pun-filled way to share sewing tips that I’ve learned along the way- things that might seem obvious to experienced sewists but were total game-changers for me. I’ve found that by keeping it fun and relatable, people engage more, share their own experiences, and learn something new without feeling intimidated. Whether it’s a simple trick for better topstitching or a mind-blowing hack for cutting paper patterns, this series has been a great way to educate while making people laugh.
4. Engaging with My Community – I made an effort to respond to comments, answer DMs, and interact with my audience. Social media is about connection, and the more I engaged, the stronger my community became.
5. Creating Sewing Patterns – This was a major turning point. People loved my jackets, but the release of my first sewing pattern allowed others to be part of the process. Seeing people make their own versions helped grow my audience even more.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is: Start before you feel ready. Post what excites you, be consistent, and focus on providing value. Whether that’s inspiration, education, or entertainment. You don’t have to have it all figured out, you just have to start.

Also, don’t be afraid to pivot and experiment. The content that resonates most with your audience might surprise you. Lean into what works, but always stay true to what you love.

Social media has been a huge part of growing LaRae Handmade, and I’m so grateful for the incredible community that has formed around sustainable sewing and creative fashion. I’m excited to keep sharing, growing, and connecting with even more like-minded makers!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laraehandmade.com
• Instagram: @laraehandmade
• Facebook: @laraehandmade
• Youtube: @laraehandmade
• Other: @TikTok – laraehandmade

Image Credits

Erica Stark