Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katie Estay. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Being a creative who works with various textiles is much more than a 9-5 job that pays the bills, it’s a way to give life to a once loved item; such as an old tablecloth that used to grace someone’s grandmother’s (or great grandmother!) table. Old curtains from a once young little girls bedroom, looking through windows, gazing up at the stars with wishes and wonder. It does make me wonder what stories these things could tell if they could speak! Being able to repurpose items that hold a story, makes for a more meaningful and truly unique experience in the guise of wearable art. Being able to create a dress that cannot be found in a store is always my goal. It’s a humbling experience to have the privilege to make a little girls dreams come true with “THE” dress of her dreams! It allows me to revisit my own childhood of wanting to wear all the pretty things and feeling beautiful from head to toe. Childhood is a gift and should be treasured, I’m grateful to be included in so many of my clients special memories of their children’s childhood.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi there! I’m Katie with Liana Grace. I offer timeless girls clothing. I first learned to sew from my childhood best friend; our first project we made together was an American girl doll nightgown, she also taught me how to smock a bonnet- from early on I appreciated the time and skill it took to make heirloom clothing. My Paternal Grandmother sewed as well and told me that the inside of your clothing should look as neat as the outside. My Grandmother and I have a very close relationship, a love for gardening is also something she passed along to me as well. Sewing has always been a creative outlet throughout my life, when things get hard, being able to create something of beauty that brings joy and a sense of specialness to another gives me purpose. . I have 6 girls, and once their closets were overflowing, I started selling to help recoup my expensive hobby, which, over time, developed-I think my biggest strength that sets me apart is my eye for color and use of trims, my greatest inspiration is bringing the garden and nature into your little girls wardrobe, I have been selling for 8 years and my mission is to bring you something a little different, to make you smile and capture the innocence and effortless joy of your child’s childhood.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

For me, sewing is something I have to do, if I would lose my hands and the ability to create, a part of my soul would die- creating something beautiful to wear helps my soul heal and my inner child experience a glimpse back in time to carefree days.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Right now, I’m in a pivot point of trying to balance career, being a Mom to growing children who need me, and learning balance in it all, it’s not easy! A few years back, I tried overseas manufacturing for my designs and I lost a lot of money, and truth be told, I hated not being hands on, I had to pivot my business strategy and now have a team of seamstresses who help me, that are moms as well! It’s not easy but it’s something I love and am embracing the growing pains that comes with a growing business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lianagrace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lianagracehandmade?igsh=MXB2aGU3d3Foa3dqdA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LianaGraceHandmade

Image Credits

Tiffany Gurholt Photography
All eyes on M.E. (Hali Sims)
Dani Fabiola
Esther Kim Studio