Preschool Beginnings

Sarah’s journey into sewing began as a little girl, where her fascination with the craft was sparked by her Aunt Dian. Although her tiny hands weren’t yet steady enough for the intricate work, Sarah’s determination knew no bounds. On a family trip to the downtown toy store in Milford (that still stands today), when her mom offered to buy her a toy, Sarah instead chose a how-to sewing book. The book was filled with basic hand stitches and simple projects that set her imagination alight. Inspired, Sarah hand-stitched a strawberry-shaped pin cushion for Aunt Dian. While the gift was heartfelt, Sarah had a secret motive: she wanted to prove she was ready to learn more. Her aunt, impressed and touched, finally agreed to teach her. Sarah vividly remembers her first time using a sewing machine, perched on Aunt Dian’s lap, guiding fabric through the needle. It was the start of something extraordinary.

Elementary School Adventures

By the time Sarah was in second grade, her love for sewing had blossomed. She began using her mom’s sewing machine, a treasured gift her parents had gotten in the early years of their marriage, to create small projects. However, Sarah soon needed an upgrade. A trip to Joann’s with her parents led her to a pivotal choice: a simple machine with charming yellow flowers on it… or a more advanced sewing machine option (without flowers). Captivated by the floral design, Sarah chose the former due to reasons unspoken until recently, but certainly, a decision that marked the beginning of countless creations. That trusty machine became her partner through summer sewing classes and camps, where her mom made sure she had every opportunity to refine her skills. By the way, Sarah’s mother, Cynthia, does not sew but is certainly plenty crafty and artistic in many other ways!

By third or fourth grade, Sarah had surpassed the beginner classes and was eager for more advanced challenges. Unfortunately, formal adult sewing classes had an age requirement of 18, and Sarah was too young. Determined, her mom Cynthia showcased Sarah’s intricate dresses to advocate for her. Though the classes still remained out of reach, their efforts caught the attention of Vicki, a seasoned seamstress, who invited Sarah to her home in Plymouth to learn more. Vicki became a mentor, teaching Sarah not only technique but also the importance of quality. “She was so wonderful and just walked into our lives,” Cynthia recalls. With Vicki’s guidance, Sarah grew from an eager beginner to a skilled craftsman.

Fifth Grade Milestones

Fifth grade marked a turning point in Sarah’s sewing journey. While Sarah was working with Vicki, her dad asked what kind of equipment might be helpful. Vicki suggested a serger sewing machine, and encouraged by her advice, Sarah’s parents invested in the machine—a professional-grade tool used to create polished seams. This $500 purchase in the early 2000s was a testament to their belief in Sarah’s talent. “It felt good to know they were investing in this, which means I’m doing a good job,” Sarah recalls. That summer, she mastered the serger, creating outfits for herself, her sisters, and her friends. For the first week of school in 5th grade, Sarah wore a different handmade outfit each day, subtly impressing her teachers. Her creations spoke volumes, even as Sarah quietly kept her talent hidden.

Her commitment to sewing was evident in her daily life. One evening, feeling she had nothing suitable to wear the next day to school, Sarah whipped up a skirt from scratch at 8:30 PM. This level of dedication became a defining feature of her early years.

Middle School Creativity

During childhood, Sarah’s creativity extended beyond sewing to knitting and crocheting. On a two-week family road trip out west, she brought yarn, needles, and crochet hooks to occupy her time. When she ran out of supplies, her siblings joined her in scanning every highway exit for Joann’s store. This persistence highlighted Sarah’s deep-rooted passion for creating.

During this time, Sarah also began experimenting with fashion design. At the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, she learned the art of sketching her ideas into fashion illustrations. In high school, art teachers Mrs. Harvey and Mrs. Harbar encouraged her greatly to pursue her fashion talents, leading Sarah to begin creating garments using unconventional materials. One standout project involved crafting a dress from Chex Mix bags, their shiny interiors giving the garment a futuristic flair. Another innovative piece was a dress made from 2,000 bandages, generously provided by the Curad Bandages company after her teacher Mrs. Harvey reached out asking for a donation. These projects highlighted Sarah’s creativity and growing identity as a designer.

High School and Beyond

When Sarah met her husband, Billy, at 14, she initially kept her sewing hobby a secret, fearing it wasn’t “cool.” Eight months into their relationship, she finally revealed her passion, and Billy quickly became one of her biggest supporters.

In high school, Sarah’s parents’ basement became her creative haven. Although renovations temporarily disrupted her workspace, the basement eventually evolved into the heart of her sewing endeavors. It was humbly here in her parent’s basement that Sarah’s business truly took root.

Sarah’s family played an instrumental role in her journey. Her younger sisters, Angela and Melissa, often served as her early models, enduring long fittings and photo shoots with a mix of patience and protest. “Poor things had to wear my hideous garments with a smile on their face,” Sarah recalls. As her skills improved, her sisters transitioned from reluctant participants to proud supporters…and now couture models for their own weddings.

A Lifelong Passion

For Sarah, sewing was never just a hobby—it was her calling. From stapling paper dresses for her Madeline doll to crafting intricate gowns, her journey has been one of relentless creativity, determination, and growth. With the unwavering support of her family and mentors, Sarah transformed her childhood passion into a thriving career. Today, her designs reflect not only her technical expertise but also the love and dedication that have defined her journey from the very beginning.

To hear more about Sarah’s inspiring journey, tune in to the podcast where she and her mom, Cynthia, relive the heartfelt stories of her childhood and the moments that shaped her passion for design, click to listen to the full podcast episode on Dressing Up with Sarah Kolis. Listen here.

Author: Abby Reilly

Photographer: @pennyralenephotography