Meet Hilarie!

I like to say that I began to sew even before I could properly read. At about four years old, my grandmother helped me create my very first project—a bright yellow purse embroidered with my initials in Schiaparelli pink yarn. That early experience sparked a lifelong passion for sewing, fashion, and creativity.

Throughout my childhood, I spent countless hours making clothes and elaborate accessories for my dolls, Barbies, and eventually, myself. My grandmother, who owned a plant nursery, encouraged my creativity and occasionally allowed me to sell my handmade items alongside hers, fostering my entrepreneurial spirit from an early age.

My passion for sewing continued to evolve, and by high school, I was designing custom dresses for cotillions and proms. I studied fashion design at The Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising at Kent State University. Later, I transferred to Sweet Briar College, where I deepened my studies in Art History, particularly focusing on the History of Costume through portraiture. Though Sweet Briar didn't have a dedicated fashion program, their vibrant theater department provided me valuable opportunities to hone my skills in costume design, supported by internships with Tom and Linda Platt in NYC and Meg's Swimwear in Virginia Beach.

After graduation, I launched my own lines of women's clothing and accessories, managing the design, production, and sales in boutiques. Over the years, my experience expanded further into designing swimwear, custom bridal gowns, and collaborating with other talented designers.

Drawing from these diverse experiences, I founded Little Stitch Studio with a focus on fashion education. I've since authored two sewing books: Sew Bags: The Practical Guide to Making Purses, Totes, Clutches & More (2019, C&T/Stash) and Sew Your Own Wraps, Capes & Cover-ups: Simple shapes to embellish with your own personal style(2021, C&T/Stash), and published several sewing patterns.

Today, I teach sewing and design nearly every day and remain involved in the sewing community. I'm proud to be a member of The Costume Society of America, the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, and a BERNINA Brand Ambassador. I've been featured on WHRV’s Hearsay with Cathy Lewis and PBS’s Creative Living with Sheryl Borden, and my work has appeared in Sew News and Love Sewing magazines.

Little Stitch Studio embodies my lifelong enthusiasm for creative education—providing a welcoming space where learners of all ages discover the joy of sewing, design, and making.