I am a surface pattern designer and milliner based near Chicago. After a full career as an English professor, I felt a strong urge to focus seriously on textile art. I learned to crochet and sew in my childhood and then made some things every now and again in my adult life. After my retirement from academia, I spent a good couple of years crocheting. Then I bought a new sewing machine and got back into sewing. My focus soon shifted to sewing hats, and then I wanted to design my own fabric for my hats. I now spend most of my time honing my art skills, designing patterns, making hats, and sewing my own clothing. I love this life.