Welcome to SewSuited

Hi, I’m Melissa, the maker and teacher behind SewSuited.

I’ve been sewing and crafting for many years, blending my love for quilting, bag-making, and fashion into a style that’s both creative and practical. My journey began at Bauder Fashion College, where I studied design and developed a strong foundation in sewing and garment construction. Since then, I’ve worked in costume design and sewn for teams, with garments that have appeared in movies and on television.

Before nursing school, I created a sewing program at Newcomers Network in Clarkston, Georgia, where I taught refugee mothers sewing skills. The goal was to help them develop streams of income from their homes or simply find joy in a new craft. It was a powerful reminder of how sewing can foster confidence, independence, and community.

Teaching has continued to be central to my work. I’ve taught sewing at JoAnn Fabrics in Snellville when they had an education department, guiding students through the joy of creating with their own hands. I also ran a sewing outreach project that made and sent over 2,000 reusable cloth sanitary napkins to students in Sierra Leone, where we also taught hygiene and menstrual health education to more than 200 young women. These projects showed me how sewing can be both deeply practical and life-changing.

Alongside my sewing journey, I am also a registered nurse with a PhD in Nursing Education. My background in healthcare and education gives me a unique perspective as both a maker and an instructor. Whether in clinical teaching or creative workshops, I believe in empowering others through hands-on learning, patience, and encouragement.

Here at SewSuited, I combine my experiences in fashion, education, healthcare, and community outreach to create a space where makers can learn, grow, and feel inspired. From quilting to bag-making, my mission is to help you build skills while discovering the joy of creating something uniquely yours.

✂️ Let’s stitch something amazing together!