Introducing Elaine from E Design Studio. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Samford Valley, Queensland, Elaine handmakes quilts, gifts and keepsakes - all crafted with joy and love.
Find out why Elaine started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
In my Samford Valley studio, I create quilts, bags, and children's keepsakes. I choose quality fabrics with care, sometimes waiting until I'm absolutely certain what I want to create from them. I sew each piece mindfully so it feels both cosy and lasting. Any scraps left behind are never wasted - I use them to create new treasures, weaving even the smallest pieces into something meaningful.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
My journey to becoming a handmade artist began while I was still dancing professionally. On tour, as head girl, I was in charge of caring for all the costumes - so I taught myself to sew. What began as a necessity quickly grew into a love. When I retired from dance, I bought my own sewing machine and started creating pieces for my home, then for my children and family.
For many years it was simply a creative outlet and beloved hobby, but over the past year I've poured my heart into turning that passion into my business, E Design Studio. Now, every stitch is part of building something meaningful - handmade keepsakes designed to bring comfort, joy, and lasting memories.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration often comes from the tiniest things - a line in a book, a colour I notice, or an idea that just pops into my head and I can instantly imagine as a quilt or bag. I'm also inspired by fabrics themselves.
Where did you learn your craft?
I am completely self-taught.
My first lessons came from necessity when I was dancing, caring for costumes on tour, and teaching myself to repair and alter them.
From there I learned through trial, error, and persistence - starting with small home projects, then challenging myself with new techniques as I sewed for family and friends. In recent years, quilting has become a true passion, and with every piece I create I continue to refine and deepen my skills.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade artistry is important to me because it allows me to create pieces that are individual and meaningful. I love making one-off designs that come from inspiration in the moment, as well as custom orders that are always unique to each customer.
While a few of my general pieces may be identical, there's always variation in fabric or detail that keeps them special. For me, handmade matters because it gives people something they can't find anywhere else, and it also honours sustainability - even the tiniest scraps are given new life.
Elaine is a much loved member of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Handmade Marketplace of Australia ~ and sharing their new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with E Design Studio, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
