Katie Bartz has a reputation: she’s an adventurer and an inspiring entrepreneur. Starting with hand sewing, learned from her grandmother at age 9, Katie started using a sewing machine in 7th grade Home Ec. The first project was the infamous apron. Katie wanted to pass the class, so she asked her teacher for permission to make a three-piece lined suit for extra credit. Needless to say, she passed the class, with her three-piece suit in hand, AND fell in love with taking flat fabric and creating something beautiful from it! Yep, Katie is an over-achiever! She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems and went on to start her own computer consulting firm in St. Paul, Minnesota. During her 20+ years in the computer industry, she dabbled and learned to work with embroidery machines and began to teach others about sewing and computers. Katie has been fortunate to combine her love of computer technology and sewing, and loves sharing it with others in her classes and through her patterns. Katie’s down to earth teaching style focuses on the techniques — and what you end up with is a uniquely engineered project! Katie now resides in Montana, where she can take further advantage of her love of nature and sewing.