Sandhill Custom Designs

Sometimes life has a way of pushing us toward the dream we were already beginning to imagine.

In 2024, I attended a workroom conference where one of the speakers shared photos of her custom workroom located right in her backyard. I remember seeing that presentation and thinking, “That is exactly what I want someday.” The idea of creating beautiful custom window treatments,soft furnishings and upholstery from a home-based studio stayed with me long after the conference ended.

Then, about a year ago, I learned that the building where Sandhill Custom Designs has been located for nearly 10 years was going to be sold. What first felt like unexpected news became the beginning of a new plan.

Over the past year, there have been many conversations, countless decisions, and a few personal challenges that caused me to pivot and rethink how I wanted my business to move forward. Through it all, one thing became clear: it was time to bring the workroom home.

With just four months remaining in my current space, the transition is officially underway. There is still a lot of sorting, organizing, and moving ahead, but I am excited about what comes next.

As I prepare for this move, I also want to take a moment to express my gratitude. I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the best landlord anyone could ask for. When the building changed ownership, I was equally fortunate to find new owners who have been just as kind and supportive throughout this process.

This workroom has been more than just a place to run a business—it has truly been my happy place for nearly a decade. It is where countless projects were designed, sewn, built, and brought to life. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

The space will be available at the end of September, and I would love to help the new owners find the next tenant who can enjoy it as much as I have. If you know of a small business, creative entrepreneur, maker, or craftsman looking for workspace, please feel free to reach out and I would be happy to connect you.

835 E Turner Rd, Lodi, CA 95240 - Industrial for Lease | LoopNet 835 E Turner Rd, Lodi, CA 95240. This Industrial space is available for lease. • Metal construction • Unit A office area includes private o

There was a time when sewing wasn’t a niche skill—it was simply part of life. Women knew how to sew the same way they knew how to cook or drive. Patterns like McCall’s were in homes everywhere, and fabric stores were part of every community.

Then things shifted. More women entered the workforce, ready-made clothing became inexpensive and widely available, and little by little, those everyday skills stopped being passed down. Fabric shops closed, and something that was once common quietly became rare.

That perspective really stayed with me—because my story started right in the middle of that transition.

I learned how to sew when I was six years old. No formal training, no long list of classes—just a willingness to figure it out. I only took one sewing class in junior high, but everything else I taught myself over time.

Growing up, I made a lot of my own clothes. As life moved forward, that turned into making clothing and costumes for my kids, then projects for friends and family. What started as a simple skill slowly grew into something much bigger.

From there, I moved into home interiors—pillows, soft furnishings—and eventually into upholstery and custom window coverings.

Looking back, it’s not just about sewing. It’s about carrying forward a skill that could have easily been lost. It’s about learning, adapting, and building something meaningful with your hands.

And maybe—just maybe—it’s about helping bring a small piece of that lost culture back.