Member Biographies Dana Bontrager Kamiah, ID Dana has made a career of "thinking outside the fashion box", constantly stretching design and sewing conventions to develop new skills and creativity. She creates designs to enable the wearable artist to fashion unique, eye-catching garments that are both casually simple and wonderfully imaginative. Kathleen Cheetham Sointula, BC Kathleen runs a woman’s tailoring and pattern making shop. She teaches classes on fitting, design and business. Her mission is to see any woman, no matter her size, look fabulous. Kathleen designs especially for the woman with narrow shoulders, D cup bra, rounded tummy and delicious full curves! The look is classic with clean lines that are easy to dress up or down with your choice of fabric and accessories. Connie Crawford Hansville, WA Connie Crawford is a licensed designer for BUTTERICK PATTERNS. She is a nationally recognized lecturer, fashion specialist, educator, and author of sewing and pattern textbooks. Drawing on her 35 years of experience in apparel manufacturing and 23 years teaching fashion design classes in patternmaking, sewing, and draping at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, Connie created her own pattern line with true-to-body fit from sizes X-Small to 6X. Kayla Kennington Silverton, OR Kayla Kennington has been creating one-of-a-kind silk clothing and Showpieces for galleries, individual clients and shows for over 30 years. Modular Design for Couture Artwear is Kayla's small pattern company, translating her more subtle couture garment designs into a pattern collection. Marsha McClintok Portland, OR Owner and head designer, Marsha’s patterns provide customers more than just comfort and style with their hidden pockets for carrying valuables. In addition, she enjoys teaching around the country sharing her passion for sewing. Marsha also leads women on sewing related tours to places like New York and Hong Kong with her Sew Many Options Tours. Lyla Messinger Reno, NV Lyla J. Messinger is an internationally recognized designer, author and speaker. Lyla retired from teaching to pursue her passion to promote fashion sewing by providing simple, stylish garment and accessory patterns, notions, education and inspiration to the sewing public She continually builds her business with innovation, education, and integrity. Pattie Otto Racine, WI Pattie spends her time creating new patterns, teaching, writing books and articles and designing machine embroidery. She has taught extensively, with her favorite classes being machine embroidery, sewing with knits, swim & action wear, heirloom work, serger techniques, and fitting seminars. She also teaches Embroidery Club in Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois and presents a variety of seminars at national and regional sewing expos. Janet Pray Highland, MI Self employed since 1981 as a fiber artist, fiber arts teacher and sewing instructor. She has exhibited her award winning works across the US. Since 1998 she has produced patterns of her most popular coat and cape designs and a series of professional shirt patterns for both men and women. All of Janet's patterns include industrial sewing techniques that do not require pins or basting.