Do you have a lot of old jeans in your closet? Instead of throwing them away, turn them into a chic and functional tote bag. Denim is the ideal material for a bag that can hold everything from groceries to art supplies because it is strong and adaptable.Even if you have never sewn before, this tutorial shows you how to make a basic denim tote.Materials• One or two worn-out pairs of jeans• A rotary cutter or scissors• A sewing machine …
How Visible Mending Transforms Your Denim: Creative Techniques, Culture, and Storytelling
By Sandra Lee Chandler—International Quilting & Sewing Instructor, Teaching Artist, and Founder of Sandra Lee Design Visible mending denim isn’t just a repair technique—it’s a creative act of storytelling. Inside my Nashville studio, the energy is always the same: piles of worn jeans, loved-too-hard jackets, and denim full of memories waiting for a fresh, meaningful chapter. As a teaching artist who travels the world teaching quilting, sashiko, and sustainable textile art, I love showing makers how to honor the life …
What is Shibori? An Introduction to Indigo Dyeing
Discover the fundamentals of the Japanese indigo dyeing technique known as shibori. Attend workshops in Nashville to learn about the history, methods, and process of making your own shibori bandana. Shibori is more than just a craft. Fabric folding, twisting, and binding have been used for centuries as a form of meditation. Because each fold resists dye differently, intentional and unexpected patterns are produced. No two pieces are ever alike.I’ll cover the fundamentals of shibori in this guide, including its …
Sewing Belongs in Nashville: Where Upcycled Style Meets Southern Soul
Sewing Belongs in Nashville: Where Upcycled Style Meets Southern Soul Transform denim, revive memories, and create fashion with purpose at Sandra Lee Design. Nashville’s creative energy thrives on storytelling—and every stitch at Sandra Lee Design tells one.Here, sewing isn’t just a skill. It’s a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and self-expression. Teaching artist Sandra Lee Chandler transforms denim, vintage linens, and thrifted finds into statement quilts and wearable art. Her workshops blend craftsmanship with consciousness—inviting students to stitch their stories while …
Discover Sandra Lee Design: Nashville’s Hub for Modern Sewing & Quilting
Discover Nashville’s New Creative Stitch—Sandra Lee Design Welcome to Sandra Lee Design, Nashville’s new creative home for sustainable fashion, sewing, and quilting. Founded by teaching artist Sandra Lee Chandler, this studio blends tradition and innovation—turning what’s been worn, loved, or forgotten into something bold and beautiful. Why Sandra Lee Design Is Different:While local options like Sew Nash or The Forge Nashville focus on beginner “paint-and-sip” style classes, Sandra Lee Design offers an experience rooted in artistry and storytelling. Sandra’s classes …
A Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Your First Quilt
This comprehensive beginner’s guide will teach you how to sew your first quilt. Sandra Lee Design offers simple quilting techniques and Nashville workshop opportunities. One of those ageless crafts that combines memory, art, and utility into one fabric piece is quilting. Quilts that tell stories, preserve heritage, and provide warmth to loved ones have been made for generations by piecing together leftover clothing, linens, and hand-me-down fabrics.However, if you’re new to quilting, you may be thinking, “I love quilts, but …
