Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassidy Liland.
Hi Cassidy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sister & Sewn Collective grew out of a year marked by both exciting change and deep grief. In 2024, after the loss of our beloved grandmother, my husband and I made the decision to move from Dallas to Fort Worth to be closer to my family. We purchased a 1926 home just down the street from my parents, in the neighborhood where I grew up. As I began imagining how to make this house feel like home, I found myself drawn back to textiles and design, rediscovering a creative interest that had long been buried beneath graduate school, private practice, and the responsibilities of building a family.
At the same time, I was craving an outlet. I’m a clinical psychologist, and much of my work centers on grief, loss, and trauma. While deeply meaningful, it’s emotionally heavy work. Sewing and creating became a way to process my own grief while also giving my mind somewhere restorative to land.
The turning point came in an unexpected way—my then five-year-old daughter asked if I knew how to sew so I could make her a few things. She has an incredible eye for detail and color, often incorporating pattern and texture into her artwork and self-portraits. That question felt like an invitation. I signed up for a sewing class at Urban Spools in Dallas, but in true fashion couldn’t wait for it to start. I bought a sewing machine, watched countless videos after the kids were asleep, and began teaching myself. By the time the class arrived, I was eager to create.
I shared my enthusiasm with my younger sister and co-founder Tara Blythe who lives in Washington, D.C. She’s always loved DIY projects and working with her hands, and before long she bought a sewing machine too. We learned together from afar—sharing progress, mistakes, and small wins. After a trip to a Dallas fabric store with my mother-in-law and a few late nights playing with names, Sister & Sewn Collective was born.
In the beginning, we posted pillows locally for porch pickup on Marketplace. From there, word spread, repeat customers returned, people trusted us with their own fabrics, and others asked us to source and design pieces for them. We were lucky enough to connect with a designer, who we later coined our fabric fairy godmother, due to the amount of fabric remnants we were able to source through her. Today, we focus on selling through social media and Etsy, sharing our work and journey on Instagram at @sisterandsewn.
Looking back, it feels like this business had been quietly forming for years. I was finally at a place in my personal and professional life where I had the confidence to step outside what felt expected and lean into something I had long told myself I wasn’t “creative enough” to do. Although Sister & Sewn has officially existed for just over a year, it feels deeply familiar and like a story I’ve known all along.
Our grandmother’s presence continues to show up in small ways. During a recent photo shoot, I realized many of our fabric samples are stored in her old shoebox. She had an extraordinary ability to make her home feel layered, welcoming, and intentional, without excess and on a budget. Though she didn’t sew, she was an entrepreneur who founded a restaurant my parents have now run for over 35 years. That spirit of building something meaningful runs deep in our family. My mother, too, is incredibly creative, though much of her energy has always gone toward caring for others, through taking care of her customers, employees and giving back to the city of Fort Worth, which is a reality many women can relate to.
Giving back has always been important to us. Last year, Tara and I chose to support Genesis Women’s Shelter, purchasing much of their immediate baby needs. Philanthropy will continue to be an integral part of Sister & Sewn as we grow.
Looking ahead, my hope is to continue developing our skills, sourcing remnants and vintage textiles, and collaborating with other female creatives and small business owners. We love giving new life to materials that might otherwise be overlooked and turning what was once leftover into something that elevates a space and changes how it feels. I’ll always continue my work at Women’s Mental Wellness, but having a creative outlet has expanded my capacity to show up fully in both spaces.
I’m embracing the uncertainty of where this journey leads, but I’m confident in the direction. The more I learn, the more I want to connect, collaborate, and encourage other women who are on the brink of leaning into something that’s been inside them all along. Sister & Sewn is about honoring stories—past, present, and still unfolding.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like anything new, it hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road. There have been plenty of mistakes along the way, and a lot of learning by doing. Early on, something as simple as sewing in a zipper felt like a mountain, but we stayed with it, problem-solved together, and kept going. There’s still so much we want to learn, from taking more professional sewing courses to better understanding the language and nuances of different fabrics.
In the beginning, there was definitely a sense of imposter syndrome wondering if we really knew enough, or worrying whether someone would like the pillow once it was finished. Putting something handmade into the world can feel surprisingly vulnerable. At the same time, navigating our different personalities and figuring out who handles what has been its own learning curve, especially working across distance.
That said, those challenges have been part of what’s made this experience so meaningful. Each mistake has built confidence, and every small win has reinforced that growth comes from staying curious, being willing to learn, and showing up imperfectly but consistently.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sister & Sewn Collective is a sister-founded brand creating heirloom-quality pillows made from high-end designer textiles. What began as a personal creative outlet during a season of grief and transition has grown into a thoughtfully curated collection rooted in craftsmanship and intention.
We specialize in handmade decorative pillows crafted from carefully curated luxury designer remnants, often incorporating vintage textiles to give beautiful materials new life. Each piece is finished with classic construction details and designed with a focus on timeless, non-prescriptive design that allows each pillow to support the feeling and function of a space rather than dictate it.
What sets Sister & Sewn apart is our deeply personal, small-batch approach. Inspired by our grandmother, we believe a home doesn’t need to be extravagant to be beautiful; it needs to feel thoughtful and lived-in.
At its core, Sister & Sewn is about slowing down, making things well, and creating pieces that add warmth, meaning, and a sense of ease to the places people call home.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is being authentic, curious, and collaborative. At Sister & Sewn, we create pieces we would genuinely want in our own homes, made thoughtfully, ethically, and with longevity in mind. That approach allows us to be intentional in how we source and produce, give back where we can, and support causes and creatives that align with our values.
I’m especially drawn to working alongside other small business owners and creatives who are living authentically and doing their work with care. My background in private practice has taught me that when you stay in your lane and focus on doing your work well, there’s always room for collaboration. The best outcomes, whether in healthcare or business, come from shared perspectives, second opinions, and strong networks, and I carry that same mindset into Sister & Sewn.
I also want my children to see that even though I spent much of my adult life pursuing a doctorate and building a clinical practice, that doesn’t mean I can’t try something new or learn different skills. I recognize that the security of my career allows me to take creative risks that aren’t possible for everyone, and I’m deeply aware of that privilege. Still, life is short, and I believe it’s important to honor all parts of your interests rather than quieting them.
In a time when so much emphasizes shortcuts or faux versions of things, we’re committed to going back to basics by using quality materials, valuing craftsmanship, and creating pieces meant to last. Homes hold memories, and the objects we live with become part of our stories. I believe our environments shape how we see ourselves and how we experience the world, and while these are material goods, how they’re made and the care behind them matters deeply.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sister-sewn-collective.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: @sisterandsewn
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SisterSewnCollective
Image Credits
Annabel Vigil Photography
