I have sewed since I was very young, from doll clothes, to clothes for me, to "actionwear" during the Zuba fabric era, to dance garments and flags and banners. Ready-made patterns were too restrictive (and the directions always confused me!) so I made my own patterns and combined my own ideas and ways of putting things together, which is somewhere between costume and fine sewing.

I was blessed with five sons who put up with my hand-sewn creations, but I missed out on making girl-y stuff. At a change-point in our lives, one of my daughters-in-law, Rachel, encouraged me to make little girl dresses and start a shop on Etsy to sell them. I wasn't at all interested --- I had "been there, done that" with a couple of other sewing businesses. Then we went to visit our 1st little granddaughter, Ali, and I made a couple pillowcase dress for her. Much to my surprise, I loved picking out fabrics with Rachel, and making the dresses! I returned home and just for the fun of it, and to satisfy Rachel, in April of 2010 I opened AliBeanBaby on Etsy, listed 2 dresses, and to my surprise and excitement they slowly started selling!

Rachel's input on styles and fabrics fashioned AliBeanBaby's brand. We live in different parts of the country, so it has all been long-distance, with a lot of skyping! I continue to rely on her thoughts and ideas regarding design and fabric.

I hope you enjoy what we offer as much as I enjoy making them!!