About Dotty & Grace — and the maker behind it!

I’m Janelle — creator, designer, quilter, maker, and the hands behind Dotty & Grace. This little studio of mine is where colour, texture, and imagination come together to create pieces that feel warm, joyful, and deeply personal.

Originally from Sydney, I’m an Australian living in Dubai for more than 13 years now, even though it began as a one‑year adventure. Before that, life took me through Sydney, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Melbourne. Those moves shaped how I see the world: full of stories, cultures, and small details worth noticing — the same things that inspire my quilting.

My quilting journey started in 2009 after a trip to Japan, when I returned with a suitcase full of beautiful fabrics and absolutely no plan. My first quilt was a rag quilt stitched with enthusiasm, curiosity, and zero experience. It wasn’t perfect, but it was joyful — and that joy is what stayed with me. You can read the whole story on my blog

Years later, during a hot Dubai summer, I rediscovered a forgotten box of fabrics. A bit of Googling turned into hours at the sewing machine, and I realised something important: quilting wasn’t just a pastime. It was a way to slow down, create beauty with intention, and reconnect with myself in a fast-moving world.

That’s why Dotty & Grace matters to me — and why I hope it matters to you. Every quilt, every handmade piece, carries a story. It’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. It just needs to be made with heart.

When I’m not quilting, I’m usually cooking, exploring new places with my husband, or sharing our travels on Instagram at @voyageurj.

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Dotty and Grace Quilts and Handmade Gifts License #891111