06/11/2026
Sometimes a second chapter leads to something beautiful.
Upcycle CHQ Maker Spotlight today is on Sue Davis-Gillis of Nutmeg Hollow.
Meet Sue Davis-Gillis of Dewittville, one of the makers in the UpcycleCHQ Maker Program and the creator behind Nutmeg Hollow, a small business that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and a love for giving materials a second life.
After taking early retirement, Sue decided to build something meaningful from the treasures she discovered at estate sales, thrift stores, and yard sales. Today, she creates embroidery kits and projects designed to help others discover the joy, beauty, and calmness of needle arts.
What makes her work special is that many of the materials already had a life before they found their way into her hands.
- Wool jackets and skirts become appliqués
- Vintage wool clothing is carefully repurposed
- Buttons, zippers, and embellishments are rescued and reused
- Approximately 70% of her creations are made from thoughtfully repurposed materials
Sue is also an experienced sewist who has spent years sewing clothing and quilts. Her love of embroidery and appliqué shines through every project she creates.
One of the things we love most about Sue's work is that no two pieces are exactly alike. Because she works with materials she finds and rescues, each project reflects the unique story of those materials and the creativity required to transform them into something new.
Through Nutmeg Hollow, Sue isn't just making products—she's helping keep traditional skills alive and inspiring others to pick up a needle, create something with their hands, and see the potential in materials that might otherwise be overlooked.
Thank you, Sue, for being part of the Upcycle CHQ Maker Program and for showing how creativity, craftsmanship, and reuse can come together in such a meaningful way.
Have you ever learned embroidery, sewing, quilting, or another needle art from a family member or friend? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Sue DG
