Carmilias

Meet Artist Janelle Burris

Janelle Burris is a Seattle-based sewist, quilter, textile artist and the maker behind Little Lantern Handmade. Creativity has been a constant throughout her life. Raised by a children's book illustrator and author in Southern California, she grew up surrounded by art and spent much of her childhood drawing, painting, singing, performing, and exploring a variety of creative pursuits. She has always been drawn to handicrafts and the beauty of handmade objects. Although she never formally learned to sew from them, Janelle was deeply influenced by both of her grandmothers, Harriet and Lily. Harriet was an accomplished quilter, and Lily was a professional seamstress and garment maker. Their work and legacy instilled in her a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, and the pieces they made for her remain among her most treasured possessions. In early 2025, Janelle bought a sewing machine, took a few classes, and quickly fell in love with the process of sewing. She launched Little Lantern Handmade just a few months later, focusing on one-of-a-kind clothing, bags, pouches, accessories, and home goods all made from vintage fabrics, rescued quilts, and secondhand textiles. Her work is inspired by 60s & 70s vintage design, saturated color, thoughtfully paired patterns, and the belief that well-loved materials deserve a second life. Through careful construction and a commitment to reuse, she transforms forgotten textiles into pieces that are both functional and enduring. Drawing from a love of color, nostalgia, and thoughtfully curated textiles, she creates pieces that celebrate the character and history of the materials themselves. When she isn't sewing, Janelle teaches elementary music in Seattle, performs as a pianist and choral singer, and continues to pursue creative projects across a variety of artistic disciplines.