Katrina Kelley learned to sew at the early age of 4. Nearly 40 years later, she’s turned her creative practice into a thriving business designing and stitching home goods—including napkins, tablecloths, towels, aprons, and more—with long-lasting fibers in simple, earthy colors. Linens from Amphitrite Studio, named after the Greek goddess of the sea, have been featured in Remodelista in Maine (Artisan Books, 2022) and can be found at the famed restaurant the Lost Kitchen. In her interview with MH+D Inside Out, Kelley reveals the fuel behind her passion, why linen is best, and how nature inspires her classic designs. 

Q. How would you describe your aesthetic?

A. My design structure is made of strong, clean, classic lines with a soft touch of natural beauty. Heirloom linens that are versatile and functional for every kind of home. My colors and fibers are all derived from nature and are part of the earth tone family, from soft roses to deep irons, imbibing my “brand” with a love of nature and harmony in the creations. 

Q. What led you to launch your own studio?

A. I came to a point in life where I was ready to chase my own dreams of being self-employed and doing something I love. In my 20s, I wasn’t ready for that kind of decision. Plainly put, I didn’t want to work for other people pursuing their dreams anymore. I was ready to turn a lifelong hobby into a business of my own. 

Q. How has your business and craft evolved over time?

A. I’ve always known this would be a sewing studio. When I began this endeavor, I started out by making women’s clothing using natural fibers. It took a couple of years of clothing to realize I was more of a homebody than a fashion designer, so I shifted my focus to creating quality natural fiber items for the home. 

Q. Tell us about your design and stitching process.

A. Sometimes I think of an item and try to find a fabric to match that idea, but most times it starts with finding a fabric I love. When I hold it in my hands and close my eyes, I can see just what it wants to become. I start with a prototype, usually rough but made with actual fabric. I never use patterns, just my own designs and dimensions. All of my stitching is done in small batches of 5-15 per color at a time. I have cutting days where all I do is cut in-house fabric into inventory. Serging days are spent on my overlock machine straightening and hemming edges. Stitching days turn all those hemmed edges into stronger final hems with tags. 

Q. What’s your favorite textile to work with and why?

A. Linen, hands down. My childhood was rooted in a love of fine French linens and sewing, but it took 30 years before I put the two together to create my business. Linen is a classic staple and it has so many natural properties that I love—I rarely ever work with other fabrics. I find it easy to design with and the finished product is always lovely to the touch. 

Q. What draws you to working with foodies and restaurants in particular?

A. My late brother was my familial soulmate and a master chef. We grew up with our best memories in kitchens. He not only knew the right ingredients to use in a meal but cooked with his heart and soul, too. He followed his passions and loved fiercely. When he passed away, I felt the urge to carry on with his torch and passion as my fuel. I do what I love, and it’s no coincidence that I put my love into making something that will build similar cooking memories with my customers and their loved ones. 

Q. How do you describe your relationship with Maine, and how does it affect your work?

A. As a child of the Catskill Mountains in NY, every summer in Maine was perfection. I’ve never felt more at home in a state than I do in Maine. My love for this state is bottomless. Maine holds such a strong culture for the crafts, a dedication to hard work, and is full of such wonderful communities. Nature is all around us and in our lives, which feeds my soul and makes me want to work harder for my craft. 

Q. Your studio is committed to creating and using items that are “good for you and the earth.” Why is sustainability important to you? 

A. I am a follower of nature. I’m far from perfect because I am human, but I strive to have the smallest footprint possible while I get the honor of walking this beautiful earth. I respect Mother Nature and all she offers. The natural and beneficial properties of the flax plant are some of the most extensive among fabrics. It is not treated with formaldehyde and harsh chemicals when it is being produced, and because of that process, all of these properties like thermoregulation, anti-fungal, and odor control stick around in the fabric that it becomes. 

Check Katrina’s heirloom linens at amphitritestudio.com.