OUR STORY

Briar Hill Designs is a collaboration between Caverly's fine art skills and Julia's expertise in textiles and design.

Caverly had a dream of designing beautiful fabric(s). She looked to her sister-in-law, Julia, for pattern design experience and knowledge of the sewing scene. After months of dreaming, designing, painting and planning, Briar Hill Designs was born. Briar Hill is a whimsical place, inspired by the yellow-brick hilltop cottage of Caverly’s grandmother. There, the lush gardens are surrounded by white picket fences, warm sunshine and birdsong; the perfect place for afternoon tea. Briar Hill (Designs) creates its collections, patterns and artwork with the hope of transporting the viewer to a simpler time not so long ago, abundant in etiquette, beauty and nature’s blessings. The inspiration for all artwork and design has come from Briar Hill, a
paradise of the past.


Caverly Smith

Since obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Illustration from Sheridan College in Ontario, Caverly Smith has worked in various areas, from producing mock-ups for a fast-paced advertising firm, to a laid-back arts-and-crafts booth at a Farmer’s Market, to teaching and taking on commissioned work as a freelance artist. While living in Nova Scotia with her family, Caverly’s work was inspired by her maritime surroundings. During that time she captured the seascapes with her mastery of oil painting with palette knife techniques, though her true love is a watercolour, line-and-wash, whimsical style of art and illustration, which she considers to be her specialty. Caverly’s family life has brought her back to her native Ontario, where the inspiration behind Briar Hill began. She has a supportive husband and three small children that influence her storybook style.


Julia Wentzell

A lifelong sewing enthusiast, Julia’s design career started with a Diploma in Costume Studies from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There she honed her skills as she learned pattern making, constructed fashion apparel, made tailored suits and used historical techniques to produce 18th century apparel. Julia's skills expanded seamlessly into custom wedding gowns and clothing for her children. After trying her hand at quilt making, Julia was hooked, and was soon sewing quilts of her own design and style, creating a fresh take on traditional patchwork. Having 25 years of sewing experience, Julia's
energy for teaching new skills shows in her pattern writing style, and in her range of patterns for every level of quilter. As a wife and mother of four, Julia has lots to inspire her work in the wonderful world of quilting.