Melissa was always a DIY girl. She grew up with a mom who always made homemade play dough and birthday cakes, and sewed her dance costumes. So Melissa started sewing at a very young age. In the spring of 2010 she was 5 months pregnant with a little girl. At a routine doctor's visit, she was suddenly given the devastating news that without surgical intervention she would give birth to her daughter within 24 hours and she would not survive. Melissa was rushed into emergency surgery to try to save her, and spent the remainder of her pregnancy in the hospital on strict bedrest. The days were incredibly LONG, and since she couldn't even sit up, she just had to do something with her hands! She started with a vision to crochet this tiny baby girl a blanket. And thus began and spurred her desire to sew. For two weeks she was hospitalized until doctors couldn't stop the labor any longer. Their very tiny, but oh-so-perfect, baby girl was born. With lungs not yet developed enough to survive on her own, the Lord took her straight to Heaven. Though heart-wrenching and devastating, we truly believe that out of this great tragedy has come our greatest victory. Her love for sewing and all things knit continued to grow. In late fall of 2011, she made her 1st pair of lacey leg warmers. Everywhere she went, people would stop and ask her where she got them. She put them for sale online and within days she was overwhelmed with orders she couldn't possibly fulfill herself! Today, Grace and Lace has become a full-blown women’s apparel company with trademarked designs, a full studio and warehouse, and friends and family as staff. A portion of every sale goes toward building orphanages in India! It has been an exciting journey and we are beyond grateful for the many doors that have opened for us over the years. We are also incredibly grateful to have the most amazing mentors and team members, and loyal customers who keep coming back for more. We are humbled, grateful, and blessed!