About Us

Kathleen “Kate” Ackley

Aunt Ruth put a needle in my hand at the age of 8, and I am still cutting big pieces of fabric into smaller pieces and stitching them together. A degree in clothing and Textile Design led me to a career in costume Design in University and community theaters. I started quilting in the early 1970’s but I enjoyed all the crafts including calligraphy which I taught for ten years. Convinced that I enjoyed teaching more than just calligraphy, I returned to quilting during the middle 1980’s.

I have designed quilts and taught quilting for 25 years and still find the art fascinating. Lecturing and sharing my antique quilts are a great joy for me as well as teaching. I discovered template rubber stamps when accuracy became a top priority and I made the first one just for me. Fellow quilters soon asked to buy — and ByKate was “born.”

Browse the site and ENJOY!

Darnell Mack

I started sewing when I was 9 years old when my mom and dad taught me sew. I’ve always enjoyed sewing and fabrics. I really started quilting in 1998 with the birth of my daughter and then my twin boys. While I am an electrical engineer by career, my passion is quilting and textiles. I met Kathleen in the early 2000’s and the rest is history. I started with the Grandmother’s Flower Garden, Double Wedding Ring and anything else I could put my needle to. In 2016, Kate and I began discussing a partnership. I am overjoyed with the opportunity to continue ByKate with all the existing patterns, quilt shows and more to come over this next year.

We look forward to hearing from you.