When I returned to Las Vegas the next year for NFR, I was wearing an elk hide jacket that I had designed and sewn. It was one of a kind, and I knew I wasn’t going to see it on another cowgirl! That started me down the path of creating bespoke leather jackets and other leather items for my customers that share a desire for unique garments. I am no longer on the Roundup Board, as I fill my days with custom sewing for clients and family.

I am always working to improve my skills. I have taken classes on chap making, leather inlay/overlay, and garment fitting classes from experts in the trade.

Lately, I've realized how important it is to pass along my sewing skills. The world has changed a lot since 1970 with the loss of Home Ec classes and the rise of fast fashion. I have students from all over the world attend when I teach at the leather shows, because being a maker is always in fashion!

Take a look at my Gallery pages to see examples of my work and feel free to contact me with your inquiry.

I grew up in Lewiston, Idaho and began working with fabric at a young age. My mom taught me how to use her Singer sewing machine, and my Barbie dolls and Skipper were the first to model my creations. I was in Campfire Girls and 4-H.

I took Home Economics in 7th grade and was very proud of the apron I made in class. It was 1970, so I quickly progressed on to bell bottom pants and gauze hippie shirts. I made a deal with my mom: She would buy everything I needed for a garment (pattern, fabric, thread, zippers, etc.), with no restrictions, but I had to finish one project completely before I could start another. Since her idea of “back-to-school” shopping was $100 credit from the Sears catalogue, I kicked my sewing into high gear! I made most of my own clothes from that point on.

When I was in high school, I wanted a ski outfit. My parents took me to the Exchange at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, WA, but I was too cool for the pea green jacket selection. So I found a Burda pattern (in German and with no seam allowances) and decided to make an outfit: insulated jacket, full side-zip REVERSABLE pants, and a vest. Navy blue and white checkered nylon with navy blue panel inserts. It was a thing to behold on the ski slopes of Northern Idaho!

In college, I studied Fashion Merchandising at Boise State University. Later, I found myself in Portland, OR and working in a ski shop. I made some custom ski clothing for customers and decided that was fun work.

I moved on to Seattle and started a business doing skiwear alterations for various ski shops around the area for 9 years.

Julie Runsvold Pierce

Life in Seattle settled into marriage (I made my wedding dress and those for the bridal party), kids (I made my maternity outfits, while both kids grew up in Polar Fleece and custom Halloween costumes), and outdoor gear of every kind for the skiing, kayaking, biking, and boating activities we enjoyed in and around Seattle.

In 2005, we moved back to Idaho. I volunteered for the Lewiston Roundup Association and was soon elected as one of 22 Directors. That took my love of horseback riding and combined it with the sport of rodeo and introduced me to the world of Rodeo Royalty. In 2008, I took my first trip to the Nation Finals Rodeo, in Las Vegas, NV. I assembled the perfect cowgirl costume, including a fantastically fringy leather jacket that I had just purchased and made my way into the Thomas & Mack Center for a night of rodeo action. Much to my dismay, there was MY jacket on another cowgirl! I should have known better, because THAT’S WHY I SEW!

I always want something different from the crowd.

My girlfriend, Nelda, and I entered the Lewis-Clark Empire Science Fair when we were in 8th grade. Our project was titled “How do Different Materials React to Different Tests?” We had samples of natural and synthetic fabrics that we burned, dyed, washed in hot water, and attacked with sulfuric acid (thanks, Dad!), among other things. We won the Grand Group Award, $25, and got an “A” Mr. Gillespie’s science class. Woo hoo!