I’m Melissa Mortenson!
Hello, I’m Melissa Mortenson, a “creative mama,” published Author, Content Creator, Licensed Fabric Designer, and the Polka Dot Chair blog founder.
The Polka Dot Chair is a place for Creative Moms and Families to find simple and inspiring DIY projects for their homes, sewing projects, Holiday crafts, and family recipes. Its mission is to make its readers want to create.
Through my work with the Polka Dot Chair, I’ve created several “viral” projects, including DIY Floating Witch Hats, the Original Reading Pillow Pattern, Christmas Mason Jars & many more!
Professional Work
Brand Partnerships
- BERNINA Sewing Machines
- Mettler Thread (2022)
Brand Collaborations
Some of Our Most Popular Posts
Why I Create
Are your kids driving you crazy or your boss? Maybe it’s your spouse. Or, possibly, you wish you had kids or a spouse to drive you crazy. You may be dealing with something difficult in your life. I hope that you are not, but I know that we all go through things that we’d rather not have to.
Creating is a way to deal with everything you’d rather not have to deal with. That’s why this blog exists. It’s full of fun, inspiring projects to distract you from whatever you need to distract yourself from.
I’m pretty passionate about it. When I’ve had a bad day, nothing makes me feel better than losing myself in a project for a little while. I sit and create something and then return to whatever I need to deal with, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle it.
This blog is meant to be fun. I hope you find that it is.
Published Books
In 2014, C&T Publishing published my first book. “Project Teen: 21 Handmade Gifts your Teens will Love”. It was inspired by my children and my desire to continue to sew for them as they grew up. I’m convinced that teenagers love handmade quilts as much as babies do.
I have also contributed projects to the following titles:
- Lunch-Hour Patchwork
- Fresh Fabric Treats
- Sweet Celebrations with the Moda Bake Shop Chefs
You can also find my projects featured in many magazines, including Redbook, Quilts & More, Mary Jane Farm & Homespun.
Licensed Textile Designs
In 2015 I released my first line of quilting quality cotton with Riley Blake Designs. Inspired by my hometown of Louisville, the fabric line is called “Derby Style”.
Since then, I’ve released 12 other fabric lines. I love designing fabric. They are available in quilt shops around the world and online. Just google search “Melissa Mortenson Fabric.”
Blogging & Social Media Work
Do you hate the word? Influencer? So do I, but the “internets” have picked it. I don’t consider myself a typical influencer. I’m not here to show you how fabulous my life is through a series of carefully edited photos. We deal here in REAL.
In 2008 I had a friend who started a blog. It looked like fun, so on a whim one afternoon, I started this blog. I began sharing projects and ideas online and soon found a community of like-minded Makers. As time went on, I dedicated more time to blogging, and over the years, the site has grown into what it is today. Currently, we receive over 4 million visitors a year and have over 110,000 Makers on our newsletter list. Not too shabby for a crazy idea that I had one afternoon.
To see an index of all of the projects on this site just CLICK HERE.
Why is it called the Polka Dot Chair?
This blog is called the Polka Dot Chair because I love polka dots and have a polka dot chair in my studio. Hence the name.
My Background
I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and moved to Louisville, KY, after finishing college. I guess that’s what happens when you marry a Kentucky boy. I’ve lived here ever since and love it.
I have three kids. One daughter is in graduate school out west and twin college students. Between the 3 of them, I have quite a few gray hairs! I miss having small children, but I have loved watching my kids grow up and have come to enjoy spending time with them as teenagers and young adults so much. They are a lot of fun!
(that’s me in the light green)
When I entered college, I put my creative pursuits aside to concentrate on my studies. I discovered I had a great passion for science and pursued a degree in Molecular Biology. I worked in vaccine research for a brief time.
After that, I worked full-time for 5 years as the Director of Operations and IT liaison for a startup insurance company. While at that job, I discovered a love for technology.
After the birth of my kids, I picked up sewing again, this time more voraciously. In 2007, I decided to start this DIY blog. I soon found great enjoyment in designing and sharing projects with others. I think the design aspect of blogging satisfies my inner scientist.
I grew up sewing. My grandmother used to let me play with her scraps of fabric and her old pedal-powered singer. I loved making clothes for my Barbie dolls. When I entered high school, I discovered sewing as a great coping mechanism for the perils of being a teen.
I now have my Grandma’s sewing machine
My love for polka dots started early, me at 4, I’m the one in the polka dot dress.
I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it. If you do please make sure you say “hi” and introduce yourself.
I would love to connect with you! You can find me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Disclosures:
The Polka Dot Chair was founded and is edited by Melissa Mortenson. This blog does accept payments in the form of advertising, sponsorships, and other related paid campaigns or endorsements. Payments accepted are in the form of cash, products, services, and/or trade of advertisement. Payments are accepted as compensation for the efforts of the writing, crafting, photography, supplies, and time of the writer to provide quality content.
The compensation received from another party will not affect the content written at The Polka Dot Chair. If such an advertisement or sponsorship is received, it will be identified as such on the individual article. The content will always be an honest opinion and review. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
Melissa Mortenson, owner of the Polka Dot Chair is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
The owner of this blog would like to disclose the following existing relationships. These are companies, organizations or individuals who are affiliates or where we are contributing to and provide payment in the forms of cash, products, or trade for service: Amazon, Craftsy, Cricut, Reward Style.
Portions of this policy were provided by: disclosurepolicy.org