About Kim Niles
My clothing is best known for its mix of classic design, creative use of color and choice of fabric. Individual orders can be made for traditional heirloom-quality sweaters for children and adults, a unique quilted sweater/jacket and a new line of colorful contemporary sweaters, tunics, and vests.
I was featured in the nationally published Country Decoration Ideas in the fall of 1990. My sweaters, sweater/jackets and quilts have sold in such stores as The American Textile History Museum, Worcester Center for Crafts Museum Store, New England Quilt Museum Store, The Handcrafter’s Barn in No. Conway, NH and various other shows, galleries, gift shops and museum shops in New England and the East Coast.
All
my sweaters are designed and hand-loomed by me; the sweater/jackets are
designed and machine-pieced. Many times the basic idea of the garment
will change as it is made. Each is then finished by hand by me or by one
of my fellow crafters. Then I add the crocheted buttonbands, buttons and
my label.
I have made a conscious choice not to go so big that I can’t keep my hand in the design of each and every sweater.
What you get is a totally unique and specially handcrafted item 
made
for you and for your children that will last for a great many years to
come – an heirloom-quality piece of wearable
art.
When it comes to clothes, I have been a fairly conservative person, preferring the more-traditional patterns, ones that evoke memories of grandparents and “the good old days”. But I like to put a personal twist on them, something that will make them unique and that won’t be seen in a department store or catalog.
I have always been intrigued with color – that first new box of
Crayola
crayons probably started it! And I have always loved working with my hands.
My mother taught me to knit as a young teen, and I spent weekends knitting
wonderful creations that never quite fit.
I taught myself to sew using my paternal grandmother’s Singer “portable” machine. I made my own clothes for years and did alterations and sewed for friends in college to help supplement my allowance, while knitting my way through many a lecture.
After college I worked in a fabric store for three years, sewed window treatments and did alterations on the side. I then worked in a picture frame shop, where color reigned supreme. At this time I also took a couple of quilting classes and became hooked.
Finally, in 1988, I turned my love of quilting and knitting past a hobby
and into a profession, making it possible for me to work at home with
my four-year-old son. 
I have been a resident of Groton since 1990, living in Groton School housing until last summer, when my husband and I moved into our own house in the woods. I have retired from doing any more shows as of December '07 and will retire completely at the end of December '08. I am still taking orders from this website until then. I hope to write a book with my various patterns available in it. Stay tuned! In the meantime, I have lots of yarn available at a good price, if you are interested. This has been a joyful and productive experience for me. I have loved getting to know so many wonderful people and to have brought pleasure to so many women. Many, many thanks!
