Spotlight on Kemily Kneeland
In a world where innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand and creativity and artistry can blend in sailmaking UK Sailmakers Door County (John McMahon’s Scandia Canvas Works in Wisconsin) is proud to support projects that combine creativity and environmental consciousness. A shining example of this commitment is McMahon’s hiring of Kemily Kneeland, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whose passion for sewing and design has evolved into a mission for sustainability. As an avid sailor, Kemily’s deep connection to the Great Lakes and oceans fuels her desire to protect the environment. Through her internship at UK Sailmakers Door County—part of the UK Sailmakers Chicago network—she has honed her craft and created new products while repurposing sailmaking materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Kemily created many custom bags from recycled sail material during her internship at UK Sailmakers Door County.
Kemily’s journey into the world of textile and fashion design began at the age of 14–sailmaking came much later. She asked her grandmother to teach her to sew a plaid skirt. That moment sparked a love for sewing that has only grown stronger over time. Whether she’s transforming a mother’s wedding dress into a cherished robe for her daughter’s special day or crafting a custom sweatshirt for her brother, Kemily’s design creativity and application of materials shine through in every project. She literally breathes new life into old materials which become a defining characteristic of her work. All this is reflected both her design skills and her commitment to sustainability.
Kemily’s previous upcycling ideas includes a redesign of a mother’s wedding dress for her daughter’s wedding day getting-ready robe, a sustainable and sentimental project.
Her school and sailing path led her to UK Sailmakers Door County in 2023, where she found the perfect environment to channel her creativity into practical, sustainable designs. As the “bag girl” at the loft, Kemily spent her days upcycling old sails and Sunbrella fabric into stylish tote bags for customers. This hands-on experience showed her how even the smallest offcuts could be saved and later transformed into something new and functional. Working closely with these repurposed materials has inspired her to continue integrating eco-friendly practices into her future design work.
The local, family-owned atmosphere of UK Sailmakers Door County was the ideal environment for Kemily allowing her the freedom to experiment and grow as a designer. Whether creating custom sail bags or doing a canvas repair, her supervisors encouraged her to let her creativity and fashion design flare lead the way. One of her favorite projects involved crafting an 11-by-9-foot flag for a marina. While this may sound like a simple project, such a large-scale endeavor pushed her to carefully plan and execute each detail with precision. The diverse and challenging assignments she was given during her internship expanded her skills and boosted her confidence as a designer.
One of Kemily’s unique projects came as a personal challenge from John McMahon. McMahon encouraged Kemily to think outside the box and tasked her with creating a custom outfit–a dress–from old sailcloth. Rising to the challenge, she designed and crafted a two-piece dress that incorporated used sail grommets, old headsail clips, and a striking mix of white and red sailcloth. The resulting garment was bold by anyone’s standard and captured the essence of sustainable, functional design.
Kemily Kneeland (left) and her final project, a dress made from recycled sails and hardware.
As Kemily looks toward the future, she remains determined to incorporate recycled materials into her design projects. She’s passionate about raising awareness of the environmental impacts of fast fashion and continually seeks new ways to repurpose textiles. The lessons she learned at UK Sailmakers Door County—especially the importance of making the most of every scrap of material—will remain with her throughout her career. Whether she’s creating a tote bag from offcuts or designing a dress from repurposed materials, Kemily is committed to reducing waste and promoting sustainability through her work.
UK Sailmakers is proud to support emerging talents like Kemily. She brought to us fresh ideas and a strong commitment to sustainability. In turn, UK gave her the foundation from which to launch her sustainable design career. Our local lofts, as did UK Sailmakers Door County, provide the perfect platform for creative minds to flourish while contributing to a more sustainable future for sailing. As Kemily continues her journey in design, UK Sailmakers is excited to see how her passion for sustainability and creativity will inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
Kemily is actively pursuing new ideas for projects, internships, and career opportunities. She can be reached at KemilyKneelandFashion@gmail.com.
