Made by Harls:
Stitching Heart, Heritage, and Humour into the Community
INTERVIEW BY Tiffany Chapman
When Harls launched Made by Harls in May 2024, it wasn’t the start of her sewing journey, it was the moment she turned a lifelong skill into something bigger. Having learned to sew from her mother, a seamstress known for her perfectionism, Harls grew up with fabric, thread, and creativity woven into daily life. What began as a way to make matching saddle pads for team drafts has since evolved into a thriving small business rooted in craftsmanship, community, and heart.
Being raised by a seamstress mother and a farmer-builder father who could “make anything from anything,” Harls grew up in a world where craftsmanship was second nature. “Mum wouldn’t let anything leave her hands unless it was perfect,” she recalls. “And Dad believed that if you needed something, you could figure out how to make it.” That same blend of precision and practicality now runs through every product that carries the Made by Harls name.
Those early lessons shine through in every product. Each saddle pad or custom order isn’t just functional; it’s personal. “Every piece has a story,” she explains. “I want my customers to feel like there’s a little bit of me stitched into it, because there is.”
That personal touch has resonated strongly within the drafting community. Riders not only value Harls’s commitment to quality but also see her work as inspiring others to pick up their own creative pursuits or support fellow makers. “It’s the best feeling when someone tells me my work encouraged them to have a go themselves or to cheer on other small businesses,” she says.
A significant part of her story is tied to her late father, who gifted her first industrial sewing machine shortly before he passed away. “He believed in me before I even believed in myself,” Harls reflects. “Every time I sit at that machine, I feel like I’m honouring him.”
Of course, Harls isn’t without a sense of humour about her journey. She laughs as she recalls one of her early campdrafting experiences: “I thought I’d nailed my run and publicly celebrated… until I realised I’d gone through the wrong gate and scored nothing!” It’s this mix of humility and warmth that makes her not just a talented maker, but a genuine part of the community she serves.Now, just over a year on, Made by Harls continues to grow steadily. “I want to keep refining my craft, making products people love, and giving back to the sport that’s given me so much,” she says. With her roots firmly in heritage and her eyes on the future, Harls is stitching together more than saddle pads; she’s weaving connection, creativity, and care into every corner of the campdrafting world.
📍 Follow Made by Harls on social media to see her latest creations and custom work for the drafting community. 📍