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About Jess

Hello!

My name is Jess.  I'm a software engineer by morning, day, and very late at night.  Bag and quilt maker every other second of the day. I'm a proud military brat, Mama to a heard of critters, and wife to the very best friend I could imagine.

What is OklaRoots?

I spent the most pivotal years of my life in the beautiful state of Oklahoma. It was an unexpected place to move when I was 14 years old, and a hard place to leave when I was 33.  I graduated college and graduate school there. I met my husband and we started a family as Okies. It was a place I was truly laying down some roots, which was a big deal for this move-every-4-years girl.  And even though the call of the ocean won out, I still consider my roots to be in Oklahoma.

Currently, I am living in northeast Florida and LOVING the environment. The culture is diverse and immersive, the weather allows 365 days outside fun, and the location is unbeatable. 

Time To Pivot

Shortly after starting OklaRoots on Instagram I started drafting and listing quilt patterns for sale. While I love the quilt patterns I wrote, they weren't speaking to my audience. Failing at sales is one thing, but not having the ability to inspire others with your design is a whole other level of heartbreak.  I'm sure they'll have their season with a large audience, but selling is not my strong suit.  Education, however, is something I have much more experience with. 

So the OklaRoots YouTube channel came to be! Not only do I get to share what I've learned, I also get to share simple patterns of my own design with all of you! And we have the opportunity to explore so many things. Quilts, bags, crafts, DIY..... we cover it all together! 

Lights... Camera...

The OklaRoots YouTube channel is a place where I show how to make some of my favorite things. These may be my own patterns or some from my favorite designers. Note: I do ask permission from the pattern writer to demonstrate their design, and not everyone approves. I'll keep a running list of the folks I can film for below. The channel also includes unboxings, non-sewing tutorials, and everything else that sounds like something we should all enjoy together. 

I Love Letters!

If you would like to send me a letter I would LOVE that! Below is my mailing address: 

Jess OklaRoots

PO Box 2071

Ponte Vedre Beach, FL 32004

Approved Filming Tutorials

Bag Designers:

Swoon

Bagstock Designs

Emmaline Bags 

Sewn Ideas

More Me Know

Kandou Crafts

Spencer Ogg Patterns

Noodlehead

Linds Handmade

Country Cow Designs

Justyna T Handmade 

I Think Sew 

Sallie Tomato

By Annie

Tobi Stylx

Simple Artful Stuff

Needle And Anchor Supply Co

Miss Freckles Designs

Sew Your Patterns

Hold It Right There Patterns

Diamonds and Coal

 

Embroidery Designers

Crashing Waves Embroidery

OHana Applique Embroidery

Rosebarn Embroidery

Sew Inspired By Bonnie

Creations By Connie

Off With Their Threads

Kimberbell

Hooked On Applique



Happy Sewing!

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Recent Posts

  • The Bag Maker’s Companion – An All New Sewing Book!
  • 2025 ByAnnie SewPINK Blog Hop – Making The Zip It Up 2.0
  • 2026 OklaCruise!
  • January 2025 Livestream
  • 2024 ByAnnie #SewPink Breast Cancer Awareness

Instagram

oklaroots

Testing out the fully lined fabric version of the Testing out the fully lined fabric version of the Babi Boxy Crossbody (a pattern originally designed for clear vinyl) is finally a success!

I’ll have a full video tutorial AND written instructions available soon ❤️❤️❤️

#oklarootstuts #handmade #sewing
My masterpiece(s) of 2026! The stunning Andy Backp My masterpiece(s) of 2026! The stunning Andy Backpacks!! 

I’m so stinking proud of these. And I’m still not sure how @uhohcreations was able to write a pattern for this that makes it easy for us to create our own. The math and shapes and intricacies of this, but then the easy way the pattern explains each step. I still don’t know how I ended up sewing this, and I made it TWICE! Pattern magic I tell you!

And sadly, the @bagmakingbeesclub Mega Box which supplied all the materials for each bag is no longer available for order 😭. Be sure to check out all the beautiful nylon materials you can put together to make your own Andy at @wondergroundfabrics 🥰

I feel like a bag warrior after making these 💪💪

#oklarootstuts #bagmakingbeesclub #backpack #sewing #bagmaker
Here’s our second week in the UK in 90 seconds! We Here’s our second week in the UK in 90 seconds! We loved every minute and feel so grateful to have this experience. We are already saving up to go back! 

Most of this week was spent in Edinburgh Scotland ❤️

Here’s a list of our favorite places to visit!
Stayed at the Caledonian
Red Squirrel Pub (so good!)
Edinburgh Castle
The Real Mary Close Tour
Islander Bag Making
Makars Mash
Calton Hill
Mary’s Milk Bar
All the Cadbury

#Travel #scotland #edinburgh
All new OklaRoots pattern! The Passport Pouch is a All new OklaRoots pattern! The Passport Pouch is a quick and easy make that can hold up to four passports 🤩

And I’m working on hacks for those of you who want to make this but not for passports 🫣

Happy Monday!

#oklarootstuts #travel #passport #handmade
Our 7 days in London in 90 seconds! Here is a lis Our 7 days in London in 90 seconds!

Here is a list of most of our London activities:
Flew Virgin Atlantic
Stayed at the Londoner in Leicester Square
China Town
Carnaby Street
Fortnum and Mason
Liberty of London
Tower of London
Borough Market
Feya tea
Natural History Museum
Harrods
High tea the Ritz
Lunch at Sky Garden
Oxford day
St Paul’s Cathedral
Lots of gelato and chocolate
Train to Edinburgh
Two weeks of gabbing to do! Two weeks of gabbing to do!
Comment ZURI and I’ll message you a link to the tu Comment ZURI and I’ll message you a link to the tutorial!

This month’s @bagmakingbeesclub Bee Box is for the ADORABLE Zuri Crossbody from @bagstockdesigns 😍😍

This cutie has some really clever pockets that allow it to remain functional and keep that beautiful design. It’s a great quick-ish sew and would be a fun project to make with family or at a retreat.

Enjoy!

#oklarootstuts #bagmakingbeesclub #bagsewing #bagstockdesigns #crossbody
Comment BAG BOOK and I’ll message you where you ca Comment BAG BOOK and I’ll message you where you can find my book! Coming out April of 2027 😍

Thank you so much @countrymanpress @w.w.norton for allowing me to do this!! It’s the most special moment of my career ❤️

#oklarootstuts #sewingbook #sewing #newbook #handmade
The 2026 Summer Mega Box is here!!! This box is P The 2026 Summer Mega Box is here!!!

This box is PACKED with goodies! Tons of material, hardware and notions, as all as all kinds of extra goodies. 

The featured pattern for this back is the Andy Backpack from @uhohcreations and this is one of my favorite patterns of all time. This bag is great for schools, college, work, travel, slumber parties… you name it! It has the most clever pockets and that come together in the coolest way. It’s a more intermediate make, but I believe a confident beginner would also enjoy it. Just take your time!

I’ve also included my latest Passport Pouch pattern with this box. You should have an email with the coupon code to snag it completely free, AND the templates are included in the box 🥰. 

There are two versions that were available: the bold and the neutral. Both truly live up to their name. The bold is bright and vibrant, with special prints designed by Gabbi at @wondergroundfabrics . The neutral is truly neutral and great for ANYONE. 

My video tutorial for the Passport Pouch will be available on July 20th and the tutorial for the Andy Backpack will be out on July 27th. 

I hope you love this!!

#oklarootstuts #bagmakingbeesclub #uhohcreations #bagpack
Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • The Bag Maker’s Companion – An All New Sewing Book!
  • 2025 ByAnnie SewPINK Blog Hop – Making The Zip It Up 2.0
  • 2026 OklaCruise!
  • January 2025 Livestream
  • 2024 ByAnnie #SewPink Breast Cancer Awareness

Instagram

oklaroots

Testing out the fully lined fabric version of the Testing out the fully lined fabric version of the Babi Boxy Crossbody (a pattern originally designed for clear vinyl) is finally a success!

I’ll have a full video tutorial AND written instructions available soon ❤️❤️❤️

#oklarootstuts #handmade #sewing
My masterpiece(s) of 2026! The stunning Andy Backp My masterpiece(s) of 2026! The stunning Andy Backpacks!! 

I’m so stinking proud of these. And I’m still not sure how @uhohcreations was able to write a pattern for this that makes it easy for us to create our own. The math and shapes and intricacies of this, but then the easy way the pattern explains each step. I still don’t know how I ended up sewing this, and I made it TWICE! Pattern magic I tell you!

And sadly, the @bagmakingbeesclub Mega Box which supplied all the materials for each bag is no longer available for order 😭. Be sure to check out all the beautiful nylon materials you can put together to make your own Andy at @wondergroundfabrics 🥰

I feel like a bag warrior after making these 💪💪

#oklarootstuts #bagmakingbeesclub #backpack #sewing #bagmaker
Here’s our second week in the UK in 90 seconds! We Here’s our second week in the UK in 90 seconds! We loved every minute and feel so grateful to have this experience. We are already saving up to go back! 

Most of this week was spent in Edinburgh Scotland ❤️

Here’s a list of our favorite places to visit!
Stayed at the Caledonian
Red Squirrel Pub (so good!)
Edinburgh Castle
The Real Mary Close Tour
Islander Bag Making
Makars Mash
Calton Hill
Mary’s Milk Bar
All the Cadbury

#Travel #scotland #edinburgh
All new OklaRoots pattern! The Passport Pouch is a All new OklaRoots pattern! The Passport Pouch is a quick and easy make that can hold up to four passports 🤩

And I’m working on hacks for those of you who want to make this but not for passports 🫣

Happy Monday!

#oklarootstuts #travel #passport #handmade
Our 7 days in London in 90 seconds! Here is a lis Our 7 days in London in 90 seconds!

Here is a list of most of our London activities:
Flew Virgin Atlantic
Stayed at the Londoner in Leicester Square
China Town
Carnaby Street
Fortnum and Mason
Liberty of London
Tower of London
Borough Market
Feya tea
Natural History Museum
Harrods
High tea the Ritz
Lunch at Sky Garden
Oxford day
St Paul’s Cathedral
Lots of gelato and chocolate
Train to Edinburgh
Two weeks of gabbing to do! Two weeks of gabbing to do!
Comment ZURI and I’ll message you a link to the tu Comment ZURI and I’ll message you a link to the tutorial!

This month’s @bagmakingbeesclub Bee Box is for the ADORABLE Zuri Crossbody from @bagstockdesigns 😍😍

This cutie has some really clever pockets that allow it to remain functional and keep that beautiful design. It’s a great quick-ish sew and would be a fun project to make with family or at a retreat.

Enjoy!

#oklarootstuts #bagmakingbeesclub #bagsewing #bagstockdesigns #crossbody
Comment BAG BOOK and I’ll message you where you ca Comment BAG BOOK and I’ll message you where you can find my book! Coming out April of 2027 😍

Thank you so much @countrymanpress @w.w.norton for allowing me to do this!! It’s the most special moment of my career ❤️

#oklarootstuts #sewingbook #sewing #newbook #handmade
The 2026 Summer Mega Box is here!!! This box is P The 2026 Summer Mega Box is here!!!

This box is PACKED with goodies! Tons of material, hardware and notions, as all as all kinds of extra goodies. 

The featured pattern for this back is the Andy Backpack from @uhohcreations and this is one of my favorite patterns of all time. This bag is great for schools, college, work, travel, slumber parties… you name it! It has the most clever pockets and that come together in the coolest way. It’s a more intermediate make, but I believe a confident beginner would also enjoy it. Just take your time!

I’ve also included my latest Passport Pouch pattern with this box. You should have an email with the coupon code to snag it completely free, AND the templates are included in the box 🥰. 

There are two versions that were available: the bold and the neutral. Both truly live up to their name. The bold is bright and vibrant, with special prints designed by Gabbi at @wondergroundfabrics . The neutral is truly neutral and great for ANYONE. 

My video tutorial for the Passport Pouch will be available on July 20th and the tutorial for the Andy Backpack will be out on July 27th. 

I hope you love this!!

#oklarootstuts #bagmakingbeesclub #uhohcreations #bagpack
Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • The Bag Maker’s Companion – An All New Sewing Book!
  • 2025 ByAnnie SewPINK Blog Hop – Making The Zip It Up 2.0
  • 2026 OklaCruise!
  • January 2025 Livestream
  • 2024 ByAnnie #SewPink Breast Cancer Awareness

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