More than miles: The story behind Swaye Stitches
By Lily McDonald | Contributor
The steady hum of a sewing machine fills the room as colorful pieces of fabric slide beneath the needle. Between cross-country practices, track meets and college assignments, Augusta University student-athlete Swaye Mohler has found time to build something entirely on her own: a small business called Swaye Stitches.
While most student-athletes spend their free time recovering from practice or catching up on homework, Mohler spends hers creating tote bags, book sleeves, quilts and custom designs. Her side hobby, which began as a childhood activity, has grown into a small business that reflects both her creativity and discipline.
“I fell in love with sewing when I was really young,” Mohler said. “My grandmother taught me how to sew, and I just kept practicing until it became something I truly enjoyed.”
Mohler, a member of the Jaguar cross-country and track-and-field teams, balances early morning practices, traveling to meets and academic responsibilities while continuing to design new handmade products. Although running takes priority, sewing has become an important outlet that allows her to express creativity outside of athletics.
A hobby turns into a passion
Mohler’s interest in sewing began at home, sitting beside her grandmother and learning the basics of threading a needle and stitching fabric together. What started as simple practice projects quickly turned into something more meaningful.
At first, she created small items for family members. Over time, her skills improved, and she began experimenting with new patterns, colors, and materials. Soon, she was making items that were not only functional but also stylish.
“My grandmother really inspired me to keep going,” Mohler said. “She showed me how to be patient and take pride in what I make.”
That patience became the foundation for what would later turn into Swaye Stitches, a small brand that now includes tote bags, book sleeves, laptop sleeves and quilts. Each piece is made individually, allowing customers to request personalized colors, fabrics or designs.
Unlike factory-made products, Mohler’s items are carefully stitched using her sewing machine. The process can take hours depending on the size and complexity of the project.
Many of Mohler’s tote bags feature patterned fabrics and reinforced stitching designed to handle daily use. Some include interior pockets or custom color combinations based on customer requests.
Balancing sports and sewing
In addition to athletics and sewing, Mohler also manages a full academic schedule at Augusta University. Mohler is majoring in kinesiology, a field that focuses on human movement and prepares her for a future career in athletic training. She balances coursework alongside daily practices and business responsibilities. Staying organized has become an essential skill, allowing her to keep up with assignments while continuing to grow her small business.
A handmade tote bag from Swaye Stitches. (photo courtesy of Swaye Mohler)
Being a student-athlete means Mohler’s schedule is often packed. Between workouts, classes, and competitions, free time can be hard to find. Still, she finds moments during the evenings or weekends to work on her projects.
“It definitely takes time management,” Mohler said. “Running comes first because I’m a student-athlete, but sewing helps me relax when I’m stressed.”
For Mohler, sewing is more than just a hobby; it is a form of stress relief. After long practices or demanding academic days, working on fabric designs allows her to focus on something creative rather than competitive.
Teammates have also taken notice of Mohler’s talent. Some have purchased her handmade items or shared her work with friends and family. Support from those around her has helped build confidence in her skills and encouraged her to continue growing her business.
Life as a student-athlete
During the cross-country and track seasons, Mohler’s schedule is packed from early morning to late evening. Practices often begin early in the day, followed by classes and study time.
After returning from workouts, she sometimes spends her evenings working on sewing projects. Balancing athletics, academics, and her small business requires careful planning and discipline. Despite the busy schedule, she continues to make time for both running and sewing.
One of her supporters is teammate Gabby Jourdain, who purchased one of Mohler’s tote bags and now uses it regularly.
“I use my bag all the time,” Jourdain said. “It’s really helpful whether I’m carrying school stuff or packing when I travel home. I love that it’s handmade and feels personal.”
Jourdain said the quality of the bag stood out to her right away. Unlike store-bought bags, she noticed the attention to detail and durability that came from Mohler’s careful work.
“You can tell she puts time into what she makes,” Jourdain said. “It’s not just something thrown together, but something made with care.”
Having customers within her own team has helped Mohler gain confidence in her work and continue improving her designs. Support from teammates like Jourdain reminds her that her creativity can have a real impact beyond the track.
Support beyond the track
Longtime friend Hannah Hogan has known Mohler for years and has watched her dedication to sewing grow alongside her responsibilities as a student-athlete. Unlike many customers who discovered Swaye Stitches recently, Hogan remembers when sewing was already an important part of Mohler’s life.
“I’ve known Swaye for a long time, and I’ve always admired how skilled she is at sewing and how she balances everything she has going on,” Hogan said.
Hogan said Mohler’s dedication to both school and her business stands out. Managing classes, practices and custom orders requires strong time management, something Hogan believes Mohler handles well.
“She is very dedicated to Swaye Stitches and puts a lot of time into making sure her work is done well,” Hogan said.
Hogan also noted that one of Mohler’s biggest motivations is seeing customers enjoy her creations.
“She likes to make people happy, and seeing customers enjoy what she creates is rewarding for her,” Hogan said.
Support from longtime friends like Hogan shows that Mohler’s commitment to sewing extends beyond athletics, reflecting a passion that has continued to grow over time.
Building the brand: Swaye Stitches
Handmade computer case holder bags display the variety of fabrics and patterns Mohler uses when designing protective sleeves for electronics. (photo courtesy of Swaye Mohler)
The name Swaye Stitches represents more than just handmade products; it represents Mohler’s identity as both an athlete and creator. As her projects improved, she began sharing photos of her designs and accepting custom requests.
Customers can request specific fabrics, sizes, or patterns, making each item unique. Popular items include tote bags for everyday use and protective sleeves designed for books or laptops.
Currently, Mohler is working on new bag designs that expand her product options. She continues experimenting with shapes, colors, and stitching techniques to improve her craft.
“I like being able to create something that people can actually use,” Mohler said. “It makes me happy when someone enjoys what I made.”
Running a small business, even informally, requires responsibility. Mohler manages orders, organizes materials, and keeps track of projects while maintaining her academic and athletic commitments.
Behind the seams: A custom order process
One of the most time-consuming parts of Mohler’s business is completing custom orders. Each project begins with selecting fabrics based on the customer’s request. After choosing the materials, she measures and cuts the fabric into carefully planned pieces.
The sewing process can take several hours, especially when adding reinforced stitching or interior pockets. Once the bag is assembled, Mohler checks every seam to make sure it is strong enough for daily use.
For example, one recent custom order involved creating a tote bag designed for carrying textbooks. The customer requested reinforced stitching and an interior pocket to hold smaller items. Projects like this often require careful planning to ensure the final product meets the customer’s needs.
“I like making custom orders because every project is different,” Mohler said. “It takes patience, but I enjoy seeing the final product come together.”
Looking toward the future
Although Mohler identifies first as a student-athlete, her passion for sewing continues to grow. She hopes to keep expanding her designs and possibly grow Swaye Stitches into a larger business in the future.
As Mohler prepares to graduate from Augusta University in spring 2026, she plans to continue her education by attending graduate school at the University of South Carolina in its athletic training program. While academics in kinesiology and athletic training remain her priority, she hopes graduate school will also give her time to continue developing her sewing skills and expanding Swaye Stitches.
For now, her focus remains on balancing school, athletics, and creativity. Each completed item represents hours of effort and dedication, not just to sewing but to the journey that began years ago with her grandmother.
What started as a childhood hobby has evolved into something much more meaningful. Through determination and creativity, Mohler has turned fabric and thread into a growing brand that reflects her personality and passion.
As the sewing machine hums and another design takes shape, Mohler continues building her business one stitch at a time, proving that even the busiest student-athletes can build something meaningful through dedication and creativity.
If you want to purchase from Swaye Stitches, contact Mohler by messaging her on Instagram. Her account name is swayemarie.
Note: At the top of the page, Swaye Mohler competes in the Peach Belt Conference Championships in Milledgeville last October. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
Contact Lily McDonald at LILMCDONALD@augusta.edu.
