The PhDetour Story (P-H-Detour)

It was April, 2017, and I was 5.5 years into a Ph.D. program and struggling to find the motivation to finish my dissertation. I was staying home full time taking care of my first child, who was 7 months old at the time. In an attempt to avoid writing, I got a random urge to order a sewing machine. I had never sewn before, but sewing seemed like a better idea than writing, so I went with it. Two days later my sewing machine arrived and thus began my love affair with sewing and fabric.

I worked obsessively over the next year to develop my new skill set, acquired a few (much more sophisticated) machines, and launched "PhDetour," my small handmade business, in the spring of 2018.

I completed my Ph.D. in Community Psychology in June, 2017 and was lucky enough to work as a researcher at a really amazing science museum with some really great people. After my second son was born, I made the difficult decision to leave my position at the museum. Although tough at the time, this change ended up being for the best, as it afforded me the opportunity to pursue a passion of mine and open my own fabric shop focused on natural and organic apparel fabrics.

PhDetour operates just outside of Chicago, IL. A big shoutout to my husband/best friend, whose teamwork makes the dream work, and to my kiddos who provide much of the inspiration for the fabrics brought into the shop.

I am so happy to offer you a thoughtfully curated selection of premium fabrics ♥ Please contact me at ph.detour@gmail.com with any questions and/or comments.

-Ali-