Meet Carla Robertson and Arthur Porter | Co- Founder, Dallas Designing Dreams

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carla Robertson and Arthur Porter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Arthur Porter and Carla Robertson, met in 1999 under a divine circumstance. Carla was at church when she heard her pastor say “ you should pass what you know to the next generation”. She realized she would have to teach sewing and started having classes. Meanwhile Arthur was trying to teach himself to sew when his wife saw a flyer at a fabric store for Carla’s classes. For 6 weeks Arthur worked on a red wool suit for his wife under Carla’s tutelage.

 After the class they lost touch until 2006, when Carla’s mom saw a newspaper article about a man who was teaching kids about leather. Carla knew it had to be Arthur because that was his ultimate sewing dream – to sew leather and teach others.

Carla called Arthur to congratulate him and that’s when he told her about Dallas Designing Dreams and what he had just started in a Studio at the South Side on Lamar. They reconnected and for the last 16 years have worked together to help others bring their dreams to life.

Each of them comes with a wide background of experiences that bring life changing knowledge to their students and fellow entrepreneurs.

Carla was taught by her mom to sew when she was 6 and that training expanded to her going to El Centro and Texas Woman’s university to receive and AA and BS in Fashion Design respectively.  Not only has Carla used her skills to create her own business, C. Adele Creations, for custom dressmaking and teaching sewing classes but also as a short-term missionary to Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Haiti and Papua New Guinea. She believes it was that spark from passing on her skills to the next generation that has open many doors here and abroad. 

Arthur, a two-time State Fair Blue-ribbon winner for his leather designs, has been interested in sewing since he was 16 but did not pursue it until he felt the call to leave his career in AV/photography in 2005.  After his class with Carla he taught himself to sew and create leather accessories such and belts, handbags and chaps.  It was when he was member of a fashion design organization that he found out about a unique opportunity to have a studio in SSOL (formerly the Sears building) Arthur had a vision about a large umbrella that had lots of businesses that were under it and Dallas Designing Dreams was born.

When Arthur and Carla connected again in 2006 he offered for her to be a part of something that would become life changing for both of them.  For 17 years they have made it clear to all who enter that they are in a safe space for creativity, a place of peace where God’s spirit rest and a place where every person has an opportunity to get started if they are willing to put in the work.  One of their life time students, Marva Hanks calls it “a place where healing take place.”  

One of their most memorable students is Whitney Mitchell. She was passing by the window wanting to come in but thinking she was not capable. Whitney had suffered a quadruple amputation of her limbs at 19 years old and was in therapy to learn to walk again with prosthetics. At that time, she was still in a wheel chair. A table was placed in the hallway and Arthur began teaching her how to use a sewing machine. After she became comfortable with the machine Carla began teaching her about garment making as it was her dream to design clothes. Over 2 years Whitney had to opportunity to bring several of her designs to life. Whenever Arthur or Carla hear someone say they can’t do something, they show them Whitney’s video. When you see someone without arms or legs sewing excuses have to be let go.

Their current services/programs include classes – making leather accessories, sewing with fabric, Prep for Drone License, Embroidery Digitizing, Final Cut Video Editing, Airbnb Experience Host – Digital T-Shirt Design, Sublimation

Hi Carla Robertson and Arthur Porter, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Our mission is to nurture the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of individuals with “Dreams or Broken Dreams” and provide them with new inspirations and opportunities for their innovative ideas and products. As a master leather craftsman and master seamstress, we knew we could have an impact on our community by teaching others our craft, what we knew about business, and to inspire others creatives to share their knowledge to help others. This will impact our community and our legacy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Since 2006, with the help of many volunteers, the Executive Board members, Arthur Porter, Carla Robertson, and Lance Peeler, have collaborated to develop Dallas Designing Dreams, a viable community networking facility, to serve as a networking facility in the community. Dallas Designing Dreams offer creative skills development with marketing and entrepreneurial opportunities to youth, breast cancer survivors, young people with autism/learning differences, high school/college interns, veterans, and seniors.

Every day we get to meet people from various backgrounds and situations who need encouragement to pursue their dreams and we have the opportunity and equipment to help bring those dreams to life.

It was not easy but we learned how to be a self sustaining non profit after the crash in 2008, and have been going strong since 2006.

We have learned to protect our studio space. We have created at space of respect, safety and healing and we do not allow anyone to disturb the atmosphere of our studio.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Co-founder, Arthur Porter Dallas Designing Dreams Board member, Lance Peeler

Website: Dallasdesigningdreams.org

Instagram: @dallasdesigningdreams

Facebook: dallasdesigningdreams

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ArthurPorter

Other: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/401573 sewingforlife.net https://www.sewpowerful.org/pages/sew-for-charity-dallas-texas