It all started with a Barbie® doll, and the love of sewing was ignited in Kathy Barnard by the age of seven. The allure of sewing turned into a fascination with fashion as a teen, and the satisfaction of saying "I made it myself" was enough to encourage an interest in high school and college. Seeking a career in the fashion industry, she earned a bachelor’s degree in apparel design and textiles from Auburn University, receiving the Charles Kleibacker "Most Promising Young Designer Award" from the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers.

Upon graduation, she worked as an assistant to Betty Grisham, an internationally respected textile artist, from whom she learned textile dyeing techniques and an appreciation for fine fabric. Her connection with Betty led to a position as a children's wear designer for the ready-to-wear industry, which presented the opportunity to travel to New York seasonally for fabric- and trim-buying trips. Her experience in children's fashion landed her a position with Sew Beautiful magazine and Martha Pullen company. Here she was educated in the art of heirloom sewing techniques and served on staff as an assistant to the editor, writing and illustrating instructions for the magazine and various Martha Pullen publications. In 1995, she was promoted to editorial director. She is responsible for all editorial planning, including a majority of copywriting, illustrating, and photo styling for the bimonthly magazine. Her vision for Sew Beautiful is to inspire the designer in all who love to sew by combining beautiful fabrics with innovative techniques and classic styles to create an overall guide to fine sewing. In addition to editing the magazine, Kathy continues to design for the Sew Beautiful Pattern Collection and serves as a guest on Martha's Sewing Room, a PBS television show hosted by Martha Pullen.