About Us

Hello, my name is Kate. I’m a cartoon artist and illustrator by day, a masters-level competitive breaststroker by morning, and a book-loving cat lady by night.

Oh, and I'm also the founder of Lane Line Threads—starting now!

I swim at 7 a.m. every day (yes, I know, way too late for serious swimmers, right?). I live in the wild South with my wife and our three cats. My wife is currently training to become a medical doctor, so she spends most of her time in the hospital these days. That means on weekends, you’ll usually find me swimming in the Pearl River—I love open water swimming.

But you’re probably here for the brand, the shirts, and how this all got started.

One day, I got tired of my old pool shirts and ended up doom-scrolling on Etsy, looking for something new. I wanted shirts with inside swimmer jokes—the kind only swimmers would get. I needed at least six of them. I pictured myself walking around, people looking at my shirts, not getting them… until someone did—and smiled. Then I’d know: aha, a fellow swimmer!

But all I could find were basic, cheap shirts with the same tired phrases, like “Just keep swimming.” Cute, but not what I was looking for. 

So I told myself, “Kate, you’re an artist—not a fashion designer—but still, make what you want to wear.”

And that’s how Lane Line Threads was born. I started designing swim-themed shirts just for myself. But the more I made, the more I fell in love with the process—and the shirts.

Now, let me take a step back.

I’ve been a vegetarian for over 30 years. My wife and I never throw away old clothes—they become household rags first. I recycle everything I possibly can. I've been donating to Greenpeace since I was 16.

I deeply love and care for my beloved element - water, from tiny mountain springs to the open ocean. I love this planet. I love life.

My motto? Be the change you seek.

That's why here at Lane Line Threads, two things mattered most: comfort and sustainability (read: the planet).

After a long swim, we all want something that feels like pajamas—soft, roomy, breathable. That’s why I chose fully organic cotton that goes straight from the farm to the print shop, and then to your door. I carefully select fabrics and other innovative, low-impact materials that reduce waste and conserve resources.

I use water-based, non-toxic inks that minimize our environmental footprint and create soft, breathable prints - not those plasticky patches that feel like a sticker stuck to your chest.

I focus on made-to-order production to reduce excess inventory and waste.

I carefully inspected all possible packaging options, and now I can proudly say that your order arrives in sustainably packaged and mindfully shipped materials, free from unnecessary plastic. 

And this is not all, 1$ from every order goes to Oceana, the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. 

For Swimmers by Swimmer.

Whether you're a competitive athlete, a dedicated masters swimmer, a passionate coach, swim parent, or simply someone who finds peace in the water, Lane Line Threads is for you. 

My designs capture the humor, grit, and triumph of swim life - from early morning practices and the scent of chlorine to the exhilaration of pushing your limit.

Join me in wearing our passion responsibly. Together, we can make waves, both in and out of the water.