Julia Bartels, who brought her grandmother’s forgotten fashion dreams to life, announces her death

Social media star and self-taught seamstress Julia Bartels, who captured hearts by sewing garments from her grandmother Georgie’s vintage fashion sketches, has announced Georgie’s death. In a deeply emotional video shared on June 10 across TikTok and Instagram, Julia revealed that her beloved grandmother had passed away a couple of weeks ago after battling ongoing health complications.

Julia Bartels announces her fashionable grandmother’s death } Credit: Instagram/_boringbb_

A stitch in time and a farewell too soon

Georgie, who was in her 90s, had been struggling since August 2024, according to Bartels. The bond between the two transcended generations and sparked a viral movement that celebrated creativity, legacy, and second chances.

Julia first discovered Georgie’s passion for fashion during the COVID-19 lockdown, unearthing a collection of sketches from her grandmother’s teenage years. Georgie had once dreamed of being a designer, but chose motherhood instead. Julia decided those dreams deserved to be seen, not at a funeral, as her grandmother once suggested, but in the spotlight.

A viral dream brought to life

In June 2024, she told PEOPLE that Georgie had asked for the sketches to be either displayed at her funeral or published posthumously. Instead, Julia took action, sharing a TikTok of the sketches that went viral overnight. It led to Julia teaching herself to sew and recreating the designs using sustainable materials.

Julia Bartels announces her fashionable grandmother’s death } Credit: Instagram/_boringbb_

Love, grief, and a legacy shared online

In her video, Julia recounted her final moments with Georgie, saying their last exchange was a mutual declaration of love. She also shared Georgie’s sharp sense of humour, even in her final days, she was more concerned about what she would wear in the afterlife and which vintage side tables not to donate.

Bartels expressed deep gratitude to her 1.5 million followers, crediting them with giving her grandmother’s final years joy and meaning. She said Georgie had always been a superstar in her eyes, and was glad the world finally saw it too.

A goodbye, but not the end

Julia’s tribute was not just a farewell, it was a love letter to a woman whose quiet dreams were finally celebrated. The emotional announcement has garnered over 10 million views, proving that Georgie’s legacy lives on not just in fabric, but in the hearts of millions touched by her story.