Welcome, my name is Chrisda and this is one of my babies. The name SewIsta is a combination of my favourite thing (sewing) and two letters of each of my eldest kids’ names.
Where it all began
I’ve been sewing since my 6th birthday. My birthday gift that year was my mom’s Vulcan Toy sewing machine, and I was in heaven.
My very 1st project was a top made from the bottom parts of a jean that I cut off. This idea was inspired by my dad’s sister who was an awesome plan maker.
I went on to start making clothes for my Barbie dolls and very soon my toy machine wasn’t good enough anymore. I begged until my mom gave in and let me use my grandma’s old Singer treadle machine.
By selling my Barbie doll creations, I earned good money in primary school. Most of which was used to buy sewing gadgets and fabric. I made lots of outfits for my mom, dad, brother & of course myself. Then came high school which I attended in a different city and I couldn’t really sew a lot for quite a few years.
After school, I carried on making clothes for myself and my family, and in this time I made an effort to learn proper techniques for sewing.
More Recently
I met my wonderful husband in 2006. When we set our wedding date in 2007 I decided to make my own wedding dress. I almost gave up a few times and came close to renting one, but I pushed through and completed it. For me it’s my greatest creation and I am very proud of it.
When our 1st baby was born the sewing bug bit again. I started searching for kids clothing patterns and made her a few outfits. I continued sewing for her and her brother who arrived 3 years later. Then after I fell pregnant with our 3rd baby in 2015, I really wanted to devote more of my time to sewing. Not only for my family but to make my dream of a sewing business come true. I am very fortunate and my husband supports my dreams 🙂
I felt the need (and was encouraged by a dear friend) to share my knowledge and started teaching sewing classes. Soon I plan on adding online classes / tutorials to the SewIsta website.
