Sewing Archives » SewIsta

Why a Maternity & Breastfeeding Clothing Range?

May 21, 2019 By: SewIstacomment

I started making Pregnancy and Breastfeeding clothing when I was pregnant and breastfeeding baby nr 3 & 4. It was impossible to find anything stylish to wear.

I felt frustrated with what was available in the stores. Most of the maternity clothing was baggy, plain and really not well made. Breastfeeding clothing was basically impossible to find.

I wanted stylish, pretty clothing that would fit well and make me feel good. I wanted modest breastfeeding friendly clothing that was fit to wear to work. And since I could sew I decided to make my own.

Now during my last pregnancy, I realised it wasn’t just me struggling with these issues. So I decided to share my talent so all the other pregnant and nursing mom can also look fabulous and feel great every day during their pregnancy or breastfeeding journey.

Our range of Maternity & Breastfeeding friendly Clothes is individually handmade by moms for moms.

Browse our collection below and let us know what you think via the reviews pages or the contact us page.

Keeping Record – a Sewing Project Diary

February 5, 2019 By: SewIstacomment

I decided I needed to start keeping a Sewing Project Diary. But why? you ask….

The Problem

Have you ever made something, then a few months later you want to make it again and you cannot remember what size you made or what fitting adjustments. Or even which pattern you used? No? Well, that’s me, I’ve done it countless times.

So, I decided to start keeping track of the items I’ve sewn. On Facebook I saw a post by someone with a cool looking project sheet where you can make a drawing of the item you are sewing and attach samples of the fabric used. I didn’t save it, and then couldn’t find it again, so off to Pinterest I went.

I only managed to find 3 “sewing journals/planners”, this one by diydanielle.com, this one by sewmamasew.com and this one by simplesimonandco.com. All of them were nice, but had things I didn’t need/want or were lacking things that I’d like to keep track of. I’m sure if I kept on searching I would’ve eventually found one I liked better. I just didn’t want to go to all that effort.

The Solution – my own sewing project diary

I decided to go to even more effort and make my own…. Yes that’s right, I went on and created my own sewing project diary sheet to keep a record on, with all the info I want on there.

It has space for info from 2 different patterns because I like to make sets of things. And they don’t necessarily form part of the same pattern. Then, my favourite part. It has a space for a line drawing of the patterns and a sample piece of the fabrics I used below that. There is a space for a list of the items required to make the pattern/s and they can be ticked off if I have them. Below that I can make notes about any changes I’ve made to the pattern as well as any changes I’d maybe want to make if I make the same pattern again. There is tick list to track my progress while making the item. And last but not least a space to note for who the item was made, when it was made and if it was for a special occasion.

Because this was for my personal use, I’ve made it in Afrikaans. But I like it so much and have subsequently decided to create an English version and offer it to my newsletter subscribers. As a freebie ofcourse!

When you sign up for my newsletter below, you will receive a link to download my Sewing Project Diary, FOR FREE! All I ask is that you not share the link directly with anyone, but rather send them to my website to sign up & download their own copy.

Already a newsletter subscriber? Don’t worry, you will receive a link for the download in today’s newsletter.

Are you keeping track of what you are sewing? If so how? Or do you feel it’s a waste of time? Why? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments….

A new year – AGAIN

January 9, 2019 By: SewIstacomment

Well “Hello There!” 😊

Its a new year again! I started 2018 full of excitement and with lots of plans. But then I fell pregnant and as a result everything else was pushed aside a bit, including writing blog posts. Sorry about that, but with this being my last pregnancy, I am made sure to “enjoy” every moment of it, even the all day sickness….

Little C was born at home on the 2^nd of November after a super quick 30minute labour. I have been (and still am) enjoying all the newborn cuddles I can get. He is now just over 2 months old and I am starting to be able to steal a moment or two here & there to spend on here.

I managed to make all the maternity wear I needed for this pregnancy as well as 2 sets of breastfeeding pajamas. With my previous babies I just used normal pajamas, but let me tell you, these are a game changer. Little C got quite a few mommy-made outfits and has been rocking them on his cute cloth bum. I hope to do a roundup post of all the items I made in 2018 soon.

I have managed to clean up my office/sewing room and look forward to start sewing up some awesome new items soon.

For the year ahead, I have big plans. Including some new fabric bases, new colours in our hand dyed range and a whole new range of products which will hopefully be added to the website soon.

I know I have been slow in replying to some of your queries, and I apologise but who can say no when this cutie pie wants you to hold him the whole time?

So here’s to 2019!

May your pins always be sharp and your bobbin thread never run out!

January Sewing Round Up

February 4, 2018 By: SewIstacomment

The new year has kicked off with a bang and lots of sewing. For the first month of January I’ve already sewn 5 items and it’s been an awesome experience so far. January Sewing Round up

Week 1

In the first week of January I finished sewing up the last pillows for our new couches on the patio. Read the blogpost about those here. I still need to finish the covers for the seats, but I haven’t had time yet.

Week 2

[Read more…]

Sewing my first ever pair of Jeans

January 21, 2018 By: SewIsta5 Comments

I always struggle to find jeans that fit properly, usually its only the most expensive ones that look somewhat decent. This week I decided it was finally time to make myself some Jeans. The folks at Sew Altered is running a 2 month “workshop” on fitting casual pants. Katie had some good suggestions for Jeans patterns & choosing your size in this post, I was inspired. Project two for my #2018rtwfast, here we come.

Which Jeans Pattern to choose…

I chose the Jalie 2908 Jean pattern, it’s a bootleg jean pattern and is supposed to flatter my inverted triangle figure. Bonus as I like wearing bootleg jeans 😉 The Jalie 2908 comes in a regular waist & low waist version and I cut the latter.

I ran into my 1^st problem having to choose the size. According to Katie’s blogpost you should pick your size based upon your hip measurement. But mine was 1cm bigger than a 6 and 2cm smaller than a 7. After picking the brains of fellow members in the Sew Altered & Capsule wardrobe facebook groups, I decided to start with a size 6 and see how it goes.

Then I ran into my 2^nd problem, [Read more…]

Using the last fabric I purchased

January 14, 2018 By: SewIsta1 Comment

And so another week has come to an end. Our challenge for week 2 of the 52weekchallenge was to make something from the last fabric you purchased. My last fabric I purchased was on a local destash page. I bought it with the specific purpose of using it as part of my planned capsule wardrobe for the 2018RTWFast. Thus, this was an easy one for me.

What fabric did I use and what did I make?

Last Fabric Purchased I chose a double brushed poly with navy and white stripes and bright coral flowers. My biggest challenge was to decide what to pair it with. I had a plain navy and a plain coral Viscose Lycra in my stash already and my secondary goal here is to use as much as possible of what I already have. It was a tough choice but the navy won 🙂