My personal pattern company go-tos. Part 1

I am in the fortunate position to have reached that wonderful stage where most days I am wearing at least one item of clothing me-made. If this comes out in conversation I often get asked which pattern companies I use... ( Yes once a patient of mine did not only walk out at the end of the consult with a scrip but also a sewing pattern co. recommendation). So for the next few weeks I will be sharing these with you.

When I started sewing in 2019 I was first lured in by cute baby fabric designs. My youngest boy was about 6 months and one day I had an urge to sew something. Not wanting to commit to buying a sewing machine I was unconvinced I would use, I started by hand sewing a buzzy bee faux fur backed throw....,My then 3 year old eldest child was delighted...And I was hooked!

Very soon Nicola my sister-in-law and also now business partner had me exploring the world of sewing clothes. Where was my first pattern bought from? - Waves and Wild (back then it was Made by Jack's Mum).

https://www.wavesandwild.com/shop/

In late 2019 I proudly sent mister eldest to day-care in a pair of me- made Harem pants made from a jersey dress I no longer wore, and my serotonin levels were through the roof.

Fast forward to now: I do own a sewing machine (and yes maybe a couple of over lockers and a cover-stich machine etc etc) and I still love and regularly make from her patterns. Why do I love them?

• clear concise instructions

• Great selection on wardrobe basics for the whole family

• Heaps of knit patterns- definitely my go-to company for knits

• Great fit

The generosity of a lot of businesses and individuals has really struck me as I have started my business journey with Clothed. Waves and Wild allow sales from their patterns at no cost to the seller. I have used their Hot Coffee hoodie pattern to adapt for arm access hoodies and a mash of the Sundowner sweatshirt and Hot Coffee hoodie to adapt for the soon arriving port-a-cath access hoodie.

So if you sew and haven't already found them, or if you have ever wanted to sew an item of clothing, and like I was are daunted by the idea,... please check out the Waves and Wild patterns! You won't regret it - but WARNING: this may be highly addictive!

Current set up.

Confession (Rebecca's)

I'll let you into a few little secrets. I don't like the idea of blogging one bit. I am quite happy for my thoughts to stay mine! I am also very happy to be missed over in those "ice-breakers" especially when you have to share one interesting fact about yourself... (Oh no, please no).

The word "Net-working" makes me simultaneously want to throw up and run 10km- fast. Please just call it something else -although I grant you "coffee and chat with inspirational people" doesn't quite roll off the tongue! So what happens when that instinct meets the business start up phase? Serious discomfort that's what!

Now I have been doing my fair share of podcast listening, meeting attending reading and chatting about business start- ups and I have come to the conclusion that the above sentiments are now unable to go unchallenged. And so here we are and you ( hi there) have manged to stumble upon the first of my "early start-up" blogs. What will these be? Regular, weekly ish ( gulps), honest (gulps again) uplifting?

So this week: I had a genuine question about the hoodie design which was exciting. As this particular things has been mentioned a couple of times now I am doing a few different mock-ups to incorporate these requests so keep checking in on the shop and please keep the requests coming!

Lastly my orchids are blooming. I bought my first orchid after my second boy was born. I figured at that point my children had survived and so why not try an orchid. It bloomed fantastically and then everything died back. I reluctantly realised it was probably bound for the compost but then life got in the way and it never quite made it - and then it came back to life! So now every time they bloom I am thrilled; they did it. It definitely looked dicey but then they bloomed. There's a life-lesson in there somewhere...

Excitement in the doing

It was wet and windy when our little family of 4 stepped into the central library in Christchurch. We were on holiday and daily trips out are good for us whatever the weather. The kids (2 yrs and 4 yrs at that point) were heading to the kids section with my husband, but I was a little behind. I happened to stop and browse the "just returned" bookshelf, and this book found me.

I'm sure I wouldn't have read more than the first chapter, with stoppage time to go walking up and down the steps repeatedly (as stairs were a fascination at this point) and to read a few stories, but I knew I would be buying this book.

I believe humans are designed with creativity inbuilt within them. However I also believe, as referenced on the back of the book "creativity and innovation are like muscles- the more we use them the stronger they get."

Now, let me tell you about Nicola, she's a huge creative force a massive encourager, my sister-in-law and the other half of this current team of 2. When we get together to work there's a lot of brainstorming and even more banter.

There are stories of creativity everywhere. And I find myself being constantly inspired. One of the areas I would however like to crush creativity in, is when people need to be creative just to get dressed and undressed. We are inspired by such people and carers. We want to design and make clothes that function for you and spark joy. Whilst Nicola and I are so excited to have got to the start line with Clothed (we are building our muscle) -we want you to be along and inputting from the start. Thank you to those who have journeyed with us so far!

So please join us: contact us via the website or socials and tell us your "wish list" (working on next product), let us know if you would like to be a product tester and visit our shop/ tell someone who might benefit from our products. And know that behind you we are working our creative muscles for you.