August: A Month of Celebrations and Reflection
August has always been a big month for me - Singapore’s birthday, my mum’s birthday, and mine. But in recent years, it’s become even more special with the anniversaries of Sewfisticated Craft Design (SCD) and Sewfisticated Supplies.
This year, SCD turns 4 and Supplies turns 2. 🥂
It feels surreal.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be part of the creative industry - let alone running not one, but two brands focused on bag making. What began as a personal journey into sewing has grown into something much bigger. Over the last four years, SCD has released 43 bag patterns and 1 bag/craft cost calculator - each a labor of love, from design sketches to testing, to seeing your beautiful makes out in the world.
Looking back, the first two years of SCD were fueled mostly by anxiety. I was constantly stressing over the next pattern - wondering if it would resonate with makers and worrying whether my work would ever feel “enough.” On top of learning bag design from scratch, I had to quickly master social media, e-commerce, and marketing - all the behind-the-scenes roles that come with running a creative business, while also being the sole income earner and managing monthly debt repayments. It was a relentless juggling act of creativity, survival, and self-belief.
Then came year three - a year that forced me to confront my mental health. Quietly, yet heavily, depression crept in. In hindsight, it was likely rooted in post-pregnancy struggles I hadn’t recognized at the time. The burden grew heavier with housing instability - moving four times in just five years (from 2019 until finally settling in our permanent home in 2023). Honestly, it was one of the hardest seasons of my life. Outwardly, I kept showing up. Inside, it was a constant battle.
Thankfully, by early this year, I began to feel the light again. Healing started - not just emotionally, but creatively too - through nourishing oils and the right supplements. ❤️ Finally, I was ready to tackle the Taylor Convertible Duffle Bag, a project I had put off for nearly two years!
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community!
I still remember the incredible excitement I felt when Jess Oklaroots featured SCD’s very first pattern, Pollies Pocket followed by the All New Pollies Purse. It truly felt like a breakthrough moment for me in the digital bag-making world, one that gave me so much encouragement and hope. To date, she has showcased 7 SCD patterns, including 4 that are part of the Wonderground Fabric/Bag Making Bees Club and I’m so grateful for Jess's and Gabbi's support every step of the way.
Featured patterns include Pollies Pocket, Pollies Purse, Sewfisticated Be Hip
From the Bag Making Bees/Babe Club, you’ll find favorites like - SnapN'Go Duffle Bag, The Sewfisticated Travelnizer, The Odyssey Pack, The Sewfisticated Planner and we look forward to continuing this wonderful collaboration in the future!
I’m incredibly honored to have been the March Designer for the Bag of the Month Club. Thank you all for your amazing support and love.
A special shoutout to Kassiah from Siagswag for sewing and showcasing SCD patterns on her YouTube channel - your creativity inspires us all!
Also, a huge shoutout to my amazing moderators - Sam Harris in Australia and Jenn Hoopert-McGinn from the USA. They keep me grounded when my plans get a little wild and lift me up when things go awry. Their support during sew-alongs and pattern launches, especially amidst all the behind-the-scenes chaos, has meant the world to me. I couldn’t have done it without them!
Lastly, a huge thank you to all the incredible bag-makers who tested SCD patterns and made sure that no detail - big or small - went unnoticed! You all rock! Be inspired by the testers!
If you love sewing and want to be part of this creative journey, keep an eye out - we’re always looking for passionate testers to join the team. Let’s grow and create together, one stitch at a time!
Bag-making Supplies
As for Sewfisticated Supplies, the journey has been just as humbling. Our shelves have revealed some clear favorites - popular lining fabrics, reliable stabilizers, quality vinyl, mesh fabric and 3D airmesh that many of you swear by. One of the biggest challenges from the start has been shipping costs - something I know has weighed on many of you too. That’s why I’m proud to have secured competitive and fast shipping with UPS, now offering flat rate shipping plus free shipping over a certain value.
From figuring out stock levels (sometimes too much, sometimes way too little 😅), to math errors (hello, one-and-only custom print!), every bump has taught me something valuable. Through it all, this community has been the heart that keeps both SCD and Supplies going.
Every order, every tagged post, every message - it reminds me why I started. I’m beyond grateful to have met so many incredible makers along the way who make all the late nights and learning curves worthwhile.
Looking ahead to the coming year, back-to-school and travel themes will remain close to the heart of SCD. I’m excited to continue growing our community beyond the SCD group by connecting with more makers over on our SCD Facebook page, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube channel. These platforms offer so many wonderful opportunities to connect, inspire, and create together.
To everyone who has been part of the journey whether from the beginning or just recently, a BIG thank you. 🙏🏻
Here’s to growing, healing, and creating together - one stitch at a time.
🎁 Anniversary Promotion – Just for One Week!
To celebrate our 4th and 2nd anniversaries, enjoy these sitewide savings from 8th August to 15th August 2025.
✨ Digital Patterns
- 10% off single patterns
- 15% off pattern bundles (multiple sizes in one pattern)
✨ Build Your Own Bundle – Save up to 40%!
Buy from this selection:
Zip Buddy, Pollies Pocket, Xaria Charm, SunnieSleeve, Backpack Straps, Sling Strap
- 2 patterns → 25% off
- 3–4 patterns → 30% off
- 5–6 patterns → 35% off
- 7+ patterns → 40% off
✨ Giveaway
Every purchase during the promotion period enters you into a giveaway to win:
– A USD 50 SCD gift card (for countries we don’t ship to)
or
– A Care Pack worth over USD 100 from Sewfisticated Supplies
✨ Bag-making Supplies
Stock up on your bag-making supplies and enjoy flat rate shipping or FREE shipping on orders above a certain value!
Plus, get your supplies fast with UPS delivery in just 1–3 business days to most areas.