Candice Alviz dipped her toe into a variety of hobbies before discovering the magic of sewing, and has never looked back!
By Candice Alviz
Having always been a very creative person – I love to make things and have tried just about every hobby under the sun, from baking to jewellery-making, crochet to needle felting. However, as soon as I started sewing, I knew I had found my biggest passion. I've always loved experimenting with fashion and styling, so when I learned how to sew my own clothes, it was like a whole new world opened up to me. It was so exciting to be able to dream up an outfit, and then be able to actually bring it to life!
STITCHING SIDE HUSTLE
I work as a lawyer as my day job (currently on maternity leave), but my real passion is sewing, so I started a small, indie pattern company called Staystitch Pattern Co (@staystitchpatternco) with my friend Lindsey (@thestitchfitz). Since 2021, we’ve released seven sewing patterns and have plans for many more!
It’s been a steep learning curve, but I love designing them and it’s so exciting to share them with the world and see people sewing and wearing them. Our patterns are modern, chic, easy to follow and size-inclusive.
INSTANT ATTRACTION
I sort of fell into sewing, and it’s not something that I necessarily sought out. I had a friend who sewed her own clothes, and before I met her, I honestly did not know that people still did that! I bought a sewing machine to make some bibs for my baby, as I was on maternity leave at the time, then soon after I made my first garment using a sewing pattern. It was a pair of wide-leg trousers, and I was immediately hooked!
I’m self-taught, and learned everything from sewing patterns, reading blogs, watching YouTube videos and, of course, trial and error! I love the magic of taking a piece of fabric and turning it into a beautiful garment.
DRAPED IN STYLE
There are many designers who really inspire my patterns and projects. My favourites right now are Oscar de la Renta, Alexander McQueen, Johanna Ortiz and Mara Hoffman. My favourite garments to sew are fancy dresses, and I’m leaning heavily into this phase in my sewing journey right now. I just recreated
