Hijabtrendz Exclusive: Sew Chic and Unique
November 23rd, 2009
We recently stumbled across the most adorable website run by a hijabi in Oman. This site is all about sewing and using that craft to come up with products from makeup cases to purse organizers.
Hijabtrendz caught up with the girl behind the site, Mayya Al Said, and asked her to let us know more about her, why she sews, and life in Oman.
Mayya Al Said, 28, was born to a French mother and Omani father. She currently lives in Oman with her husband and two young daughters.
Al Said describes herself as a “sewist” and that is British English for seamstress. She recently started her own company called Sew Chic and Unique.
So what made her take up sewing? She says she got into the craft because she decided to quit her day job to be home with her kids.
“I knew that I couldn’t just sit at home and watch TV all day, I needed to do something productive. Last November I was browsing the net one evening when I came across a blog that inspired me to take up sewing. I enrolled for sewing classes to see if I was any good at it and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, and have been addicted ever since.”
Sewing is an enviable talent to have, but she says it’s nothing that can’t be learned.
“I personally found it quite easy and I think it’s because I was so eager to learn. I believe that anything is easy depending on how you approach it. I really wanted to learn sewing and took it very seriously from day one. And with time, taking it one stitch at a time, my machine and I have become the best of friends! Mistakes are made but its nothing that the seam ripper cant handle.”
What exactly does this talented hijabi sew? Al Said says she started with a bag organizer.
“I got lots of comments on my blog after I made it for myself, which is a life saver, ladies believe you me you will never miss a phone call again! Other items I sew include business card holders, make up roll and pouches. My genre is currently bag accessories but it is not limited to that as I plan on adding lots of different handmade items.”
Aside from sewing, Al Said assures us that she has other hobbies.
” I love to spend time with my husband and kids. I am a bookworm and have been ever since I could read and oh I love shopping!”
Most people may be taken aback by her love of shopping, after all she lives in Oman right?
” Just to clarify no I don’t live in a tent next to an oil well. Oman is as modern as the US, we have cinemas, malls, parks, and Universities. We take pride in preserving our culture and history because we don’t believe that we need to discard our traditions in order to be modern.”
She says the only challenges she faces living overseas is when looking for sewing notions and other supplies like designer cotton fabric for her sewing projects.
“Sewing in Oman is slowly evolving therefore the sewing supplies are limited to the basic items.”
After getting rave reviews on the purse organizer, Al Said says she decided that she wanted to go into the business of selling handmade items, but she didn’t want the hassle of opening a brick and mortar shop.
“Having an online store is perfect because I can sell my items from home and be around my kids. In addition to being online, my clientele is anyone, anywhere in the world how cool is that!”
According to Al Said life in general is not easy and being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world. She says to be a successful entrepreneur you have to dedicate lots of time and effort to achieve your goal.
“When you are a mother, your immediate family is greatly affected by the pressure and stress. I am grateful to have a very supportive family. My husband, my niece and my mother help me by taking care of the kids and understand that I need help to reach my goal. They are my support system and without them I wouldn’t have been able to follow my passion. My girls are my driving force. I remind myself that it is for them that I want to be successful, so they too can follow their dreams just like mummy. I try and balance between my sewing time and spending time with my kids. I must admit it is not easy but it can be done with lots of love, support and dedication.”
What is it that makes her so passionate about sewing? She says it’s being able to make something according to your specifications and taste.
“The possibilities are endless!”
If you are interested in sewing Al Said says to trust in yourself and keep practicing.
She hosts a weekly “sew a long” called Sew it. It’s aimed at helping beginner sewists tackle simple projects and banish the fear of using a sewing machine.
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I own one purse organizer made by Mayya and I can vouch for the workmanship! Her attention to little details is amazing. Lovely work from an equally lovely person. I feel lucky to know her.
Fabulous! I really like that she has the help and support of her family. That is a much needed key to success!
..there is one thing growing up sweing & another to teach yourself & then turning it into a business! very cool, I must say…