mama sews best

Last week my cousin posted a graphic about what fills and empties our children’s emotional cups. I quickly realized that I was unintentionally emptying my child’s cup (in a time where he so desperately needs extra love and attention) because my own cup was so empty. I hated that my patience was so thin and I was quick to be angry (a triggering emotion related to being overwhelmed and feeling alone for me). I hated that what I learned through counselling for PPMD four years ...ago about the importance of self care and asking for help was (and still is) considered illegal. I do take this virus seriously and I do respect the restrictions, but gosh, this is hard, mamas! I started this hobby/business as a means of self care for PPMD. As we all navigate this lockdown life, please extend some grace to me. If you have an order waiting, know all I would love to do is sew, but with a baby who doesn’t like to sleep, facilitating virtual learning for a 5 year old and trying to manage my household, there isn’t much time for sewing unfortunately. The last thing I want is for sewing to be a source of anxiety instead of self care. I appreciate all the understanding and patience you offer to me and I sincerely hope that each of you can extend some grace to yourselves and find those small pockets of time to unwind so you can be the best version of you for yourself and for your littles.

New product alert! Knotted headbands. Available in mama, big kid, toddler and baby sizes. Pricing starts at $10. #mamasewsbest #shoplocal #cambridgeontario #hespeler #mamaandmematching #matchingheadbands #knottedheadband

June 20 is #longestdayofsmiles and @operationsmilecanada is hoping to give 3,000 children who have cleft lip, palate or other facial differences a new forever smile! In honour of our sweet baby girl, Our family is raising money for this cause. We are so fortunate to live in a country that covers this surgery (and any additional surgery needed) and all related medical issues until Jess is 21! Our goal is $240, which is one surgery for one deserving child. From now until June... 20, I will donate 10% of each order toward this cause. If you would like to donate, please use the link below to our fundraising page. https://secure.operationsmile.ca//Lo/LongestDayofSmiles20

I can’t take it!

Speaking of having less fabric choices for ponchos this year...there are always solid colours available! Love this neutral choice of colours (hand me downs and hiding stains, yes?! ) . . . #mamasewsbest #cambridgeontario #hespeler #handmade #shoplocal #carseatponcho #neutral #keepthemwarmandsafe

Remember that sneak peek photo I shared a bit ago? Well...here is the finished product! . . . Fabric tutus are just the cutest for birthday outfits or dress up! Tutus can be custom made with matching headband and/or custom onesie.... . . . For the boy mamas out there, I do also make custom diaper covers and bow ties for boy birthday outfits! (I apologize for the overload of girlie things as of late but, come on! ) See more

GUYS!!! I completely forgot to pick a winner from the stop and shop last weekend! My bad! Mom life, am I right? . . . Congratulations to Chloe Townshend! You’re the winner of the $40 #mamasewsbest gift certificate

Been getting messages about ponchos and fabric choices. Surprisingly, I actually HAVE been using all my fabric, and unfortunately, I cannot get my usual fabric haul because I normally go to the states to do so #thankscovid . . . I can look for fabric locally and online. Send me a message if you have any colours or patterns in mind and I’ll do my best to find you something you’ll love!

There’s been a bunch of new followers lately, so I thought I’d introduce myself (plus, I just got these family photos back from @focusfilterphotography and I’m obsessed so I need to share Also, Shelby is so talented and an absolute joy to work with. Highly recommend for anyone wanting professional photos taken in the Cambridge area!) . . . Hi, I’m Erin, owner of #mamasewsbest I have been married to my husband for 8.5 years and together we have the most beautiful child...ren - almost 5 year old son and soon to be one daughter. I began this business pretty much exactly four years ago when I sewed my first project ever, a car seat poncho, for my then 10 month old son. I had always wanted to sew, but was the queen of starting hobbies and never following through. When my counsellor suggested taking up a hobby for self care for my postpartum mood disorder, I decided to take a class to learn how to sew because there was no way I was going to read my sewing machine manual! . . . That class, some YouTube videos and a genuine love for creating have brought me to where I am today. Today, I still enjoy sewing car seat ponchos the most, but also love to try new things (stay tuned for new products coming soon!) and have even branched into sewing my own clothing (I made the matching dresses worn in these pictures by myself and my daughter). . . . It is entirely thanks to you all for the gift of sewing and all it has brought to my life. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to continue to learn and practice and buy all the fabric I cannot wait to see where this passion will take me next! Thank you sew much for all your support and kind words over the years. They have truly helped me to become confident and trust that I am capable and pretty damn good at this (if I do say so myself ). . . . Stay tuned for new products, a Christmas giveawayand another stop and shop coming soon! Drop a comment below letting me know your favourite product and/or what you would like to see added and/or if you are a mama with a side hustle. I’d love to see and support you also! . . . #mamasewsbest #supportlocal #mamassupportingmamas #mamamakers #sewingislife #buyallthefabric #postpartummooddisorder #youarenotalone #lovewhatyoudo #dowhatyoulove #handmade #cambridgeontario #hespeler See more

I am so grateful to all of you who support the dream I never knew I had! It is because of you that I am able to stay home with my babies by making a little money on the side doing something I absolutely love. And for that, I am sew, sew thankful! . . . Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

Oh my goodness, what a day! Thank you so much to everyone who supported this mama and her small business today. And THANK YOU for your patience as I attempted to navigate online while also in person. Those first couple hours were insane and I was very overwhelmed! Good problem to have, but I am sorry if I didn’t respond to a message or if you weren’t able to get an item you hoped for. I will work hard to rethink this process before offering an online sale again. If you still ...haven’t heard from me regarding a comment, send me a message and I will respond to that. Also, if you claimed an item, please send me a message to confirm your order, pick up and payment. If I do not hear from you by tomorrow evening, I will assume you do not want the items and I will put them back into my stock to be sold. If there is an item you were hoping to get today but weren’t able to, send me a message to order. Sale prices will be honoured for some items if ordered today (beanie hats not included). I will post the winner for the $40 gift certificate tomorrow! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!

Updated photos with what is left

I hate doing live videos

T O M O R R O W is the big day! . . . In addition to $5 beanie and ruffle hats (aren’t these ruffle hats just the cutest for fall? ), I will have a $5 and under C L E A R A N C E table! ... . . . It’s gonna be the perfect fall day to get those beanies and ponchos, so I can’t wait to see you tomorrow (6 feet apart, of course or online)! Don’t forget to tap going on the Facebook event to be entered into the draw! See more

Ah, I just love you all sew much, I can’t hold back. . . . Car seat ponchos $5 off ANY SIZE OR PATTERN THIS SATURDAY OCTOBER 3RD ONLY!!! Valid for in person or online during stop and shop hours.... . . . Don’t forget to head to my Facebook page and tap going on the event to be entered into a draw to win a $40 #mamasewsbest gift certificate! Share the event and be entered twice! See more

Just a reminder for this Saturday and to tap going to be entered into the draw!... Check out #mamasewsbest stop and shop THIS Saturday October 3 from 9am-4pm. In person AND online! Masks and social distancing required for in person (see event for more details). EVERYTHING ON SALE!!!... Fall beanie hats and ruffle hats only $5 FOR ANY SIZE! (newborn - 5T available for purchase) Car seat ponchos $5 off any size or print! Baby carrier covers/stroller covers $5 off. 5-in-1 car seat covers only $10!!! Regular $25 Bandana bibs only $5! Masks for adult and children are available for donation only! Pay what you can Grow with me outfits regular $30, 50% off!!! Graphic maternity shirts regular $30, 50% off!!! Clearance table $5 and under! Like my page, tap going on the event and be entered into a draw for a $40 gift certificate for mama sews best. Share the event and be entered twice!

Less hustle, more grace. . . . Just a gentle reminder for myself and all the mamas. Give yourself room for grace instead of striving for perfection. And please kindly extend this grace to me as I work through orders in the only two precious evening hours I have to dedicate to sewing ... . . . #mamasewsbest #lesshustlemoregrace #giveyourselfalittlegrace #mamassupportingmamas See more

I forgot to mention...tap going on the Facebook event for the stop and shop next weekend to be entered into a draw for a $40 gift certificate! Share the event and be entered twice!

Wait for it... . . . $5 beanie hats and ruffle hats, ANY SIZE!!! (regular prices are $6-12!!)... . . . This promotion is valid ONLY on Saturday October 3rd from 9am - 4pm. . . . #mamasewsbest #fallstopandshop #shoplocal #ilovefallmostofall #beaniehats #rufflehats #wearamask See more

Don’t forget to tap going on the stop and shop event page to be entered into a draw to win a $40 gift certificate for mama sews best! Share the event and be entered twice! . . . Make your online and in shopping experience easier (and safer!) by knowing the measurement of your child’s head. I can then help direct which beanie hat will fit best. Stay tuned for beanie hat promotion...