Meet the maker

Welcome to the Dahlia Sewciety, where the garden meets the sewing room! My name is Kristen, and it’s my passion in life to inspire people to try sewing their own fabulous wardrobe. I hope you enjoy sewing with these curated, boutique fabrics!

Why sew your own clothing?

I started dabbling in sewing garments as a teenager, but after many years of working in the retail/fashion industry I put that hobby on hold. I found sewing briefly again when my five children were young, and I enjoyed making costumes and dancewear for them.

When I turned 40 in 2012, I realised that clothing in stores lacked colour and personality. Clothing that fit my vision of how I wanted to dress was non-existent, and sizes were not inclusive. Ageism seemed prevalent in the fashion industry.

That’s when I found solace in my sewing machine again. But this time, I made clothes for myself. Not mending, altering, or making for friends — just my dream wardrobe. Being able to make clothing in my size was empowering and the ultimate creative freedom. It took away the negative body image I may have had in the past. My clothing became wearable art that encompassed my personality and fit my body.

In 2019, I took the plunge and started my YouTube journey. Since then I have found my community of 20,000 subscribers and over 2 million views. Each week I bring you the latest sewing trends and fabrics from my favourite independent pattern designers and Aussie stores, direct from my home garden in South Gippsland, Victoria. The dahlia patch and native birds are a perfect backdrop for showcasing pattern, fabric and sewing inspiration.

I hope you can join me in my pursuit of the ultimate handmade wardrobe, where comfort and quality meet colour and effortless style. You can find me on Instagram and YouTube using the links at the top of this page, and I would love for you to subscribe to my newsletter below so you can keep up to date.

Drop by for a cuppa and a chat soon!

Kristen xx