The Hawaiian Seamstress Blog

Guide to Starting and Registering a Business in Hawaiʻi Starting a business in Hawaii involves several legal and practical steps. This guide provides a step-by-step overview to help entrepreneurs successfully launch their ventures in the state. 1. Develop a Business...

Create Beautiful Hawaiian Throw Pillow Cases with Ease
Learn how to sew a Pale Uluna (pillow case) for an 18x18” throw pillow using premium Hawaiian canvas fabrics. This beginner-friendly tutorial guides you step-by-step on cutting, hemming, and assembling your pillow case. Maximize fabric efficiency by making three cases from one piece. Shop high-quality fabrics like our Awapuhi Lenalena Collection and start your DIY journey today!

My Yellow Ginger Lei by kaulumaika The Mele 🎶 My yellow ginger leiReveals her scent through the dayEnchanting moments with youMakes me love you. Kuʻu lei awapuhi melemeleI puia me ke ala onaonaHoohihi ka manao ia oeE kuu lei awapuhi....

Explore the World of Stamping: In Hawaiian, one word for a stamp (the physical object) is "kapala". We’re excited to introduce our latest collection of kapala and everything you need to create with them! Whether you're looking to add personal...

Anyone else dying in this summer heat? I most definitely am (yeah no AC at our place in case you were wanting to visit)! I think that was the sole reason I decided to sew some comfy shorts and in...

Someone sent me the sweetest message on IG saying how much they've enjoyed watching me grow through the years of Kaulumaika and how they wished they could also take the leap one day to do something similar. They asked me...

As someone who loves to sew, I am always on the lookout for new and interesting sewing patterns to try out. Over the years, I've tried out a variety of different patterns from different companies and designers. In this blog...

When you have a newborn, and you have to wake up with him throughout the night, how do you find the perfect amount of light?  With my first baby, we lived in a studio so I would sometimes feed her...

Do you want to know how I “do it all”? (Surprise - I actually don’t. Keep reading… and don’t miss my poll at the end.)  How do you get it all done? Do you have things you need to get...

Sewing gets really fun when you start making more than just clothes. I hope you’ve seen the darling totes, purses, hats, chairs, curtains and even jewelry (what?) that our talented community has made with our fabrics.  Do you have a...

How do you feel about matching clothes for the whole family? Is it just me or do families in matching aloha wear look so put together? (Even though we all know trials and challenges come in all shapes and sizes...

I realized during this last pregnancy that I don’t have any maternity pictures of me with any of my kids. Remembering this time of life (being pregnant) is important to me, and since this might be my last chance to...

When I first started sewing clothing in 2019, I didn’t know much about sewing or patterns. I didn’t know interfacing from lining or common sewing terms, like I do now, but I wanted to make a dress for Pili. I...

I’ve given you some really great ideas for easy last-minute baby gifts… and here’s another one. If you want to, you can make it match the Double Minky Baby Blanket, the 4 Step Baby Beanie, or Cozy Baby Legging.  There’s...

It’s no secret that babies need to be warm and cozy… even in Hawaii. So warm and cozy is the theme with these really cute baby leggings. This pattern is free from Sew Much Ado. This is one of three...

Is there anything cuter than squishy baby cheeks with a stylish, cozy beanie? I have a friend who recently gave birth and it inspired me to make this baby beanie for her newborn. This is one of three baby gifts...

Use Your Serger to Make This Super Easy Double Minky Baby Blanket in 7 Steps I’m sure I’m not the only one anxiously getting ready for the arrival of a little one. Maybe your sister, friend, or daughter are expecting,...

Switching gears from all this acrylic painting! I’m excited to dive back into free-flowing watercolor. What I love about watercolor is that it’s not always in your control exactly how the colors blend. I like that it's a little unpredictable....

If you’ve ever been curious about what it’s like to do a mural, or you’re considering painting one or maybe you’ve already been commissioned to create one… Here are the top lessons I learned from painting my first mural for...

What is your grandma like? Is she sweet and indulging? Is she strict and proper?  Does she remind you of Abuela from Encanto, Grandma Tala from Moana or more like the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella? Well, my Grandma Char is...

Now that you have your fabric and you’re ready to make that first cut and go for it… what should you sew? First, let me tell you the story of when I started sewing… About four years ago, my first...