How Sewing Became a Lifeline: Rebekah From The Gathered Seam, on Grief, Memory Keepsakes & Small Business

This week, Rebekah, also known as Sewno65 on Instagram, shares her journey from self-taught sewist to running her successful memory keepsake business, The Gathered Seam. 

In this episode, we talk about her creative process, balancing sewing with family life, and the powerful role craft can play in navigating grief and personal growth. 

A thoughtful conversation about sewing, storytelling, and the meaning behind what we make.

Key Takeaways:

• Rebekah’s journey into sewing began after being inspired by The Great British Sewing Bee. Largely self-taught, she later took a few classes to build confidence and refine her skills.
• Before sewing became a bigger part of her life, she worked as an events manager. But while pregnant with her second child, she made the decision to step away from a high-stress career and focus on something more sustainable for her and her family.
• She went on to start her own small business, creating memory bears and blankets, alongside alterations and bespoke pieces.
• In 2023, after the sudden loss of her father, sewing became something much deeper, offering comfort, focus, and a way to process grief. 
• Rebekah shares how craft can be both mindful and therapeutic, and how she continues to prioritise sewing even within a busy family life.

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Guest Details: 

Instagram: @sewno65

                     @thegatheredseam

Website: https://thegatheredseam.sumupstore.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewno65/

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Chapters

00:00 The Journey into Sewing

04:04 Diving into Dressmaking

09:22 Personal Style and Fashion Choices

10:40 Finding Time for Sewing

14:04 Career Transition and Business Beginnings

18:23 Evolving Craft: From Personal to Professional

21:39 Teaching the Art of Sewing

25:32 The Journey to Counselling

26:41 Crafting Through Grief

29:59 The Mindfulness of Sewing

33:23 Balancing Business and Life

33.25 Join my Substack 

Transcript

Gemma Daly (00:10)
Rebekah welcome to the Sewing Social podcast. I'm so happy to have you on today.

Rebekah (00:15)
Thank you, Gemma. I'm really excited to be here.

Gemma Daly (00:18)
I was wondering if you could introduce yourself to the listeners.

Rebekah (00:21)
Yeah, of course. Yeah. So as you said, my name is Rebekah and I'm known on Instagram as sew number 65, that's And I'm also on Instagram as the gathered seam, which is my little business that I have.

Gemma Daly (00:35)
Lovely and we're going to go into all of that today but I wanted to know first of all how did sewing first come into your life?

Rebekah (00:38)
Mm-hmm.

Actually, I love that it's taken place today at this time around what are we in April because this marks 10 years since I started to learn to I'd watched The Great British Sewing Bee, I think as a lot of us have and get inspired. But around that time, I'd also read a book called The Dress it was about a dressmaker and I actually haven't read it since because I have a thing.

I can't read a book twice and I can't watch a film But it's a really lovely book. I think it's by an author called Kate Colgan, if I remember right. But it just really inspired me. And I also remember, I think it was around series four, that time, of the sewing bee, and a local girl, Angeline Murphy, who I'm now really good friends with. She was on it. And I think seeing someone local, that just really inspired me to get going.

And yeah, the rest is history. That's my life. It's not a big part, it's just life. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (01:44)
Yeah,

yeah, amazing. And it's really nice that you're now friends with Angeline as well. Didn't you just see her at the weekend?

Rebekah (01:49)
Mm-hmm.

I did, yeah,

because I think like the joys of busy lifestyles and know this doing this and that and you don't really get to see, you know, some people a lot. So yeah, we just ran into each other at a local park and it's just lovely. It was really nice. And I think the nice thing as well, I think in general with friendships, really good friendships, but even more so when sewing's involved is you just pick up where you left off.

Gemma Daly (02:17)
You do.

Rebekah (02:18)
And yeah, so I would say she's been a big inspiration, certainly getting started sewing and then a little bit more, which I suppose we'll delve into maybe in a little bit. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (02:29)
Yeah, well, I was wondering then, so are you completely self-taught or did you put yourself through some classes at that point?

Rebekah (02:36)
so I did a class with a lady and she called Christine Boyle, colour and cloth, a local business. And I remember her beginner classes were sold out. So thought, sure, I'll sign up to the intermediate class. I couldn't wind a bobbin. I remember I was sitting at my first sewing machine and my mum said to me, what are you doing? I'm winding the bobbin. I was winding it by hand.

Gemma Daly (02:52)
you

Aww.

Rebekah (03:01)
which of course

we only wind elastic by hand. So yeah, but I dived right in and I loved Christine's class. She was very good and gave me the skills to get started and the confidence. I think that's a big thing and so on and learning to sew is just developing that confidence to go for it. Yeah, so and apart from that, I did the odd class, actually some of Angeline's classes here and there.

Gemma Daly (03:19)
Absolutely.

Rebekah (03:25)
different workshops, but mostly since that self taught. And again, that's where the confidence comes from. I think if you've got that confidence or some of it, then you can just go for it and keep learning new skills.

Gemma Daly (03:29)
Amazing.

Yeah, definitely. And we know each other quite well by now, don't we, Rebekah? We're friends, just to let the listeners in on that.

Rebekah (03:43)
We do. We do. Yeah, I think after

our trip to London, we've fully established who is the map reader and who isn't. That would be you. And the one walking two streets and walking three streets backwards.

Gemma Daly (03:54)
That would be me. Yeah. ⁓

We all have our strengths, don't we? So did you sort of dive straight into like dressmaking or did you start with more crafty projects first?

Rebekah (04:06)
We do, yes.

Yeah, I would say dressmaking, very much so. I remember one of my first dresses that I made and I know we'll talk a bit about teaching soon, my first, one of my first dresses, it had a raw hem. Well, I'd folded it up once and it was quite fray material the lining was un-hemmed underneath but I wore it with pride. And think you'll start somewhere. But you know, dressmaking.

I I just loved being able to create something for me that's unique and for my own body, while it probably didn't fit very well at the beginning. But yeah, even since I do some bags, some crafts, but it's dress making really has my heart.

Gemma Daly (04:58)
Yeah. And you are very much somebody that does just go for it, which I love. And now you've got the skills after, like you say, 10 years. You can pretty much make anything you want, can't you?

Rebekah (05:10)
Yeah, I think that's the beauty as well, because through the years you find what you like to make. I would say to people, to be honest, I could put my hand to pretty much anything now. But what I like to make are pretty blouses and dresses. I think I love denim, I love jeans. But I find you can't really get the same finish with jeans, know, the way that they finish the hems and factories, like that kind of washed look.

Gemma Daly (05:36)
Mm-hmm.

Rebekah (05:37)
But it is nice that it's nice to tell people, I could try anything. The one thing I would say, that gives me the fear is shirring And I really want to master it. I love, could, what I don't have is the patience to just wind a lot of elastic bobbins. I have.

Gemma Daly (05:48)
You could totally do that!

Honestly,

not that bad. I've done it. And if I can do it, you can.

Rebekah (05:58)
No. Yeah,

I have done it once. I did it once about two years ago. Amd I made a shirred dress, but Brogan from the Crafty Pie, she's very inspirational with the shirring And I see her new pattern, the Sunday set that's coming out. So I think, yeah, that might push me to get back on the shirring.

Gemma Daly (06:11)
Mmm.

Yeah.

Yeah, I want to make that one as well, but I find it quite a nice thing because you are just sewing in straight lines, but you get that beautiful like ruched effect, don't you?

Rebekah (06:21)
Yeah.

Yeah.

Yes, I think once you master the tension and I suppose it's getting that practice to notice the way and once you get going, yeah, it's very methodical.

Gemma Daly (06:38)
Yeah, I think I've been lucky though. My machine just seems to like it. So I haven't had a problem, but I know a lot of people have.

Rebekah (06:42)
Yeah. Yeah, I actually

have heard that I think maybe sometimes the more computerized machines are a little bit more tricky or ⁓ and I think there's somebody I've known that has gone back to their more basic machine to do shirring. don't know. So. But we'll try. Yeah, maybe, I'll make it.

Gemma Daly (06:53)
Okay.

Hmm interesting.

you will, you will, you won't be able to resist. So you mentioned that you like to make blouses and dresses. Do have any particular favourite patterns?

Rebekah (07:14)
Okay.

the moment. really loving the one that I'm wearing, if I say it right, the Lisi Blouse and it's Dress Pattern 2 by Fabric Godmother. I really love it and I've got another one cut out. I haven't had time to make it but I really want to make the dress version as well. Another one that I'm really loving which is my outfit for the Stitch Festival the Juno Dress by Spaghetti Western I'd say another thing that I've really steered away from is doing like a neck

Gemma Daly (07:23)
Mm-hmm.

Rebekah (07:45)
I think when time is short, you kind of go towards you tried and tested patterns, but it's fun to try new things. And I must say that the instructions from Spaghetti Western were so good, especially with that neck placket. It was so refreshing. It was nice because I know it's something I know I can do, but to be able to just go through it with no bother. And I've got the Presley shirt by SoSew Dressmaking Cutout.

Gemma Daly (07:46)
Mm-hmm.

Yeah, yeah.

Rebekah (08:11)
as well. I really want to get making that. So in a nice striped fabric, I actually saw a shirt in Amsterdam two and a half, maybe a year and a half ago. know. Time moves so fast. But they didn't have my size in the shirt. And what do all us sewists say, well, I could make that. So that I couldn't find the right fabric. then so it's I don't have it to hand, but it's like that purple and pink stripe.

Gemma Daly (08:21)
you

Rebekah (08:35)
Kind of like linen look, I got it from Sew Me Sunshine. So I'm going to make it in that. And I actually came across another pattern the other night called the Ines Dress So it's I-N-E-S by Just Patterns. And I do follow them, but I hadn't really seen much of their stuff. But I've seen a really nice denim version with each seam top stitched. It's like two lines. I think the panel on the front is made up of about

Gemma Daly (08:35)
yeah.

⁓ yes.

That's beautiful.

oooo

Rebekah (08:59)
I don't know, six or eight pieces. It looked really flattering and a real classic. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (09:03)
Yeah, yeah,

you'll have to make that one for sure and then you'll make me jealous.

Rebekah (09:09)
Which year will that be? Because, yeah, so many plans, so little time.

Gemma Daly (09:15)
Yeah.

how do you think you would describe your style talking about those kind of patterns?

Rebekah (09:22)
Girly, think girly. I think since having two boys, two young boys, they were six and four. My style has changed a lot, especially since the youngest was born. I think I'm finding my more, I don't know, feminine style. I really love the nice necklines and pinched But you one moment, part of the day I could be dressed up like this.

And I love getting into my leggings and my fleece. But I would say quite, I don't know, is girly a style. I think quite smart, casual, more casual and smart. And I think it just depends on our lifestyles. What our wardrobes need at that time. I still like to really, my main outing of the day is always the school run. So I like, you know, that's my main catwalk.

Gemma Daly (09:53)
Yeah, I think so.

Yeah.

Rebekah (10:13)
I

Gemma Daly (10:12)
Are you strutting down to the school?

Rebekah (10:16)
don't know about studying, maybe marching down to the school and especially in the mornings trying to get there on time. But yeah, I just always like to wear something that I've made and something that feels pretty, that makes me feel good rather than how it looks. It's more I think how it makes us feel. And yeah, good feelings, happy feelings. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (10:31)
That's really nice. Yeah. Yeah,

definitely. And you obviously very busy what with having two kids and running your own business. How do you find that time to sort of carve out to make your own

Rebekah (10:41)
Okay.

I don't sleep.

It's the biggest question, where do you find the time? But you know what? If you want to do it, you find the time, you make the time, you And I think just like anything, are times when my business takes over, teaching takes over, which you know we'll get into. And I haven't sewn weeks ago, I think this is last thing I made.

Gemma Daly (10:54)
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Rebekah (11:07)
But one thing I would say about finding time is as much as I love to make something from start to finish in one go, that's very rare that happens. The little snippets, pre-washing the fabric, cutting it in another session, reading the instructions in bed, it all just keeps those creative juices flowing. But I would sew more at for myself. And sometimes you just have to say, look, do know what? I'm going to sew for me tonight.

And one day, well, just one Saturday a month, my friend Sharlene, Sosew dressmaking, she runs a make and mingle like day. People can bring their own craft. And I try to get to most of those. And I think it's nice to carve out a day. you're with like-minded people, good catch up and a good session. To make something, actually, hopefully I get there next time, I think in June.

I suggested, and I don't know why, I didn't think this through, I suggested that Sharlene and I have a competition and see if we can make a blouse from start to finish. I think it was the Carnation blouse we discussed. We're not set in stone with that So, yeah, there might be a little, either June or some stage, we're going to have a competition to try and see who can finish it. I said that she still has to do her, like, organizing side to keep it fair, because obviously she will, she will win.

Gemma Daly (12:18)
that's fun.

Yeah.

Rebekah (12:27)
So we'll see how that goes. But no, would say it's really important to carve out time, whatever your hobby is. You know, I go to Pilates on a Tuesday, well normally on a Tuesday at 12, not today. I just make time for it. I think in this busy world, we really do have to make time for our own mind and as much for our mind as anything else. Sometimes we do want a new outfit.

Gemma Daly (12:43)
Yeah.

Rebekah (12:49)
Sometimes it's just, I need some me time. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (12:53)
Yeah, I absolutely

agree and I think you do prioritise it if you really want it, don't you?

Rebekah (12:59)
Totally, health as well is getting so much don't know, more talked about, more prominent, which is really good. And I think hobbies are getting I know they're coming more to the forefront.

Gemma Daly (13:06)
Mmm.

I think it's essential. Like I literally could not do without my hobbies. I don't know what I'd do with myself. I'd end up watching TV all day.

Rebekah (13:15)
Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

I know,

I often think, I hear some that don't, I don't know, they don't have a particular hobby and I don't know what I would do. My mind is too busy. say, you know, I need something even whenever, if we're, if Robert and I and my husband, we sit down to watch something on TV, I would do, well I was doing knitting, knitting, knitting's not for me, no, realise that.

Gemma Daly (13:29)
Mmm.

Rebekah (13:45)
A little bit of embroidery or one thing he doesn't like though, he puts up with it, is if I'm cutting the paper pattern because obviously cutting the paper is really noisy. I don't know, there's always something I've got to be doing. Yeah, no, it's good.

Gemma Daly (13:52)
Okay.

Yeah, same.

So I wanted to talk to you a little bit about, like, your career change, because you were working, I believe, at a university, is that right?

Rebekah (14:04)
Mm-hmm.

Yeah, so it was a local college. It's actually when I studied, I to do my degree. Got an internship in the marketing team and then through time got permanent role and I worked as an events officer. So I organized different college events from small to large, the largest being the big graduation of the year, which did bring a lot of, it was a stressful time.

Gemma Daly (14:33)
Yeah.

Rebekah (14:34)
But it was the time before kids, it was the career that I wanted then. then I guess after, Matthew's my youngest after he, well, I think when I was pregnant with him, so I'd had high blood pressure with Henry and when I found out was pregnant with him, I thought it's not going to be good for either of our health to keep going. And I don't know, the time came then to leave that job.

And then I had a little interim that I worked in retail just to see me through pregnancy, which was to be honest, it is nice to leave work at the door and come home and still earn something. And then will see once my maternity was ending with him, I realized and I know I don't know one parent that wouldn't agree the childcare situation that we have in the UK and it wasn't viable for me to go back to work. What have I been paying out?

Gemma Daly (15:15)
Thank

Rebekah (15:20)
wages back out again on childcare. came to the decision for me to come out of I suppose paid employment or know employed by an employer with no plan to start a business at that time and I really I have to say I really struggled coming out of employment. I mean of am really lucky that especially now that I've got the balance of time with the boys and

you know, that I can work my business around it. But I think at that time, it's like, I felt like an identity change almost, like, I don't know who am I? And while, like, Robert couldn't be more supportive, but I still liked that own independence. I'd like I've worked from, was in school, you know, I had a little Saturday job. And so, yeah, so then that's how my business, which is called The Gathered Seam was born.

Gemma Daly (15:52)
Mmm.

Rebekah (16:12)
Just doing little bits and pieces, some custom orders. I don't really remember back at the start. The start was only about September 22 when I decided. And I guess if you want, I'll start from the beginning, I suppose, with the name. I wanted something that meant something to me that felt personal. There's so many sewing puns right was thinking different terms and sewing, and I came to the word gathered.

Gemma Daly (16:26)
Yeah.

Rebekah (16:38)
I have the gathered seam because I mean, you know yourself, my Instagram what I Probably 90 % of what I make has gathered seams. the gathered seam was born. And yeah, I started like a little bit of alterations, a little bit of memory bears then because someone asked me to make a couple. And it took off slowly.

at the start. then I know I'm going to go into another topic, but we can retrace. My dad passed away in January 23. And he always he was a train driver all his life. He grew up watching the trains. That was his dream. And he was also a steam train driver for the steam trains in Northern Ireland. So.

That was just his life, his passion. And before he passed, shortly before, and this really drove me and my business. He was filmed by a German railway programme and in it he was on the steam train being filmed and he said, if your job's your hobby, it's not work. And that just really stuck with me. And I know it's not possible for everybody. We've got to make ends meet with life. But yeah, that was my inspiration and really

Gemma Daly (17:40)
you

Rebekah (17:49)
I did take a break from trying to the business but from that, then I just pushed to try and grow my business and I guess when I started, I put on my business cards, memory bears, alterations, sewing lessons, custom clothing, just to see I think what was going to take. I thought I can do these different things but I'm not sure what people want.

I find with the custom clothing, you don't really get paid for Sadly, the fast fashion world has destroyed that slow fashion world, that's the thing. And I'm sure a lot of us get people saying, you should sell your own clothes. then you're like, it's not really as straightforward as that. And I don't really want to. I just want to make clothes for me.

And that's where I'm at now. I make clothes for me and that's Well, I plan for the boys, but I don't have time. What is over me? The Gathered Seam now has evolved where I only do maybe a few alterations for people that I've done before, for friends. I have to be very special friends to get an alteration.

But so my main part now is that I make memory keepsakes including bears or different animals, blankets and cushions. And I also teach sewing.

Gemma Daly (19:07)
Amazing. So when you make the memory bears or the memory blankets,

do people like send you it? Do you go and collect the things or how does it work?

Rebekah (19:17)
Yeah, so it's a bit of a mixture. I mean, everything I've done has all been within Northern Ireland. would say a lot would drop off with me. So I'd always, know, pre-arrange a  time that they come and drop the clothing off. But I like to think I'm a nice person. So if somebody lives, you know, I teach in a called Lisburn in Northern Ireland. Anyone here will know it.

There's other places, if I'm going to be a place and they live near that place, then I'll say, do you want to meet halfway? So we'll either meet, some will posts it to me if they're further away. And I have had a few postal ones. think when they're that far away, that's a nice feeling. they've had a couple from Lorne, which like Lorne's a good hour and a half from where I am.

And then up the North Coast too, which is probably about, I don't know, the very top of the North Coast, about two and a half hours or thereabouts where I am. So, yeah, it's nice. think when I started, you know, it was friends that were ordering, then it was friends of friends. Now I've reached a place where people are finding me online, mostly through Facebook, I think. And it's nice to get a name that you don't know of because then you know, right.

I'm getting right there.

Gemma Daly (20:30)
Yeah, that's amazing.

And do you feel any pressure when you're making those like memory items? Because I think I would if I was doing it.

Rebekah (20:37)
Mm hmm.

I think through time and building my experience and confidence.

There is, I mean, I guess there's always going to be a pressure because once you cut into those precious clothing, you know, you can't really go back. And I think there is quite a variety memory keepsakes out there. And for me, my quality really important. And I think that's why hopefully my business is growing because my empathy is getting out there with people and also the care that I put into the keepsakes.

To me, think the thing to remember is if you've confidence in your skills making the it's precious clothing and not taking away from that, I'm cutting fabric, know, it's fabric, I'm turning it into a Some there, some things, some there's feel closer to home, especially if it's been a, you know, particularly a dad, but I'm making it a memory of.

I try to I try to manage my workload to keep the pressure. That'd be better.

Gemma Daly (21:39)
Yeah, yeah, and that all comes with time as well, doesn't it? Learning your own processes and getting familiar with what you're doing. But let's talk about the confidence then that you've built to actually teach people how to sew. So do you teach adults and children or is it just children?

Rebekah (21:44)
Is it?

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

So I teach children and adults. The youngest I teach ⁓ from age five. So I teach for another studio, a local studio to home. And I at the moment I'm teaching in two primary schools. So we do little hands-on projects with them. I know school years are different over with yourself in England. But so my first class is P2 and P3.

which I don't know what's about age five to seven thereabouts. then P4 to P7, sort of, I don't know, let's say eight to 11. But yeah, right, primary school children except for that first year. And then I taught, you know, from teenagers, adults, I've done some classes I think oldest, when I say the word oldest, people up under maybe seventies. Yeah. And I think

Gemma Daly (22:32)
you

Yeah, yeah.

Rebekah (22:49)
think learning to teach people of different ages, it forces me to adapt my communication. suppose explain things, how I explain something to a five year old, it's going to be completely different to an adult. Really try to try and simplify it. And I say, you know, if you're thinking about teaching, if you're confident in your own skills, like at the end of the day,

I have to remember this is what I do all the time. I sue. It's in my brain. I think one of the things I have to remember and I'm still learning is not to take things for granted that people would know that. know, things that are automatic to us be to somebody that learns. But every lesson, every time I'm learning, like, oh, oh, I should have said that, sorry. But I think it's an important step as well for

Gemma Daly (23:26)
Mm-hmm.

Rebekah (23:40)
So and students to learn as well, you know, we learn by doing, not just by doing everything right, but making a few mistakes along the way.

Gemma Daly (23:48)
Absolutely. That's the only way to learn, I think. If everything went right all the time, you'd never learn anything. Like, how do I fix this if it goes wrong? Who knows? It always went right.

Rebekah (23:49)
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.

Exactly. Yeah.

And I think, you know, it is just jumping in there and doing it. I think in my last job, I said about events, there was a bit of public speaking. I'd done public speaking when I was growing up in school as well. So I think that helps. I always remember when I worked in events, working in events, it's like you're like a swan. You're pedaling furiously underneath, but you're calm on the top.

And that's why I try to present myself. But even with any type of public facing, think a little bit of nerves are good because it shows you care about it and it drives you that little bit of adrenaline to just go for it. I'd say like before the start of a new set of classes, there's always those nerves like, am I going to have? going to like me? Am I going to be OK?

But once you get the first couple of minutes over, you just ease into it. it was Angeline Murphy that got me into teaching in a local centre me here. So it's just amazing how connections and, you know, getting to know people can, let life absolutely.

Gemma Daly (24:59)
Yeah, how it can lead to things, exactly. and you're

a very good talker, so I'm sure that you meet a lot of people in your everyday life.

Rebekah (25:06)
Really?

I

was actually, I was catching up with somebody on Saturday and I was talking about teaching or something and they said that I had the gift of talking. I'm like, I don't know where you're getting that from. I really don't. Yeah, I think it's important. And I'm studying at the moment, which I can touch on if you want to, but learning when to speak and when not to speak. Yeah, as well. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (25:20)
It's a good gift. It's a good gift.

Yeah, because you said

you're studying to become a counsellor, aren't you? So that sort of, like you say, knowing when to speak and when to listen is actually quite a skill.

Rebekah (25:37)
Yeah, yes.

Absolutely.

It is. And again, I think, you know, I would never thought I'd be going down this road. And I that's another part of my career change. It is my aspiration that I think I'd love to be a councillor down the line. waiting to hear if I'm to get on to the next stage under the foundation degree in counselling, which would that qualification would then let me.

practice as a counsellor But I think I find even with those studies, it's really helped with my business too, especially because I would say a good 80 % of the memory keepsakes I'm making are from people that have lost somebody dear to them. So those counselling skills, not that I'm counselling somebody.

but been able to just stop and listen and be that listening ear, you know.

Gemma Daly (26:32)
Mm.

Yeah, absolutely. And you did mention earlier, and we've obviously chatted about this beforehand, because I didn't want to just spring it on you, but you kindly said that you'd be happy to talk about the grief that you've been through with losing your dad. And I wondered if craft actually helps you to deal with that grief in some way.

Rebekah (26:42)
Yes.

Of course.

Mm-hmm.

Mmm.

Completely, yeah. I think everyone needs some outlet. Those early days, they're ingrained in head. everybody rallying around me with support and what can I do for you? And sometimes during that time, a lot of the time I just needed silence. But the problem was silence.

was that my mind got louder. And so in that really noisy time in my head, sewed and I sewed and I sewed. And it wasn't because I needed a new outfit. It's not because I wanted a new outfit. But when my hands touched that machine and my foot on the pedal, there was a rhythm. And I was in like, I suppose, a flow state of reducing

what anxiety and stress that I felt at that time. I did research a bit into it even just before we talked how someone can help with grief. don't mind, actually I wrote a few things down just so I can remember because. But yeah, it's just things like it's a way to process emotions, know, so it's just putting your hands on the machine keeps you in that present moment.

Gemma Daly (27:59)
Absolutely.

Rebekah (28:11)
And even getting this little victories at that time, but you feel like you're completing something. It doesn't have to be good. The main thing is, is that you, you've got the outlet. the biggest thing was just having that rhythm for my hands. Yeah, just such a lovely constant that is there. But yeah.

Gemma Daly (28:15)
Yeah.

Rebekah (28:33)
I sewed and I sewed and then here I am with my business. even still, because I know, coming off topic of my dad there, but, you know, I've sewn all the time, making bears and blankets. But when I sew for myself, it doesn't feel like work. It's completely different. I can make all the mistakes in the day, which I do, because I think I've let my guard down and, you know, relaxed. And so when you sew for yourself.

Gemma Daly (28:52)
you

Rebekah (28:58)
You really are sewing for yourself. You're not just sewing something to wear, you're sewing for your mind and your body. But I think definitely the craft, the sewing, it got me through, it was a large part, apart from family, it got me through the grief. It is something that if my counseling journey goes the way that I hope it will, that I can incorporate some sewing and crafts into that, kind of craft therapy too. It is there.

Gemma Daly (29:24)
That would be amazing. That's giving me goosebumps, you know, cause it's, it's incredible how everything's related, you sewing's not just this separate thing that we do. It, like you say, incorporates parts of your body and your mind. It's mindful. So you're just sort of focusing in the moment, which a lot of the time in these particular times that we live in,

Rebekah (29:27)
You

Yeah.

Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (29:51)
We're not present, are we? We're either scrolling or we're doing like 10 other things, but it's amazing to use your hands.

Rebekah (29:52)
No. Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Absolutely, because even whenever I'm teaching the kids, I'm highlighting the importance of it's important to actually look what you're doing, because when you don't look what you're doing, you get pricked in the fingers. And the same with the machine. You know, if you look away, I mean, it's just like driving. You have to keep your eyes on the road, otherwise you'll veer off. I think, as you say about scrolling and being on the Internet, I just love getting back to a craft.

Gemma Daly (30:10)
Hehehehehe

Rebekah (30:26)
that's using our hands. I do think the world is, you know, appreciating the crafts with our hands a bit more now. just lovely being able to create something with our hands. And I think it's sewing, feel like it's getting more accepted again as a hobby. It's not just something that our relatives did, you know, to make ends meet. It's something that we actually want to do.

Gemma Daly (30:32)
Mmm.

Yeah.

Yeah. And I spoke about this recently actually, but when I first started sewing and specifically my own clothes, I used to be a little bit embarrassed and I'd be like, yeah, I do this. This is my hobby, but don't tell anyone kind of thing. And now I, am absolutely not embarrassed at all. I'm really proud. And I will say, you know, yeah, I've made this and people do react.

Rebekah (30:49)
Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

Mmm.

Yeah. Yeah.

No. Yeah?

Mm-hmm.

Gemma Daly (31:14)
in a really positive way. So I'm not sure why I was embarrassed.

Rebekah (31:16)
Did you?

Did you? I also think that's why we're related to our confidence as well in our own ability. know, that first dress I talked about with the single fold hem, I don't think I would have shot it. Well, I did shoot for the rooftops with that, so please. But now, you know, I hope the things that I like things, well, I they're better than some of the things you find in the shops. They're certainly pattern match better. So they are.

Gemma Daly (31:22)
Mmm.

Absolutely.

Rebekah (31:44)
Yeah.

Gemma Daly (31:45)
So do you, you you spoke about that you're working on your counselling. ⁓ Is it a degree or qualification?

Rebekah (31:50)
Mm-hmm.

So

it's a so it's a foundation degree. it's just like it'd be the level below a level six bachelor's degree, kind of level. Once I, if I did the foundation degree, then I could move on to, well, I can practice counselling them, but then I could go and do like a specialism or add other qualifications. So because I don't have enough to do in the day, you know. Yeah, because.

Gemma Daly (31:55)
Thank

Okay.

Yeah. Just add another thing.

Rebekah (32:19)
And people would, you know, it's just like making time for my own so and the people say, where do you get the time? It's just been organized. It really is, you know, scheduling your day, writing out plans. like with my my business, I got to the stage, some stage last maybe that this time last year was like, I can no longer say to people, yeah, I can make for that that for you in a couple of weeks. At the moment, thankfully, the way I tried to pace it out I'm booked out to about August.

Gemma Daly (32:26)
Mmm

Rebekah (32:46)
with memory is amusing to be in. But it's also now that where people message me like, oh, I have to tell them that it's actually months But, you know, I've got my order book, my schedule book. So, yeah, it's just and I'm not saying I'm organized all the time. But having those systems in place helps you just carve out time for each thing. There's obviously things like teaching. Those are set times.

Gemma Daly (32:46)
Wow!

Rebekah (33:10)
and then the making and trying during the mornings when the boys are at school, but sometimes it still spills into the evening times and depends what's going on that week really.

Gemma Daly (33:20)
Yeah

it does doesn't it? So you've got all of that going on. Is your business, are you quite happy with where that is at the moment or do you have any plans for that?

Rebekah (33:24)
Yeah.

the moment, think I'm happy with the amount of teaching I'm doing, with the amount of bears or keepstakes, even just to give you an idea of where the growth has sort of where it's at. In 2024, so that was my first full year, Felt like the first full year. I made a total of 48 keepstakes, so bears, blankets and cushions. Last year, from January to December,

Gemma Daly (33:53)
Mm-hmm.

Rebekah (33:56)
I mean, 147.

Gemma Daly (34:00)
Just an extra hundred there.

Rebekah (34:02)
Yeah, just an extra hundred. And you

know, it's really nice looking at that figure because I suppose money comes in and money goes. But when I actually look at how much I made, a really nice sign to see how much I have grown. I'm not looking to grow this year. What I'm looking to find is a better work life balance.

that I am pacing things out because as I said, the quality of the keepsakes are really important to me. People ask, you know, could you get any help? But I perfected my processes and I don't really have time to teach somebody else and it's me that comes across in that bear. I do get help with one thing though, sometimes I trust Robert to trim squares for the blankets.

So he'll do,

Gemma Daly (34:43)
good

Rebekah (34:44)
he'll trim some squares, that's about the height of, yeah, what I can let go off. So I think just keeping the business going enough that I can balance life with the boys and with my studies. If I do get onto this foundation degree, it will require a lot more time for reading and studying. And because my orders are August, I'm a little bit in limbo that if I do get any more orders right now.

Gemma Daly (34:49)
Yeah.

Rebekah (35:09)
I need to consider, will I be studying then or what and how much can I take on? I actually had a thought of dare I say it Christmas in my head yesterday because I thought, I think I remember last year somebody messaged me, start of December. Can I make theirs for Christmas? sorry, can't. think last year's pick for Christmas, maybe from September.

Gemma Daly (35:14)
Yeah.

Mmm.

Rebekah (35:32)
And I guess that's the thing when you are working weeks once a head. You got to think of these time periods in the year, don't you? Yeah.

Gemma Daly (35:38)
You do. Yeah,

you do. So when will you find out about your counselling if you're on the course?

Rebekah (35:44)
Hopefully,

hopefully this week. I guess the time the podcast comes out, I will know or not if I don't get on it, because it is a very popular course. I know in one college service and another college, there is 73 applications, but there's 20 places. And so we'll see. I was pretty pleased with how my interview went. And yeah, I was told I'll hear soon. I have a friend that got onto the course.

Gemma Daly (35:50)
You'll know.

wow.

Rebekah (36:11)
on a previous interview they had and they heard about after a week or 10 days. So I'm by the end of this week, I'll hear and we'll see. Yeah. Thank you.

Gemma Daly (36:20)
Well, we're keeping our fingers tightly crossed for you.

So just to tie up the interview, Rebekah, I like to do a little game of this or that. Is that okay with you? Yeah? Okay, so knits or wovens?

Rebekah (36:27)
Yeah. yeah. Yeah.

We'll win.

Gemma Daly (36:38)
Classic plains or Bold Prints?

Rebekah (36:41)
ball prints.

Gemma Daly (36:44)
An organized stash or creative chaos.

Rebekah (36:48)
Organized stash, but in the midst of things, it looks like creative chaos.

Gemma Daly (36:52)
So you tidy

up afterwards, but the chaos is happening in between. A meal out or a takeaway.

Rebekah (36:56)
Yeah, it's still there.

Hmm, a meal out, Where else are we to show off our garments?

Gemma Daly (37:05)
I thought you'd say that.

Scissors or rotary cutter?

Rebekah (37:10)
Scissors, although I've had to go over to the rotary cutter side lately with the likes of the blankets to get those neat squares, but always scissors. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (37:21)
Yeah, that makes sense. Sweet or savoury?

Rebekah (37:24)
Sweet. Definitely. I've been trying to curtail my sweet tooth a little bit because it probably got out of hand. But yeah, definitely sweet.

Gemma Daly (37:25)
Sweet tooth.

So, would you plan every detail or make whatever takes your fancy?

Rebekah (37:38)
Oh, I want to say both. Plan every detail first, but then I find make plans and I'm like, but I actually want to make that because I knew our chats about London and back and forth. I'm going to wear this and going to wear that. I'm going to make that. Yeah, let's make what I fancy. Probably what I'm feeling at that time. Let's go with that.

Gemma Daly (37:48)
Yeah.

Yeah,

yeah. One project on the go or multiple.

Rebekah (38:04)
One project on the go, but multiple cutout. Does that make sense? Yeah.

Gemma Daly (38:08)
Yeah.

A zero printing or sticker PDF together.

Rebekah (38:14)
Oh hands down A zero. Unless I don't have time to get it printed A zero, otherwise just get another pattern. Yes.

Gemma Daly (38:16)
Yeah, same.

And the last one, stable fabrics or floaty drapey fabrics?

Rebekah (38:31)
I thought I'd go for the floaty ones. Yeah. Yeah, they sit better in the body, I think. They are.

Gemma Daly (38:34)
Lovely. They're nice aren't they? They're a little bit harder to work

with but they look amazing. Yeah. So where can people find you Rebekah?

Rebekah (38:41)
You get the results. Yeah.

Yeah, so I'm on Instagram as myself, Sew number 65. So that's S-E-W-N-O-6-5. And my business page is The Gathered Seam as well. And just the last point, actually, I've been thinking about changing my Instagram handle because I used to live in number 65, but that was four years ago. But everyone knows me as it. But that's just, yeah, it's just stuck.

Gemma Daly (39:07)
Mm-hmm. Yeah.

What would it be changed to if you were gonna change it? Do you know?

Rebekah (39:16)
I've

no idea. There's not many out there. And then I don't know, when people know your name, then yeah, it's hard. But it's a little memory of my last house, of our first house we moved into. But that's where you can find me. Yeah, thank you so much.

Gemma Daly (39:22)
I know.

perfect. And I'll link it all in the show notes.

No, thank you. It's been an amazing conversation and I really appreciate you coming to chat with me on the Sewing Social podcast.

Rebekah (39:39)
Yeah, yeah,

no that's been delightful. Thank Thank you, you too. Bye, bye,

Gemma Daly (39:44)
You take care. Bye. Bye.

Gemma Daly (39:49)
If you've enjoyed this episode and want a bit more of the conversation, I've started a Substack alongside the podcast. It's where I share some afterthoughts, what stayed with me, what we didn't quite get into, and a few more honest reflections. There's also a community space over there if you want to be part of it and not just listen. So you can find the link in the show notes and I'd love you to join me.

Until next time, happy sewing!