Pat’s story began in the deep south of the Cape. As a self-motivated young mother of two girls, Pat found herself stepping through the revolving doors of a local bank. Not as a teller, nor a clerk — but as the tea lady.
To some, her role seemed small, but Pat believed in excellence, no matter the task. She learned the names and habits of every employee, timing her tea rounds with precision, always ready with a warm smile and a kind word.
In the quiet hours of the night, she sewed lampshades in the spare bedroom of her home whilst her two girls were falling asleep to the distant rhythmic hum of her sewing machine. This is how she made ends meet: by sewing and selling lampshades as a side hustle. But this was not just another source of income for the household. To her, it was an escape from the demands of being a working mom and a devoted wife. To her, it was an experience of a sense of solitude whilst channelling her creativity to create something to be proud of.
Over time, her consistency in her day job caught the attention of those above her. One of the tellers offered to teach Pat how to balance the books during lunch breaks. Pat soaked up every lesson like a sponge. Before long, she was offered a position as a teller.
As her career progressed, Pat had to give up sewing. She packed away the fabric and closed her little side hustle with a bittersweet heart.
Years later, after retiring as a team leader at a retail branch of the same bank where she’d once poured tea and served others for decades, Pat found herself restless. The world of work was behind her, but her fingers still itched for thread and fabric. She bought a small fabric store in her neighbourhood. She could immerse herself in the world of textiles and engage with others with whom she shared a common interest daily.
The idea behind “Sew With Pat” was born out of her desire to make the art of sewing more accessible and convenient for those who want to try it, whether as a hobby or with the intention to turn it into their side hustle (like she once did). Pat’s journey from pouring tea to pouring her soul into entrepreneurship is now sewn into every sewing project kit curated by “Sew With Pat” – a reminder that with patience, skill, and a bit of heart, even the simplest thread can lead to a beautiful story.
