DESIGNERS TO DISCOVER: SEW BAKE MAKE

We're delighted to welcome Sew Bake Make to The Fold Line family! We've been looking forward to stocking these wonderful patterns, and we'd love to share what makes this brand so special.

Created by the talented sewist and content creator Candice, Sew Bake Make is a sewing pattern brand brimming with creativity and passion. After leaving behind a career in law, Candice has embraced her true calling—designing beautiful patterns and inspiring others to discover the joy of sewing. Her journey from courtroom to craft room is a testament to following your passion, and it shines through in every pattern she creates.

Candice aims to make sewing as accessible and easy to learn as possible. The patterns are perfect for elevating your daywear, without compromising on comfort. Pick the endlessly versatile Nora Tank for effortless summer style, the Strawberry Shortcake Dress for picnicking in the park, or the Sourdough Set for all your sun-drenched adventures.

Some of the patterns have helpful sew-alongs on the Sew Bake Make YouTube channel, and Candice has an abundance of sewing vlogs that showcase her skills and projects.

We wanted to discover more from Candice about the patterns and the inspiration behind the brand, so here's a "getting to know" Sew Bake Make interview...

How did you get into sewing, and what do you love most about it?

I started sewing about seven years ago, at 33, just after I had my first son. I was on maternity leave and looking for a new hobby, and landed on sewing.

I had met a friend in my prenatal class who sewed, and I was so inspired by the things she was making that I decided to give it a try myself. I bought a basic Brother sewing machine from Amazon and started with simple baby bibs. My mom showed me how to thread the machine and sew a straight stitch—and I was hooked almost instantly.

It didn’t take long before I moved on to clothing, and from that point on, there was really no turning back.

I’ve always loved working with my hands, and I’ve always been drawn to fashion, so sewing felt like the perfect intersection of those two things. It’s such a satisfying and rewarding skill—the feeling of finishing a garment never gets old, especially when it’s something I’ve imagined, drafted, and sewn from start to finish.

We'd love to know why you started your brand, and what has been the most surprising thing about selling your own sewing patterns?

When I first started sewing, the indie pattern world wasn’t nearly as expansive as it is today. I found myself constantly hacking existing patterns, and before long, I started drafting my own blocks so I could create the garments I actually wanted to wear.
Around that time, I connected with Lindsey (@thestitchfitz) on Instagram. What started as casual conversations about sewing quickly turned into something bigger—we began talking about creating patterns together, and eventually decided to just go for it.

That’s how Staystitch Pattern Co. was born. We released our first pattern, the Lola Tank, in 2021, and it was an immediate success. From there, we went on to release seven more patterns together. Building that business became the turning point for me. It showed me that this could be more than just a passion—that it could be a viable path forward, and ultimately gave me the confidence to step away from my career as a lawyer.

Staystitch Pattern Co. has taken a bit of a backseat over the past couple of years as I’ve started releasing patterns on my own—and in doing so, I feel like I’ve truly found my passion.

I love every part of the process: drafting, sewing mockups, refining the fit, and even the digital side of things—creating the pattern files and writing the instructions. There’s something incredibly satisfying about taking an idea all the way from concept to a finished product that someone else can bring to life.

I think the most surprising part of selling patterns is how much it’s not just about the final design—it’s about teaching, problem-solving, and helping someone feel confident enough to make something for themselves. That’s the part that’s really stuck with me.

Describe your brand in three words...

Approachable, classic, chic.

Could you tell us about your personal style? What are the things you enjoy wearing the most, and do you have any go-to outfits?

This is a bit of a tricky question for me, as I feel like recently I've been in a bit of a style identity crisis! I feel like I've only just recently left the baby/toddler stage with my kids, which I think is a stage where a lot of people feel like they lose their style. I've been trying to pay close attention to what I gravitate towards and reach for, and I think my style is mostly classic/chic, but I also love when an outfit is a little edgy. I've also discovered that I love wearing colour, and that's something that the sewing community has inspired me to do! I love wearing bold coloured pants, and my go-to outfit has been wide-leg, bold pants and a neutral top. I wear my leopard print KnowMe pants multiple times per week, and my favourite summer pants are a pair of chartreuse culottes! 

Which is your favourite pattern from your collection and why?

My favourite pattern from my collection is the Nora Tank, which is actually my first pattern. I just love the deep neckline and the amount of options it has! I wear a Nora Tank weekly in the summer and love how versatile it is! 

What's your most favourite, and least favourite part of the sewing process?

My favourite part of the sewing process has to be understitching; it is just so satisfying to sew :) My least favourite part of the sewing process is definitely hemming. I have a pile of garments that need hems in a box in my sewing studio! 

We'd love to know what you are currently sewing!

I'm currently sewing a sewing machine bag- I've been teaching workshops and desperately need a bag to transport my machine, and also a Strawberry Shortcake dress for an upcoming trip! 

Could you share any plans you have for upcoming patterns?

I have so many ideas and too little time, but I'm currently working on an elastic waist barrel leg cargo pant, a dress pattern for the summer and a classic T-shirt!