About the iSEW
Sewing Studio

About the iSew Sewing Studio

iSew is a Boutique Sewing Studio established in 2015 offering sewing classes to small groups in the comfort of small studio spaces.

Classes are aimed to teach, inspire and build confidence in the home sewer. iSew Sewing Studio has grown from strength to strength and I am excited to add three new teachers to the team. They each bring their own individual stories woven around their passion for sewing and integrating the iSew Sewing Studio 10 years of sewing course syllabus.

Mascha

Hi, my name is Mascha and I am the proud mom of three beautiful children and Owner Founder of iSEW Sewing Studio in Cape Town.

I have been sewing since I was 9 and have always made most of my clothing. With studying Fashion Design and working in the clothing industry for 9 years I have gained experience in clothing construction for Mens, Ladies, Kids, Lingerie and Bridal wear. This experience I love to share and thus the iSew Sewing Studio was born where I also get to teach my passion. I teach what I know combining sewing techniques from the home sewing industry with that of the clothing industry. I write all my own notes and make full colour tutorials where need be. The aim is to learn to sew in an organic way where I am growing with my students, meeting their needs as they arise.

Mascha teaches in Plumstead and Stellenbosch

Taryn

Hi, my name is Taryn and I consider myself a multi-passionate creative, always eager to engage in anything crafty. My sewing journey started in 2018 as a recommendation from my Grief Counsellor after the loss of my brother.

I was told that Sewing encourages mindfulness and reduces stress and anxiety, and she thought that this would be a great outlet to focus my energy and give me a sense of accomplishment to support my mental health.

Cue Takealot delivery and a sewing machine arrives at my door. I watched a few Youtube videos and read a few blogs and was blown away by the creativity and so excited to have stumbled on this “new to me” sewing world. I gathered some supplies at my local Fabric World, seeing as I had been there years before in order to purchase fabric for my Matric Ball dress (I suppose each Teenager’s right of passage).

That said, I got some random fabric because I had absolutely no idea of the difference between a knit or a woven, and that there were actually so many fabric options available. I thought fabric was fabric and I just needed a metre to sew up a tote bag.

So I’m all set up and watching the instructional video and eventually figured out how to wind a bobbin and thread the machine. It was LOVE AT FIRST STITCH! I stumbled upon so many sewing videos and tutorials on Youtube and was absolutely addicted. My first project didn’t turn out great but I actually liked sewing. I figured that I could also sew my daughter’s some leggings as I was having to replace this item weekly. At that point my little one was 5 years old and would report back daily that the tree broke her leggings.

I was on the hunt for more fabric and somehow I discovered Union Rag in Wynberg. They were super friendly and actually recommended Mascha (Owner of iSew Sewing Studio in Claremont). I enrolled for the Beginner and Intermediate courses, and I was absolutely hooked. The sense of accomplishment I felt having stitched a wearable, one of a kind garment with my own hands was extremely satisfying. With the guidance of a great teacher this further cemented my love of sewing. I was able to take on more complex projects as my skills grew, and I had beautiful garments to show for it.

Sewing has become meditative for me. We spend so much of our time staring at screens, be it your mobile phone or computer screen at the office. With sewing, you are immersed in the task at hand which forces you to slow down and be present just focusing on one step and then the next. It declutters the mind and brings with it a sense of calm.

This has become more than just a hobby and creative outlet, it has become a part of my identity. I have been able to interact and “sewcialise” with so many amazing women and created new friendships thanks to sewing.

Sewing has influenced my appreciation of hand made clothing and everything that goes into a garment even if its’ just a simple t-shirt. It has opened my eyes to sustainability and what that means in our daily decisions.

I have the freedom to make garments that fit me and my body. I’m worthy of good clothing that fits well, despite whatever season my body is going through or struggling with.

I would like to share my love of sewing and sewcialising with others and the joy that comes with it. I feel my most authentic self when I’m wearing my own creations that have been stitched with love. I would like to spread my love of sewing and sewcialising with my sewing community.

Taryn teaches in Bracken Heights

Janice

Hi, my name is Janice, and I’m delighted to be teaching the iSew Beginner Sewing Course in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.

I was first introduced to sewing at the age of 12, growing up in Zimbabwe, when my mom taught me how to use a sewing machine. Throughout my teenage years, sewing became a creative outlet and a practical skill — I made outfits for parties, school productions, church events, and even the occasional themed club night where a handmade outfit meant free entry!

Life moved on and sewing took a back seat for a while, but after moving to Cape Town in 2012, the urge to create returned. I began sewing again through heartfelt projects like an advent calendar for my nephews and Christmas stockings for several children. While I loved sewing, I struggled with confidence when it came to garment-making without my mom’s guidance. I even sewed my wedding dress in 2016 with the help of my mother-in-law — fabric bought, dreams imagined — but I never quite had the courage to cut into patterns on my own.

That all changed when I discovered Mascha’s iSew classes. I completed her first two courses and absolutely loved every minute — both the classes themselves and the practice in between. As my confidence grew, I began experimenting with patterns, adapting necklines and sleeves, and exploring fabrics beyond what patterns suggested. Along the way, I’ve enjoyed many successes (and a few learning moments!) that deepened my understanding of how fabric and design truly work together.

I was a primary school teacher for many years and, although I no longer teach in the classroom, my love for teaching has never left me. When Mascha encouraged me to teach the iSew Beginner Course, it felt like a dream come true — combining my passion for sewing with my heart for teaching.

I’m truly looking forward to helping others build confidence, skills, and joy through sewing, just as iSew has done for me.

Janice teaches in Plumstead

Julie

Hey, my name is Julie. I am a mother of two sons and wife to the nicest man on Earth.

My introduction to sewing was sitting at my mother’s (Innocentia) feet while she peddled away on her Singer machine. Innocentia was self-taught and made all the clothes for the first nine of her twelve children.

So, when I got married, a Singer sewing machine was an expensive but necessary purchase. My husband and sons lived through all my sewing learning curves. Now you can walk around my house and bump into many a homemade item.

Even someone who has been sewing for more than thirty years, can use a little guidance and learn new tricks. That is when I did the iSew courses Beginners Next Step and Intermediate Course with Mascha. A good teacher with a bucket load of patience will give any seamstress the confidence to sew with happiness.

I endeavour to be that teacher.

Julie teaches in Table View

About the iSEW
Sewing Studio