Hello there,
Welcome to Sew Chic and Unique, since you are on this page you probably want to know a little more about me. So make yourself at home, relax and enjoy.
My name is Mayya Al Said, I am a single mother, a self taught sewist turned entrepreneur with a passion to inspire. My mum is French and my father is Omani, i currently reside in Oman which is in the Middle East.
In case you are wondering what’s around my head well that is a headscarf and i wear it because i am a Muslim you can read all about {my hijab story}.
You are probably wondering how my journey all began. The funny thing is never in a million years did i imagine i would be doing what i am doing today hehe who knew that i would be so passionate about sewing?!
See the thing is, in 1989 i joined the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra as a violinist. At the age of 8 i was the youngest musician and it became my full time job until 2003 when i resigned.
I inherited my love of craftiness from my grandmother, aunts and mum. I have memories of my summer holidays in the south of France, being taught how to cross stitch and hand sew by my aunts. Must admit though that at the time wasn’t really into it all. However i didn’t have much choice since there wasn’t really much to do in the little town where my family comes from.
In June 2003 i got married and in 2005 became a mother to Hadeel (7 yrs) and her sister Dania (5 yrs) was born in 2008.
I feel so blessed to be a mother my girls are my pride and joy and i cant imagine my life without them. Meet them in person by watching this video we recorded last year, which makes me laugh each time i watch it.
When i became a mother i decided to stay home and look after my daughters full time. As much as i enjoyed being home with them, the girls got older i found myself getting bored at home. I couldn’t go back to my previous job for personal reasons and was not sure what to do next.
I would browse the web for signs to help me figure out what to do with my life, and i got it when i stumbled across Heather Bailey’s blog. She is the inspiration i needed as she was everything i wanted to be and more. A mother who runs her own business! I knew that she was able to do it then so would i.
With that dose of inspiration on the 18th of October 2008 i started my first blog daily dose of me where it would serve as an online diary to keep track of my sewing progress. I taught myself how to sew by reading blogs and following their tutorials. Little did i know that people would be interested in buying items that i enjoyed making!! In July 2009 i started my own business called Sew Chic and Unique .
In SCU you will find pretty yet practical items just as handbag organizers business card holders, book marks, DSLR camera strap covers which are all made by me. Not to mention cute pincushions made by my mum.
However even though i had my own website i only sold my items at exhibitions and crafts fairs, due to some problems. My ultimate goal was to launch my shop online and my dream finally came true in happen on the 12th of December 2011.
The continuous support i get from the community is unbelievable, i feel so blessed. I was featured in several magazines including The Week, HI, Y and The Woman.
Unfortunately i had to close my shop down back in May 2011 as i was going through a tough time in my personal life, read about it here.
Until i re-launch my online shop i will continue to blog about sewing (tutorials and what i make), inspiring others to never give up on their dreams.
I love hearing from you so feel free to drop me an email at mayya [at] sewchicandunique [dot] com or send me an email via my contact page.
You can find me on {Facebook} {YouTube} {Twitter} {Instagram} {Pinterest}
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hi! thank you for visiting my blog
I’m excited to see your sewing creations! how neat that we have so much in common! I just started sewing a couple months ago without any classes, but I have any guidance I need from my mother (who used to costume!) and sewing group (so I’m very lucky) not to mention Burdastyle 
Have fun learning! It’s so addicting once you get started, but so worth it!
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Thank you Mayya for introducing yourself and sharing your Omani heritage. It’s great to meet another mom who, like me, is starting a business. You are such an inspiration in that though we reside in different parts of the world, we are similar in that we both have a desire to stay home and raise our children and start a business.
Let’s definitely keep in touch and learn from each other!
Best Regards,
LeNesha
Thanks for coming by my site, I would love to see some of your creations.
When ever you have questions about how to make your home more cozy and comfortable —I would be happy to help. My site is a great resource or just e-mail me.
Warmest regards,
Angela
My husband has been to Dubai on business. He said it was very ritzy–fancy. Nice to get to know you better.
@ LeNesha
I would love to keep in touch and help each other on being a WAHM
@ Angela
Thank you for your offer i might take you on that
@ Organizing Mommy
Yes Dubai is indeed known for the ritzy-fancy. Oman is not so fancy one will only be able to tell the difference when they visit.
Thank you ladies for dropping by
Hi, nice to meet you! Now I don’t feel alone, blogging from the Middle East!
I love your site. Keep it up !
This may sound strange, but patterns are not expensive, I would love to send you a few, even if they take a while to get to you.
Mc Calls will be on sale next week for a dollar. Please send me and email.
I really like your about, it explains all one needs to know about you and your work, I am a potter, so different from what you do but never the less I am inspired by you. Good luck and all the best
I love the sewing rooms for the homes they are so inviting.
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I have three exams tomorrow, and yet I’m here, because your light makes me smile
Mashallah <3
Hi Mamati,
This is quite inspiring. I am a working mother and just decided to start sewing this month with no experience at all. I do hope to get some tips here.
Salaam 3leikom, I have seen some of your videos on YouTube and like them very much, you’re very inspiring mashaAllah, I’m looking forward to reading your blog too
Noora´s last [type] ..BBC Documentary: American Muslim: Freedom, Faith, Fear – Part 1
Masha’allah
may ALLAH bless you , je vous aime beaucoup et j’aime beaucoup ce que vous faites bonne chance 
en fait j’aime aussi créer je ss encore étudiante en architecture d’interieur et jaime aussi la couture et je voulais toujours avoir un blog comme le tien Iam too lazy 
, but once i saw you videos i feel mpressed and i gave me a motivation to go on in my life and hobbies, je te remercie énormement, gros bisou Salam alikum
Hi Mamati, I wonder if you can help me. I love doing craft, particularly Needle Felting. I would love to learn how to use a sewing machine and make cushions and things for my 3 daugthers. I have twins that are 4 and a 6 year older and they love all things that are pretty and pink!
Can you give advice on what machine to buy and books to learn. Is there a sewing machine class here in Oman. Have you heard of pinterest.com. It is a fab website for adding your ideas to and getting ideas from too. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks Mia
Assalamualaikum..
Hi mayya..first of all. Subhanallah..you look so much younger..i cant believe that you already be a mother for two daughter,seriously dear. oh ya.. i’m from Malaysia. have you heard about Wardina Saffiyah?both of you are really alike, dear. both are beautiful. am so glad that i’ve jumped into your hijab tutorial. then getting to know you.
All the best for you and your family. May Allah bless you all the way.
ekin´s last [type] ..tiga puluh lima
Salam mayya! Greetings from Malaysia. bad english. Found you here after sneaking off around in the youtube lil bit about wearing hijab in chic style. BTW, LOVE YOUR EYEBROW!! so thick, so black. and you mashaallah..so beautiful. Never thought you married woman bcoz your looks so young. Hey, more chic tutorials okay! inspiration to college. haha
All the best mayya. Looking forward to the re launch
Al salamo alikom mayya, your girls are soooooo cute masha’allah. Stay strong!!!! I am a single mother myself. I have been following your blog and fb page for a long time now and even though I dont know you, I had the strong feeling that something was wrong last year. All the best and dont give up on your dreams!!!!! Franziska
salaam maya dearie..
How time flies…good to know more about you plus few new thing u add in here…my du’a will be with u in all u do..sew more! I need that booster to make me sew also..hehe
yan yahaya´s last [type] ..MyRa DaN TaSkA…
Hi Mayya. First of all, i admire your smile! I love doing craft, particularly Needle Felting. I would love to learn how to use an embroedery machine. can u advise pls
Thank you very much for your offer, i’ve sent you an email