"Anaiya made this!"
This is what my dad would say in response to those curious about where his custom clothing pieces came from. On the occasions that my work has been displayed, I haven’t always been present to introduce myself.
My Story
My name is Anaiya. I am a seamstress born, raised, and based in Sacramento, California. My interest in sewing began at a young age when I watched my grandmother use a small sewing kit to repair her clothing. Inspired by her, I started hand-stitching and experimenting by cutting up my own clothes to practice creating my own designs. Naturally, my mother was not pleased with me cutting clothing items she had purchased, which led me to step away from creating my own pieces. However, I would still repair my parents’ work clothes from time to time. Eventually, I realized that hand-stitching was not efficient, and I stepped away from sewing altogether, losing my passion for it for a period of time.
In 2019, during my second year of college, I was pursuing a path toward a career in the medical field. My older sister, who was serving in the Army at the time, had a sewing machine that she would use on her uniforms. When she no longer had the need for this machine, she decided to pass it on to me. Receiving that machine reignited my passion for sewing. I took a break from school and used that time to reconnect with my creativity.
In 2020, I used the COVID-19 lockdowns as an opportunity to further develop my sewing skills. As I improved, I also discovered a growing interest in business. In 2021, I continued my education while working toward turning my passion into a career. During this time, I created several pieces for my biggest supporter, my dad. He proudly shared my work with others, which led to inquiries for sewing services. Due to time constraints, I was unable to accept those opportunities, as my primary focus was completing my education.
In the spring of 2025, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento. This accomplishment marked an important milestone in my journey and provided me with the foundation to pursue my work professionally. With each piece I created for my dad during the journey, he expressed pride in the growth of my talent. It’s one thing to find joy in wearing pieces I’ve made for myself, but it’s another to see that same joy in someone else after sharing my talent. That joy inspires me to share my work with others.
My Mission
Being able to sew your own clothing requires great investment. That investment includes time, money, and labor. With this, I’ve learned firsthand why it is not as common as it once was. Today’s fast-paced lifestyles and the rise of fast fashion make it difficult for people to create their own pieces. I have faced those same challenges in finding time to sew for myself, but it has never taken away from my passion for the craft. I want others to feel that same joy I find in being able to express yourself in unique articles of clothing. Through Anaiya Made This, I hope to share that same sense of pride and happiness with others by offering my skills and creating meaningful, thoughtfully made pieces.