Sew Local: connecting Hawaii to out-of-state college students and creating reminders to perpetuate local values
Overview
Sew Local aims to perpetuate local values by designing fabrics, sewing handmade lifestyle accessories, and repurposing aloha wear.
All designs are inspired by a story and local value Jazmyne, owner of Sew Local, learned during her childhood on Maui
Sew Local tailors all designs and accessories to infuse a sense of home into the hearts of any local gal, pua picker, or hunneh girl.
About Jazmyne
How it started
Aloha! My name is Jazmyne, or Jaz for short, the owner of Sew Local LLC and a Maui girl through and through. I picked up sewing as a small hobby in March 2020 to cure my short-term boredom. However, as I continued to sew and jam out to my fav NIKI and Taylor Swift bops, sewing became my dose of happiness and a creative outlet. From sewing a bucket hat, to a “menu” of accessories, upcycling old clothes, and repurposing aloha wear, my simple cure for boredom grew to one of my greatest passions and small biz.
Along with sewing, another one of my passions is creative media--graphic design, videography, photography, and storytelling. In 6th grade I joined my school’s media club and was instantly hooked by the boundless creativity and initiative to create anything and everything.
My media journey ranged from interning with PBS in Arizona, competing in national and state media video contests, staying til 10pm documenting Maui High’s robotics team, designing for Native Hawaiian fashion brands, and creating random designs just for funsies; I wouldn’t have wanted my journey any other way.
Through these experiences, creative media became my vessel to make my values, thoughts, and style understandable to a vast audience.
As high school graduation became the present, the inevitable decision of either staying in Hawaii or moving away to the mainland finally arrived. It took me months to decide, but in the end, my deep-rooted values of community, diversity, and optimism guided my decision to further my education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where I embarked on my journey towards earning a BBA in marketing.
However, not all of my classmates made the same choice. Many of them were drawn to mainland universities by scholarships, job opportunities, and a broader range of career prospects. While they did not want to leave home, the mainland offered a clearer path in achieving their goals. Watching my classmates set off, I couldn't help but picture the mix of excitement and uncertainty they must have been feeling as they ventured into a whole new environment, adjusting to calling a dorm room "home," and adapting to unfamiliar social norms.
My main concern was that they might lose touch with Hawaii and forget about the incredible community that had been cheering them on in their pursuit of their dreams.
My worries became my fuel to create Sew Local. I pour my heart into crafting every fabric and sewing each product, always with the idea of how my fellow Hawaii girls can effortlessly infuse a touch of local love into their everyday attire.
Through these accessories, I hope they serve as a reminder to hold onto the wonderful values of Hawaii and that all the local gals are representing Hawaii no matter where they are.
In Hawaii, there's a prioritization and constant sense of community here, everyone is eager to get to know, help, and support one another. Growing up in Hawaii is a true blessing because the values and mindset fostered by its close-knit community are absolutely priceless.
I am so thankful for everyone’s support from the beginnings of Jaz.mix to where I am
taking it now. I hope you follow along
and become a part of this journey
with me.
with love,
Jaz
Let customers speak for us
Super cute and original, got so many compliments. Love the cut as well
charlene holm
Lei of Love- White Puakenikeni Tank Top
so cute, i have already washed it a couple of times and it has not shrinked!!
If you are bigger horizontally it can be a bit tight for some but it is long! highly reccomend looks exactly like the pictures!
Keilani Salas
Lei of Love- Sage Green Puakenikeni Crewneck Graphic Tee
Me and my niece love these tops super cute and good material!
Tiana-rose Naki
Lei of Love- Beige Plumeria Crewneck Graphic Tee
10/10
My new go to baby tee! So cute and comfy. I typically wear a M so that's what I ordered. It was a little snug but it's perfect so I don't have to wear a bra! I wear this all the time! Will be buying 50 more lol
S.H.
Lei of Love- Black Puakenikeni Cropped Baby Tee
favvvvv
literally OBSESSED, to say the least!! i love the thought and care that goes into each order. the tee is so soft & the design is so detailed & i love having a little piece of home with me :)
Samantha Della
Lei of Love- Black Puakenikeni Cropped Baby Tee
Absolutely love!!
so so soft, will be buying more💓 I love the different colors to choose from.
Kamaka Frasco
Lei of Love- Sage Green Puakenikeni Full Length Baby Tee
OBSESSED.
I absolutely adore this lei of love- White Plumeria Tank Top. I got a size medium and it fit me so perfect. So cute for going out or makes a cute casual fit top. I will be purchasing in the future. 10/10⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
C.
Lei of Love- White Plumeria Tank Top
Review on tote bag
SO CUTE!! i’m so happy i’m able to support a local business who does such an amazing job with their products. i got the puakenikeni pocket tote and it’s such a great size, cute color, pattern, and overall something i can bring wherever i go. i will definitely be buying from sew local hawaii again!
Izabella Yim
Puakenikeni - Keni Pocket Tote Bag
U’i designs
I love the shirt so much, especially since lei making is one of top hobbies. This shirt is the perfect presentation of lei making for me. It’s such a cute shirt!
Customer
Lei of Love- Black Puakenikeni Cropped Baby Tee
so cute and so comfy!
this truly the most perfect baby tee. the design is absolutely beautiful and so intricate. not to mention the material and fit of the baby tee is the best of any that i own. please do yourself a favor and buy this shirt!
Kate Nakamura
Lei of Love- Black Puakenikeni Full-Length Baby Tee
loveee
it’s so cute and good quality! not see through either
J.G.
Lei of Love- White Puakenikeni Cropped Baby Tee
Lei of love cropped tanks
LOVE LOVE LOVE MINE!! got it in white and black, they have become a staple in my closet <33
Taliah Jahnay Cabatu
Lei of Love- Black Puakenikeni Cropped Baby Tee
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!
I absolutely LOVE the baby tee! i got the last white baby tee at sunday market & now she’s my fav shirt! my sister & i have matching shirts now. 🫶🏽
Czerena Bayle
Lei of Love- White Puakenikeni Cropped Baby Tee
Black Lei of Love Cropped Baby Tee
Very cute very nice and very comfortable I love very much
A.A.
Lei of Love- Black Puakenikeni Cropped Baby Tee