Southern Mom Loves: New box! IndieStitch January 2023 Unboxing + a 50% Discount, Sewing Tips, & February Sneak Peek!

New box! IndieStitch January 2023 Unboxing + a 50% Discount, Sewing Tips, & February Sneak Peek!

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

I received a complimentary box from IndieStitch in order to facilitate an unboxing post. All opinions are my own. This post may contain some affiliate links. 


Hi, guys, I've got another new unboxing for you! This is the IndieStitch Box for January 2023. IndieStitch is a monthly box for apparel sewing enthusiasts that provides you with everything you need to complete the month's project, plus a few fun extras. Since all of the planning and shopping is done for you, it's a great way to be able to get down to the fun part. I've also got a fantastic discount code for you and some sewing tips! Let's unbox it!


Setting you up with everything you need, month after month, to sew your own clothes.

"Hi, I’m Amber! I created Indie Stitch so that you can make your own clothes even if your days are long and your hands are busy...Sewing your own clothes, choosing to create something with your hands, and the happiness that comes from wearing your new outfit feels incredible. It’s an accomplishment worth celebrating.

When I worked for boutique shops sewing clothes and bags, I realized something: it was easy and straightforward for me to finish those projects because all of the materials were sent to me. The thread matched, I had the right type and amount of fabric, and the patterns were printed and ready to go. All I needed to do was sit and sew."

That’s what makes IndieStitch so special. When you open up your box, you’ll have exactly what you need to get back to sewing for you.

Subscription Options


As you can see above, there are 12-month, 6-month, and 1-month plans and the cost goes down with the longer commitments. The "First Box" price shown above for the 12-month and 6-month plans includes a 30% discount, but I've got an even better discount code for you! 

How Does It Work?

When you sign up for IndieStitch, you'll provide your size range for the printed pattern that comes in your box every month. 

Once subscribed, you'll receive an email around the end of the month (28th - End of Month) to choose the fabric you want to use for the next month's pattern. The boxes ship out around the 4th of each month. You can choose to sew on your own using the video tutorials provided or join the Sew Along that happens in the IndieStitch Facebook group on the Monday around the 14th.

Your membership will renew for the next month from the 13th - 15th.

The next month's pattern is revealed on the Second Week of the Month on all social media channels (or here on my blog 😉) You can see some of their Past Boxes here.

January's Pattern & Fabric Choices

The pattern we're going to be making this month is the Flare Leggings by Greenstyle"This elegant flared legging is right on trend and provides beautiful balance to your silhouette."


  • 4 waistband options including cross-over V, straight V, standard contoured, and a fold-over yoga band
  • Full Length or Capri options
  • Petite, Standard, or Tall files are available for download


The fabric choices for this month were:

  • Olive Cotton Lycra - 95% Cotton - 5% Spandex
  • Shimmery Teal Athletic- 90% Polyester - 10% Spandex
  • Black Brushed Poly - 95% Polyester - 5% Spandex
  • Black Cotton Lycra - 95% Cotton - 5% Spandex 
  • Matte Navy Athletic - 82% Polyester - 18% Spandex
  • Hot Pink Cotton Lycra - 95% Cotton -5% Spandex

I chose the Black Cotton Lycra for more of a "lounge" feel than an "athletic" feel.



Your box comes with a card right on top that includes all of the pertinent information for the month including a code that you can use to download a digital version of the pattern. It gives you the current Sew Along dates and a QR code that takes you right to the video tutorial and resources for the month.


First out is our fabric. For this pattern, I received 2.25 yards of the Cotton Spandex Knit. They will send you enough fabric to make the most fabric-heavy version of the pattern in your specified size. It also gives us care instructions for pre-washing our fabric! Love that detail.


This fabric is buttery-soft.


Next out is a spool of matching thread. Not only is the color matched, but we're given the best type of thread for the project. For a stretch knit, we are sent this 100% poly thread that will stretch better than cotton. We are also given 2 Ball Point machine needles for sewing knits!


Next out is our paper pattern, the Flare Leggings by Greenstyle. It will come with all of the pattern pieces in your size range.


Next out is our first "extra", a Double End Lint Brush and a Microfiber Cleaning Cloth to help keep your sewing machine nice and clean. 


Last out is our 2nd "extra", a travel sewing kit! This thing is so darn cute!


I've been looking for a little kit that's a step up from the paper-wrapped hotel kit I used to travel with. This one even has a tiny pair of scissors! The section with the needles and buttons/snaps stands up and the thread holder pops out. The pins are stuck in a foam that doubles as a pin cushion and tweezers and a needle threader fit in alongside them. I can't count the number of times I squee'd as I was exploring this. I miss sewing, y'all!


So that was what is inside the IndieStitch January 2023 box. I have to say I love my leggings but I'm excited to be sewing something different. You could even alter the pattern to sew some wide-leg lounge pants that are more fitted at the waist and hips. That's the thing about sewing your own clothes; With a little know-how, anything is possible!


I absolutely love that they include everything you might need to just get down to sewing, including the correct fabric, thread, and needles for your machine. We also get a cool, indie pattern. This box is a treasure for home sewists!

SEWING TIPS

Since writing this unboxing, I've been working on this month's pattern and I thought of a few tips I'd like to share with y'all. This is nothing mind-blowing (maybe) but just little things I'd like to share that might resonate with you if you'll be working on this pattern, too.

1. If you want to be able to keep the paper pattern intact so that you can sew it up in other sizes in the future, you can trace just the size you're making right now onto pattern tracing paper.


If you don't have pattern tracing paper (or don't want to buy another sewing supply), you can use tissue paper for gift wrapping! It's inexpensive (you can get a big pack of 100 for around $5), ironable, comes in pretty wide pieces, behaves like a traditional pattern paper, and you can tape together multiple sheets for longer pattern pieces. If you tape them together with a paper tape like Masking tape, it's still ironable.

Don't forget to label the pieces and you can use them again and again.

2. Squaring up the grainline on a Knit Fabric: If you cut a knit off-grain it will twist and behave strangely on your finished piece. Finding the "grainline" on a knit is a PITA but can be done, you just have to find the vertical grain. Instead of looking at the cut edge, start in the middle.

First, fold the fabric with the selvages together. Grab the fabric on both sides around the mid-point of the length and let both ends drape down. Are they hanging straight or crooked?

To straighten: Keep ahold of the folded edge in the middle. Find the vertical rib right on the edge and secure the fold with a pin.

Start down one side, following that vertical rib and pinning the edge to keep the knit from shifting. Once you reach the end of your fabric, go back to the middle, following that vertical rib the other way, pinning the edge.


You have now secured the grainline and can smooth the whole of the knit out on your cutting surface!

Hope these tips help!

🛑 SPOILERS AHEAD! 🛑

So far we know that February's pattern will be The Valetta Top by Blank Slate Patterns!


The Valetta Top is an easy, breezy peasant shirt-inspired look. With its split front yoke, soft gathers, and dramatic high-low shirttail hem, this top is perfect for many occasions! 

  • Suitable for woven fabrics with good drape, such as rayon challis, cotton gauze, silk charmeuse, polyester crepe, etc.
  • Sleeveless or 3/4 length, gathered cuffs or sleeve bands 
  • Split front yoke with tassel ties
  • Gathered lower bodice
  • High-Low shirttail hem
  • Women's XXS-3X (bust 31-53")

This shirt is so pretty; I can't wait to see the fabric choices! I really like the bottom-left version below.


If you'd like to subscribe to IndieStitch Monthly Sewing Kits, you can get 30% off your first box on the 6- or 12-month plans, but the absolutely lovely owner offered something even better for my readers!

You can get 50% Off your first box on the 6- or 12-month plans with code SOUTHERNMOM50 here.


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What did you think of IndieStitch? Do you like the pattern for this month? What else would you like to make? I love to read your comments!


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