Finding My Stitching Time: The Reality of the Nursery Settle-In (and Being a Mumpreneur)

Hey everyone, and welcome back to the corner of the internet where threads, love, and a whole lot of caffeine come together.

Its been a while since I've done a blog post or have any real time to make the edits i need to the website; lets just say my life has been a whirlwind over the past year!

If you’ve ordered a personalised blanket, a hand-embroidered hoop, or a custom gift from my shop recently, there’s something you should know: you have officially helped a single mum survive the toddler years.

For the longest time, my business looked like this: editing and starting designs while the kettle boiled, stitching under the glow of a phone screen during contact naps, and packing orders on the living room floor at 2:00 am. Being self-employed is a wild ride on its own. Doing it as a solo parent? That’s a whole different level of extreme multitasking.

But this year, everything changed. My little one started nursery.

The Reality of the "Settle-In"

I won't lie—I had grand visions of skipping out of the nursery gates on day one, ready to conquer my to-do list. The reality? It’s been a bit of a bumpy ride. It turns out my tiny, chaotic assistant missed her mum just a little too much, and she spent the first few sessions navigating the tears and triumphs of the settling-in period.

Instead of full, uninterrupted days at my desk, it's been a cycle of short sessions, reassuring cuddles, and building up her confidence. For years, she’s been right by my side while I sort embroidery threads and pack orders. Realising she has to do this part without me is a big adjustment for her—and honestly, for me too.

But even with the shorter, staggered hours as she gets used to it, the house has had glimpses of total silence. And in those quiet moments, I've had a hot cup of tea and a proper chance to focus. Its very strange when she's not around as she's always by my side. But she absolutely loves nursery now and is learning new things everyday!

What This New Routine Actually Means for the Shop

People often think being your own boss means you get to choose your own hours. In reality, it usually means you work all the hours. Up until now, I’ve been fitting a full-time business into the cracks of motherhood.

As we both get used to this new routine and she settles into her nursery days, things are shifting in the best way possible. Here is what this new chapter means for this little shop:

Faster Turnaround Times: Personalised gifts take time, precision, and patience. With dedicated hours during the day, I can get your beautiful orders stitched, packed, and posted much faster than before.

New, Creative Designs: When you're running on two hours of sleep and a prayer, creativity can run a bit dry. I finally have the brain space to design new embroidery collections and expand our handmade gift range! I've even had time to learn the art of crochet and knitting which will be featured in some new products!

Better Customer Care: I can answer your emails and custom request messages during the day, rather than replying at midnight when my brain is half-asleep.

Thank You for Supporting the Dream

"When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance."

It’s a cheesy saying, but it is 100% the truth in this house. Every single order placed here doesn’t just buy premium materials; it buys nursery shoes, groceries, and a future for my little girl. It allows me to be the present mum I want to be, while building a career I am incredibly proud of. For her.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. I can't wait to show you what I’m working on next!

Want to see what I’m stitching today? Head over to our the product pages to see the latest handmade pieces, or follow our daily behind-the-scenes chaos on Facebook & IG @rebelneedleworks 

Lots of love

Kim (& the little) x