Threads of Legacy

Threads of Legacy

My Role Model: My Grandmother

Before Made by CJ ever existed—before I understood what it meant to create with purpose—there was my grandmother, Sylvia Rempel.

She began sewing simply to provide for her family. What started at home, guided by necessity and care, slowly grew into something far greater. Through perseverance, creativity, and an unwavering work ethic, she built her own company, Sunice, which would go on to become the official outfitter for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

But her story has never been about recognition or success alone—it has always been about faithfulness.

Through every season of growth, challenge, and change, my grandmother’s trust in God remained her foundation. She believed that the gifts placed in her hands were meant to be stewarded well, and that her work—no matter how big or small—was ultimately done unto Him. Prayer, humility, and obedience quietly guided decisions that shaped decades of impact.

After selling the Sunice name, she didn’t walk away from sewing. Instead, she followed where God was leading her next.

Today, she runs Sewing Seeds Canada, a charity devoted to teaching sewing skills both at home and abroad. Through this work, she equips individuals with practical tools to create, earn a living, and restore dignity through craftsmanship. What once provided for her own family now empowers families around the world.

This is the legacy that shaped me.

I grew up watching fabric become garments, workplaces become communities, and skill become service. I learned that sewing is more than a trade—it’s a way to love others, to work honestly, and to trust that God can multiply what is offered with willing hands.

Every piece I create today carries her influence. Every stitch is rooted in the belief that purpose matters more than trends, and that work done with integrity can ripple far beyond what we see.

This brand exists because of her faith, her courage, and her obedience.
And every stitch is my way of saying thank you.