Row one, from left to right: The Etta Dress in Provence Stripe Block Print Cotton; The Honey in Teacup Check linen styled with The Heroine Jeans; a new shirt in development in Swim Meet Block Print Cotton styled with The Strides from The Workbook made in Toast 260 Linen.
Row two, from left to right: The Miller Waistcoat in Milk 185 Linen styled with The Shepherd Skirt in White Crinkle Cotton; The Harlene Dungarees in Ecru Denim styled with The Trapeze Top in Sweet Pea Cross Stitch; The Etta Dress in Sommen linen.
1. How long have you been sewing? Has it been a constant or has there been ebbs and flows?
I grew up sewing – my mum was a textiles teacher, so I was constantly surrounded by fabric. She was brilliant at encouraging our creativity and would always set us up with sewing projects. I studied textiles design at university and had the best time, but I wasn’t really making clothes for myself. I think it was during lockdown I picked it back up again. I had a lot of spare time and not much money so I would see clothes in shops and think, I could make that myself. Then obviously being surrounded by beautiful cloth at work and inspiring colleagues it’s hard not to want to sew.
2. How do ideas for new projects take shape, the cloth, the pattern, something you’ve seen elsewhere?
Mostly I will see things on Instagram – either something someone else has made or ready to wear and I want to recreate it but then also a new cloth will come in and I think ‘what can I make?’
3. Is there an outfit or project that you think really encapsulates your personal style?
I think I chop and change with my style. I think oh I want to be quite minimal and classic but then I will see a really fun bright stripe fabric come in and I can’t resist it. I think being a mum I just want to make getting dressed as easy as possible so making things that go well with different items in your wardrobe is a winner!
4. Is there a new cloth at work that is inspiring you?
It’s not new but Chatou Rust linen – this is one of those fabrics which I think it’s maybe a bit bold for me – but I just love the colours and the scale of the check so I’m currently making a hack of the All State shirt by adding a gathered skirt to it.
5. Why do you sew?
I sew because I love to have a project to work on, I can’t sit still for 2 minutes. It’s a great way to keep my hands busy and of course it’s aways nice when someone complements you on something you are wearing, and you can say ‘I made it’. It’s also nice to feel like you are not wearing the same thing as everyone else. I think fashion can feel a bit samey with everyone following the same trends. So being able to make something truly unique always makes you feel a bit special.
6. Do you have a project list for the next few months you’d like to share?
Oh the list is always endless… I have been thinking about a pair of Juno’s but shortened so they are like Bermuda shorts and maybe a matching Miller. Before the summer is out I want to make another trapeze dress in Knapsack – super easy to just throw on when it’s warm.
