Meet the maker

In a dark, dusty loft in a sleepy Lincolnshire village

sat a tired, old sewing machine. I’d long forgotten

it was up there.

I’d ended up in the corporate world, and after more

than 20 years was as tired and conked out

as the afore-mentioned machine.

Under the Christmas tree one year, was a

sparkly new sewing machine wrapped in a pretty

bow with a tag made out to me.

But what to make? Where could I find inspiration?

I didn’t have long to wait, as a few weeks

later along came a bouncing baby niece. I set about

busily making bibs and booties. My sister cried.

At the risk of sounding cliché, that feeling of giving

something which I’d created with great care and

love was like no other, and I found

it infectious.

My passion for sewing was back after patiently

waiting for me in the dark, collecting dust. My feed

was now full of sewing inspo. There were growing

piles of fabric around the house and we were

finding thread literally everywhere!

I’m attracted to colour, pattern and texture, and

have already amassed an impressive fabric stash. I

audition every fabric before it’s made up - they all get callbacks.

When I’m not sat at my machine, I’m sharing ideas

for new makes with family over steaming mugs of

tea or browsing designer remnants to join my

star-studded cast.