When did you first start sewing and how did you learn?
I first started sewing when I left university. It was at the hight of the neon fashion phase and I just couldn't find what I wanted in the shops. I bought a cheap sewing machine, a couple of patterns and some fabric. Without looking for any further instructions from the pattern I made a couple of outfits which I was so proud of at the time (I would cringe at them now!)
My skills started to improve when I signed up for a beginners dress making class at my local haberdashery and discovered the online sewing community.
Can you remember the first thing you made?
My first dress was a cotton dress with a wrap bodice, shoulder straps and an A-line skirt. I used a bright blue tie-dye fabric which hid a number of stitching issues but couldn't hide the poor fit in some areas!
Do you have any favourite pattern designers or celebrity sewers?
I tend to favour independent pattern designers. I don't have a favourite but there are a large number of Sewaholic patterns in my stash.
What's your sewing room like and how do you organize your stash?
I'm lucky to have a large combined kitchen and dining room with an island. I tend to use the dining room table for cutting and the island for my sewing machine. I also have space to put up our giant ironing board in the room which means I'm never more than four steps away from each piece of equipment!
What music/podcasts/TV shows do you love to stitch along to?
I tend to listen to podcasts and having been favouring While She Naps, Seamwork Radio, Blogtacular and The Guilty Feminist recently.
Do you do any other crafts and what are your hobbies?
Most of my other crafts include a needle and thread! I've recently taken up free motion embroidery and English Paper Piecing. I also love a bit of cross stitch. Other hobbies include running and growing fruit and vegetables since moving into our house.
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