MINI PROFILE
My earliest memory of sewing was making a pillowcase using a gifted sewing machine. I remember figuring it out on my own and the wonder at creating something from a flat piece of fabric. It wasn’t until A levels that I discovered Textiles and then went on to do a Costume and Special Effects degree at The London College of Fashion, that I really started loving sewing. Sewing has such a therapeutic effect and the super power of being able to create almost anything you want with your own hands is completely addictive! I think that’s why I really love teaching other people bag making.
Bags feel like such a tricky thing to make. But, when you discover that underneath all that structure is a few techniques that once you master you can make so many wonderful creations. You also don’t need to make it fit anyone or alter any patterns to create from a generic pattern and you don’t need as much fabric too!
Going back a little I feel very lucky to have over 20 years of special effects costume making under my belt to pull up when I need to figure out a new pattern. I was lucky to work on some amazing productions including helping to create Iggle Piggle for In The Night Garden, The Batsuit for Batman Begins and Chewbacca for The Force Awakens. I loved working in the film industry but having a young family and the long hours of on set life don’t go well together. So, in 2011 I started Studio 7t7 as a side gig with the idea that it would fill in the gaps between films. I started out making resin buttons and went onto leather hair accessories before making handmade toys. They became really popular and I have sent my handsewn playmats all over the world which makes me really proud.
After a while people started asking me how to sew the playmats and
