The Roller Coaster Strut
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Hi Reader, My heart was pounding. I heard my name be announced. My turn. I skipped up the steps and took my place on the Stitch Stage at The Stitch Festival beside the compere. I was one of 10 finalists for the Stitch Festival's Dressmaking Competition in the recycled category. My entry was my Scrappy Red Dress, made entirely from fabric scraps from previous projects. I took up my rehearsed 'model' pose while she read out my bio. Gosh, had I written that much?! Then finally, she finished and indicated I could do my catwalk! I strutted to the front to applause, as instructed, posed to the left, remembered I was supposed to count to 3 before posing the right. Count...2... um, that feels about right! Turned and strutted off. Forgot to turn and wave when I reached the back of the stage and skipped off down the steps. It was like coming off a roller coaster. Terrifying yet strangely exhilarating! But here's the best part: even though I didn't take home the top prize, being a finalist was a win in itself. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase my Scrappy Red Dress, connect with fellow stitchers, and be part of a community that celebrates creativity and sustainability. And who knows? Maybe next year, I'll be back on that stage, strutting my stuff once again! IN-PERSON CLASSESGet ready to sew your way to happiness! My sewing classes are buzzing with excitement, and it's no surprise - who doesn't love creating something amazing with their own hands? The bun fight for places in my Tuesday and Wednesday evening classes has been intense (Sunbury Wednesday evening class was sold out by 10:30 am on the day when bookings opened - wow!), so don't delay if you're thinking of joining me for some in-person dressmaking fun. If you live within an hour of Guildford or Reading, grab your spot today before they're all gone!
SEW BEE YOURSELF ONLINE SEWING CLUB UPDATE!This month, we're all about mastering the cozy: sweatshirt tops! Who doesn't love a good sweatshirt? But let's be real, sewing with sweatshirting can be a real challenge. That's why we're diving in and tackling those pesky cuffs, hems, and seams together! Join me on Friday, 11 April from 2pm to 5pm for our next online sewing session. My virtual sewing room will be open, and I'll be on hand to answer all your burning questions, decipher those tricky pattern instructions, and help you nail the perfect fit. It's like having your own personal sewing coach (me!) at your fingertips! And the best part? As a member of Sew Bee Yourself, you get access to a growing library of garments and sewing techniques for just £35 per month. It's like having a never-ending supply of sewing wisdom and inspiration at your fingertips! So, what are you waiting for? Join the club and let's get sewing (and sweating) together! Click the button for full details and to join.
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Vee Tanner
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Hi Reader, Bookings are open for all my Surrey based courses, but you need to be quick as places do go quick. FIND A SURREY SEWING CLASS WITH VEE And if you're in or near Reading, then here's the link to book on to a sewing class at Reading College INTRODUCTION TO SEWING AT READING COLLEGE (MONDAY'S) GARMENT SEWING AT READING COLLEGE (TUESDAY'S) And if you can't wait until September and want to hone your sewing skills over the summer then join me at Reading Sewing Bee where I'm teaching a...
Hi Reader, I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t find anything. I’d been digging for children’s clothes patterns from the 1940s—surely they existed? But the search kept coming up short. Then it clicked. Of course. READ THE FULL STORY During WWII, fashion barely shifted. Rationing, shortages, and utility over novelty meant styles held steady—and innovation was more about clever mending than creating something new. That led me to a slim book from the library—Make Do and Mend, a reprint of...
Hi Reader, As creatives, we're often guilty of taking on too much. We get caught up in the excitement of new projects, the thrill of social media, and the pressure to constantly produce content. But sometimes, it's essential to take a step back and reassess our priorities. For me, that moment came recently when I realised I was spreading myself too thin. Between teaching in-person classes, working at Chiltern Open Air Museum, costuming for Big Fish, running Sew Bee Yourself, fitting in family...