Happy New Year! I hope that you have all had a fantastic time with friends and family over the holiday season and are now ready for a happy, safe and healthy 2025. I have never really been one for New Year resolutions - I guess I just don’t want to set myself up to fail! Challenges, however, are a whole different ball game, and this year I will be attempting to overcome a few.
I absolutely LOVE a design challenge. Last year I was challenged to make a bag for the 2024 Paris Olympics. I had to use fabrics and materials from my sewing supplies and make a ‘showstopper’ bag. I started designing during the opening ceremony and had it completed by the end of the games. It was such a fun challenge and it made me think really creatively to create something truly unique. I received so much support and encouragement from so many people as I documented the process on social media. Having people are watching and waiting for the next stage certainly keeps the motivation going! The photo below is of the finished bag, and I will be taking part in a similar challenges again this year. I would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions for themes or events which I could use for inspiration.
This year’s challenge
I generally work with paper and pencil to draft new designs and patterns which I then pass over to my daughter to seamlessly conjure up a digital version. But in 2025, things are going to change! Learning a new skill can be daunting, but I am determined to learn the process and create digital patterns for my designs. I already have so many designs which I have sketched out and want to make, so the challenge for me now is to transfer these into digital pattern pieces. Once I have got to grips with this I will be asking for pattern testers to make and trial the patterns before they are offered for sale, so if this is something that appeals to you and you would like to be a part of, watch out for our application form over the coming weeks.
Helping you reach your sewing goals
It’s important to me to grow a community of people who love to sew and craft, and this is something I will be focusing on this year. Through Substack I hope to bring like-minded people of all ages and backgrounds together to share their enjoyment in all things creative. Being part of a community allows us to share ideas, seek advice and encourage others, as well as ourselves, to achieve our goals. As you are reading this it means that you are already on board - thank you! If you know anyone who you feel would like to be part of this creative journey, please reach out and let them know where to sign up - we would love to have them on board!
I am currently working on compiling a bank of tutorials for basic sewing skills to share with you. Simple, straightforward instructions on a wide range of techniques from mitred corners to the witchcraft of an invisible zip! Isolating a technique and working through it in a methodical way really helped me to perfect the skill and is a fantastic confidence boost. If there are any techniques you would like me to create a clear step-by-step tutorial for, please reply to this email and I will do my best to make it happen.
So, a busy time lies ahead, and I cannot wait to get started!
Happy sewing,
Suzanne, Charlotte and Rebecca