When did you first start making anything and what was it ?
Have you always been interested in crafts ?
What of your interest in fabric & fashion?
About 3 or 4 years old - it was a 'teddy bear' for my sister.
Have you always been interested in crafts ?
Yes ... I grew up in West London in the early 1950s (with wartime 'Make-Do-and-Mend' still flourishing) - 'crafty' relatives would show me 'how to do it'.
What was your first textile craft ?
Possibly FRENCH KNITTING … aged about 6 to make some dressing gown cords for presents.
When did you start to knit & crochet ?
Between 6 or 7 ... I remember making things like egg-cosies and scarves (as gifts for Christmas or birthdays) - often using large wooden needles.
Why did you start to sew ?
Soon after starting to knit, I realised that individual pieces needed joining together in some way - at first with a crochet hook but soon found a sewing needle easier!
Why did you begin embroidery ?
When did you first use a sewing machine ?At school (around 8 or 9), making gym bags and aprons was a suggested needlework exercise - worked on blue, red or green gingham fabric.
I think about 10, just before going to secondary school. The first machine was a black hand-turned Singer.
What of your interest in fabric & fashion?
I began with making dolls clothes (patterns above) & when almost 11, an entry in a local craft competition with ‘highly commended’, formed the idea of becoming a fashion designer!