Lindsey Learns to Sew: road testing our new TUNIC DRESS course and joining in with MeMadeMay

Pretty pretty tunic tops

Any of the Ministry of Craft team will tell you I'm a horrible dress maker. Well, maybe they won't tell you that. But if you ask '...and is Lindsey good at sewing as well?' then they'll probably smile and stifle a snigger behind their hand. On one of my first visits to the Ministry studios at Fred Aldous I 'helped out' at one of the sewing courses by burning a huge iron mark into one of the new ironing board covers. I lack confidence with dress making and pattern following, and don't even know what an overlocker is. I do have a (very 1960s) sewing machine and I love it with all my heart, but I do NOT know what all the twiddly knobs do and I haven't a clue about 'tension'.

I nearly cut the 'dart' out of the fabric

So obviously I was THE best person to road test our new TUNIC DRESS course! Alison Leese (one of our expert tutors) is a dressmaking genius. She drew up this pattern so that it can be made by our customers in just a day, and they can adapt it to make either a tunic top or dress. Two weeks ago I went over to her house at 8pm sharp to get started. I took my chosen fabric (the fox pattern we used for the original sample was so cute I bought it for myself in a lovely mustard colour), and braced myself for making a right hash of it in front of my colleague. 

Alison updating her course notes

The great thing about Alison, as many of you will know, is that she's very quick but very patient. She helped me to cut my pattern pieces (and just managed to stop me from cutting out a huge hole where there wasn't supposed to be one). I pinned the first pieces together and started sewing as instructed on her lovely Janome sewing machine. So far, so straightforward! And then we talked about sleeves. And how you have to 'ease' a sleeve into an arm hole which is essentially too small for it. At that point I felt a little nauseous.

Selfie going straight on Instagram

But I watched Alison demonstrate what needed to happen and had a go. I needed to unpick a little of the stitching around the shoulder where it puckered but otherwise it eased in beautifully. The difference between trying to figure this stuff out for yourself, and being shown one to one, is immeasurable.

So very proud

After overlocking all the internal seams (an overlocker has a blade! It cuts and stitches), adding a little under-stitching to the neck line and finishing the very neatly pressed hems, it was COMPLETE! In one evening, and with the help of a very patient teacher, I had made my first EVER wearable garment. And I love it.

Boom! Awesome tunic dress no. 2.

I posted the results of my labours on Facebook / Instagram / Twitter and was rewarded with compliments and a big virtual pat on the back. I also discovered the MeMadeMay project, where  people challenge themselves to wear only clothing they have made themselves throughout the month of May. I knew I couldn't do this everyday (although it was tempting never to take off the fox tunic) but I wanted to get on board. So I made another tunic, this time in tartan, and this time all by myself. And here are the photos to prove it! If you would like to make a similar tunic dress or top then sign up for our next course which is on Saturday 30 August. The preceding two courses sold out in record time, so don't delay!
I'm now a sewing convert and you can track my future projects and makes on social media using the #LindseyLearns hashtag. I can't recommend this course highly enough. Expect to see an explosion of tunic wearers in the North West of England. And next May: we'll be ready!

Meet our talented tutors - Sam Sterken - Sewing & Lampshade making

Introducing...

Probably the lady who needs no introduction: Sam Sterken is the founder of Ministry of Craft. Sam set up Ministry five years ago from her kitchen table and hasn't looked back. She's a 'Jill' of all crafts and is regularly asked to contribute to magazines and even TV shows as an oracle of all things crafty.

My latest make from the Great British Sewing Bee Book

What first drew you to your craft ?

Macramé of all things! My mum and Dad ran a sweet shop when I was seven and there was a craft shop next door. I use to spend a lot of time in there looking at big wooden beads and messing with string. I’ve meddled in lots of different crafts ever since.

What’s your crafting background?

I got into dressmaking when I was a teenager using my Mum’s hand wound vintage Singer, and at the same time set up a shop at school selling bangles made with food colouring and aquarium tubing! As you can tell I’m a bit of a craft butterfly and like to flit between projects. I got into sewing more seriously while I lived in New Zealand as part of a world trip, with my now husband. I did two brilliant night classes that reignited my passion for sewing. I like to create practical, useful things now for my family and friends and, if I have the time, do a bit of dressmaking. I’ll try my hand at anything though. This week's project has been painting a gilded frame to make a mirror for my bathroom and sewing myself a T-shirt style top.

Did you train professionally or are you self taught?

I’m mainly self taught although I have been on quite a few adult education courses and local short courses. I'm also pretty proud that from my own lack of skills the idea for Ministry of Craft came about. I've learned loads of new skills from our tutors and it's great that we have now brought craft into so many other peoples lives.

One of my favourite pastimes

What are your main sources of inspiration?

I love flicking through craft books and magazines. I have folders full of ideas and inspiration that one day will end up in neatly organised scrapbooks! I’ve started to browse online more, but I usually have an idea then back it up with an online tutorial.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?

My mum, because she’s a fantastic knitter and, although she didn’t do lots of sewing when I was young, she’ll turn her hand to anything! She also a fanatical charity shopper and that is one of my favourite pastimes too. 

I have to say my husband as well! He didn’t flinch when I said I wanted to set up Ministry of Craft, leaving a good job behind. He has been a sounding board for me in all areas of the running the business, as well as being the Ministry of Craft photographer and IT department!

A grown up Wigwam!

What’s the best thing about being a crafter?

The first is being able to make things you wouldn’t be able to buy and the second is that it is such and enjoyable process (even if things go wrong). One of my favourite feelings is looking at something and thinking ‘I made that’.

Do you do any other crafts in your spare time, apart from what you specialise in?

I’m really into painting at the moment and went on an Annie Sloan painting course recently. I enjoy decoupage because it’s quick and easy and can be done in front of the telly. I’m afraid to say I’m not a knitter – much to my mum’s disappointment. My patience won’t stretch to completing anything knitted!

What’s you’re the best thing you’ve ever made?

The perfect dress in an American postcard print

My ‘40’s style dress, which I made at night school in New Zealand. I spent a whole Friday evening sewing on the button bar only to find the dress wouldn’t close when I put it on! It’s the first piece of handmade clothing that I have been truly proud of. I also made a teepee for a magazine commission last year, which is high up on my list too.

Have you ever made a creative mistake?

See above!

And your favourite tool or material?

It has to be fabric. I have a piece of printed silk from the 50’s that belonged to my Nana. I can’t make anything with it as I’m too frightened I’ll spoil it. I have a huge stash and this year’s challenge is to use what I have and not buy any more, which getting increasingly difficult.

What’s you favourite crafty story?

In the early days of Ministry I used to keep some of the equipment at home. One day I turned up to assist on a course only to find that my son, who was then a toddler, had taken all of the bobbins for the sewing machines out of my bag before I left for work. The tutor had to run back to her workshop to grab some more and luckily the course went ahead.

Where can we see / buy your work?

I don’t sell my work, but do teach Conquer your sewing machine, Tailor Made Lampshade and Beginners sewing: Snap frame purse

What have you got coming up in the future?

Hopefully a bit more time to sew as my daughter goes to school in September!

Meet our talented tutors - Lindsey Vigurs - Party Girl

 Introducing...

Lindsey Vigurs, our digital marketer and fancy fascinator-maker, joined the Ministry team last year. Lindsey is an illustrator by trade but enjoys a double life as a crafter of curious artifacts. As a self confessed 'terrible dressmaker' she is currently road-testing many of the Ministry courses, and bagging herself new skills (not to mention a new wardrobe of handmade garments) into the bargain!

A turning point in my life as a crafter

What first drew you to your craft ?
I got into craft through the renegade crafting movement: when craft got cool! This was largely due to buying a copy of Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book by Ziggy Hanaur and Victoria Woodcock. It was full of contemporary, quirky, fun and straightforward craft projects. It turns out that I'm a very enthusiastic crafter and a dab hand with a glue gun. I'm particularly drawn to upcycling projects, constructing new things out of old junk, and using a flash of neon spray-paint to update a tired vintage piece. As well as working behind the scenes at Ministry of Craft (social media, blogging etc!), I run regular hen parties making fabulous vintage-inspired fascinators.

What’s your crafting background?

I'm a freelance illustrator and graphic designer so I've been to Art School (hence my confidence with a glue gun) and I have a Masters Degree in printmaking. I love drawing and creating work for clients but crafting became a way of letting off steam and doing something totally different, whilst still being creative. When I moved to Manchester in 2006 I organised a local Arts & Craft Market as part of the excellent Chorlton Arts Festival. The market runs as part of the festival every year now and I'm glad that I played my part in setting it up. I sold my work at craft fairs for a couple of years but I'm much happier crafting for fun and running the parties at Ministry!

My new, handmade tunic dress in fox pattern fabric

Did you train professionally or are you self taught?

I got an excellent all round creative education at Art College; learning ceramics alongside drawing, creating sculptures and learning how to develop my own photographs. So I guess I have a good grasp of the basics but I'm currently making my way through the whole catalogue of Ministry courses! I've been on KNIT 123 and KNIT 456 already this year as my knitting skills were non existent. My sewing skills are also pretty shabby so I've just tested out our brand new SEW YOUR OWN TUNIC DRESS course. I did good and I have worn the dress for three days in a row. I may never take it off. You can follow my progress on twitter and instagram using the #lindseylearns hashtag.

What are your main sources of inspiration?
Instagram and Pinterest have changed my life. Seriously. The access to inspirational material is so constant that it's almost suffocating. But even when I'm visually and virtually exhausted I still find that connecting with a wonderful network of creative people from around the world totally lights my fire. I have been collaborating with a number of fellow artists recently and it has pushed my work in unusual and exciting directions.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?

My lovely parents have always been super supportive, even when I was making very weird, creepy puppets as part of my degree course. And one of my Uni lecturers, the excellent illustrator Mick Marston, encouraged me to keep doing what I was doing (again, despite the creepy puppet episode). Craft-wise I'd have to say that Sam Sterken, founder of Ministry of Craft, has shown me how valuable and rewarding it is to pass on your own skills and passions to other people. Very cool.

Northern Quarter knitting

What’s the best thing about being a crafter?
Crafting is COOL! I love sitting in a Northern Quarter coffee shop (particularly Fig + Sparrow) or bar (particularly Common) and taking out my knitting / sketch book / glue gun. People are interested but not phased by the modern crafter, you can do it wherever and whenever. Crafting is eminently sociable and portable, and so much more rewarding than staying at home watching TV. Unless it's the Great British Sewing Bee. Obvs.

Transforming vintage Staffordshire pottery

Do you do any other crafts in your spare time, apart from what you specialise in?

I suppose my speciality is really creating prints and illustrations. But I'll turn my hand to almost anything: lampshade making, metal stamping, upcycling vintage staffordshire pottery is a real passion too. I'm from Stoke-on-Trent and can't walk past that shelf of random household items in a charity shop until I've checked the bottoms of all the ceramic plates and cups. If it's made in Staffordshire then it's mine! I like to give them a facelift by cutting stencils from my own illustrations and spray painting them in bright colours. You get a bit of the vintage decoration peeping through: I love that mixture of super modern and secondhand chic.

My cat print for Beau Loves is in the shops now!

What’s the best thing you’ve ever made?

I've been collaborating with the amazing Beau LOves kid's wear label for the past two years, creating illustrations and patterns to be printed onto their clothing. The collections have been very popular and have recently been taken on by Selfridges in London and Barney's in New York. It's a real thrill to see kids walking round wearing my prints, and following the buzz about them on social media. I'd buy the clothing myself if they made them in adult sizes!

Have you ever made a creative mistake?

Oh goodness yes. Where to begin. Did I mention the puppets? I've had numerous injuries from making lino prints- some crafts are just downright dangerous. But that's why we love them!

And your favourite tool or material?

Ink. I just love love love printing, be it stamping with a home made wine cork stamp, or screen printing on my kitchen table. After that it would be the glue gun.

What’s you favourite crafty story?
I really enjoyed my colleague Alison's confession that, whilst helping one of our customers with the stuffing of their patchwork pouf, a plaster came off her finger and was sewn up into the finished pouf. She only realised after the course had finished! Eww!

A happy hen with her finished fascinator

Where can we see / buy your work?

You can check out my illustration work at lindseyvigurs.co.uk or facebook.com/lindseyvigursillustration. I have a store on Society6 and you can buy lovely, locally made iPhone skins featuring my designs at Carvd. And if you want to see just how deft I am with a glue gun you'll have to book a fancy fascinator party with Ministry of Craft. You shan't regret it!
What have you got coming up in the future?

More collaborations with fellow artists in Manchester and hopefully a move towards getting some dedicated studio space where I can make a huge mess (and glue gun at will with gay abandon). We've also got some big projects coming up at Ministry too, such as appearing at Wayne Hemmingway's Vintage By the Sea Festival in September. It's going to be a busy year and I couldn't be happier!

You can find Lindsey at www.lindseyvigurs.co.uk and follow her across the social mediasphere: facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, tumblr

Meet our talented tutors - Michelle Dady - Jewellery making

Introducing...

 Michelle Dady, our fimo and shrink plastic jewellery tutor, is a key member of the Ministry family. She can teach you how to make wearable trinkets from your favourite book illustrations, or Fimo treats which look good enough to eat.

What first drew you to your craft ?  

I have always had an interest in different types of craft as a hobby, so I began making jewellery from Fimo as a way to pass winter evenings that didn’t involve TV or the internet.

What’s your crafting background?   

I have been crafting since a child, but making and selling Jelly Button for the past few years. My skills have progressed to learning more complex skills at University for the past 3 years.

Did you train professionally or are you self taught?  

 I am mainly self taught, however I have learnt silversmithing techniques and gained more knowledge of resin/clay/acrylic from University.

What are your main sources of inspiration?   

I am inspired by anything overly sweet and kitsch, and hope to educe a sense of nostalgia for all older customers missing the fun of being a child.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?   

My Grandad inspires me daily, he has crafting skills I could only dream of possessing. I am however from a family full of creators so I have to say the rest of them are an influence too.

What’s the best thing about being a crafter? 

Being able to do what is essentially an enjoyable hobby as a full time job.

Do you do any other crafts in your spare time, apart from what you specialise in?   

I like to try a bit of everything, at the moment I am however trying to improve my felt plushie and dress making skills.

What’s you’re the best thing you’ve ever made?   

The sense of accomplishment from when I made my first piece of sterling silver Jewellery was amazing.  To know you have created a piece that will stand the test of time and still be wearable in decades is very rewarding.

Have you ever made a creative mistake? 

Mistakes are a daily occurrence, for me this is the best way of learning what works for you.

And your favourite tool or material? 

The versatility of Fimo makes it one of my favourite materials, however I do love my micro torch used for soldering precious metals – maybe I’m a secret pyromaniac.

Where can we see / buy your work? 

I sell online at www.jellybuttonjewellery.co.uk and throughout smaller boutiques in the UK and worldwide.

What have you got coming up in the future? 

 I hope to graduate within the next few months and then I will be focusing on developing my sterling silver range.

You can find Michelle at www.jellybuttonjewellery.co.uk or follow her on

Twitter @jellybuttonj, facebook jellybuttonjewellery or read her blog  www.underthecherryrainbow.blogspot.co.uk

Meet our talented tutors - Cara Codd - Resin Jewellery

Introducing...

What first drew you to your craft ?

I remember being taught to cross-stitch, sew and crochet by Mrs. Byrne at primary school. Growing up during 1970/80s, eldest of 5 girls, money was tight so we often used to make Christmas cards, and  my mum and aunties were always knitting for babies and sewing hideously embarrassing matching outfits (sorry mum), for us to wear on family days out.  I used to watch my maternal granddad carving stone in his workshop and my uncles were stonemasons, so the creativity must have rubbed off somewhere. 

When I was 9-10 I used to love going to my friends house to play, as her dad had a really huge workshop with tools galore. We used to make canoes for our Sindy Dolls, carving wood out of thick tree branches. I definitely think my obsession with manual tools came from those activities.

 

What’s your crafting background?

I really started to show an aptitude for art in my teenage years. I wasn’t very academic, but loved all forms of art & craft and decided I wanted a career in that area. I studied Fine Art at Uni, obsessed with painting & sculpture. Although due to lack of finances, my friends and I used to have crafting evenings. Settled with pints of Pina Colada we would work for hours making family Christmas cards and presents, months before Christmas.  After education, I worked for over 11 years in museum, gallery & community art education. Although not having much opportunity to paint or sculpt, I was always making cards with little Fimo brooches and necklaces on which I used to sell to work colleagues.  I realised early on in my formal education, although I loved creating art, I really wanted to pass on my knowledge and help others discover their own passion and skills through creative activity.  Teaching arts & crafts through informal workshops was an ideal route for me to take.  

Life happens, but passions remain and after having my two children, and recovering from serious illness, I wanted a way to get back to making, which would fit in with my recovery and family life, that wasn’t costly and pretty much portable. So I started card making, crocheting and then jewellery making. My interests are evolving all the time. 

Although not a trained jewellery maker, I am an avid researcher, I collect crafting books and constantly research on YouTube and the internet and go to craft exhibitions and market to improve and develop my techniques and interests. I believe in lifelong learning and that we can learn from many different resources at any age. Although learning from each other is so important, passing down inter-generational skills is vital to carry on traditional crafts and skills from old to young.

What are your main sources of inspiration?

Everything around me inspires me.  I love flicking through arts, crafts, design & architecture books and the life changing internet, I use it as a 24/7 library of ideas and inspiration. I am inspired by the other artists and crafters I meet through craft events and Lo-fi, the creativity and skills other local makers have astounds me. The craft community in the North West is fabulous.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?

Corny I know, but my hubby Steve. He is so very extremely hardworking, supportive and clever. Without his emotional & financial support though the good and bad times, I couldn’t do what I love. Also he is a brilliant and inventive maker himself, without any arts background, can create amazing furniture and vintage scooters from bits that everyone else throws away.  He sees possibilities in everything.

What’s the best thing about being a crafter? 

I don’t label myself a painter, a sculptor, a jeweler, I make using the tools and materials I have at hand. Some items are functional, some are pretty, but I can take my skills, tools and materials anywhere, I have even been known to make jewellery, whilst camping. I love the fact that my children are amazed at what I can make and then they start their own crafting.

Do you do any other crafts in your spare time, apart from what you specialise in?

Yes, crocheting, Knitting, making hair accessories, upcycling homewares & furniture, cardmaking, mosaics, woodwork. You name it I want to have a go.

What’s you’re the best thing you’ve ever made?

I am never completely happy with everything I make as I am learning as I go, but I am most happy with a Silver Vintage Vespa lapel pin I made for my hubby, as he doesn’t usually wear jewellery, but wears this on every scooter rally he attends. I am happiest making one-off pieces that are personal to the wearer.

Have you ever made a creative mistake?

Oh loads. I will continue to make them as, this is how we improve.

And your favourite tool or material?

My soldering torch and piercing saw. Although I have a brand new rolling mill, which I have not used yet and am very excited about.

What’s you favourite crafty anecdote / story?

None, I have a terrible memory!

Where can we see / buy your work

I am a member of Manchester Craft Mafia; I usually have a stall at their craft fairs. I also have some items for sale in Grumpy in the City, Brazenose Street, Manchester. Also have a look at my website or Etsy Shop @StampedMetalGifts.

What have you got coming up in the future?

I am concentrating on vintage cutlery, metalsmith and personalised jewellery and also creating some upcycled homewares in partnership with my hubby.

You can buy Cara's wares at Etsy - www.etsy.com/uk/shop/StampedMetalGifts

or follow her on social media at twitter: @caracoddartist, facebook: www.facebook.com/caracoddartist or on her blog Blog: http://ccartist.weebly.com/blog.html

Meet our talented tutors - Racheal Gwilliam of Artyarn - Knitting and crochet

Introducing...

Rachael Gwilliam of Artyarn, who's been heading up our knitting and crochet courses now since 2009. After we stumbled across the 'knitted shed' - see below- nearly 5 years ago, Rachael has taught more willing customers to knit and crochet than we can count.

Shes' a master of the needles and hook, full of creative va-va-voom and her patient, almost one-to-one teaching style gains her some of the highest praise any tutor has received.

We're looking forward to the wooly knitting and crochet starting up again in the autumn, but in the meantime she'll be teaching our customer how to knit jewellery with wire! She's that good...

What first drew you to your craft ?

The first time round it was because my mum would sit and knit at home .. but she'd never finish anything off! I was about 7 and would knot the yarn up almost immediately after mum had fixed my mistakes!

I tried and failed and left it alone for many years. I did enjoy a bit of embroidery at Brownies though. The second time round, at about the age of about 25 - the 'stitch n bitch' phenomenon was just kicking off and I wanted a bit of the action!

What’s your crafting background?

I went to art school and studied painting and drawing, not having much interested in textiles at all. As far as my knitting and crochet skills are concerned I'm completely self taught (with maybe a little one or two nudges from mum and friends who could knit).

I started a knitting club in 2007 as a way to learn more and bring crafters in my local area together - I was living in central Salford at the time and used my local boozer as the venue.

Shortly after becoming very obsessive over knitting I started a small business called ArtYarn, putting my art school knowledge and training in the mix to create art installation and creative workshops. I've since been commissioned by galleries, Museums and creative institutions world wide to create knitting and crochet projects.

What are your main sources of inspiration? 

Nature and my love of drawing. I there are very close connections between my drawing works and how I knit and crochet my projects. I also look at fine needle work, especially in crochet and tatting, from the arts and crafts movement, as I'm quite fond of intricate doily patterns.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far? 

Professionally, a few key artists have really inspired me- mainly Magda Sayeg in the early days when I would indulge in a bit of Yarn Bombing. I also love the work of Elaine Bradford, Suzie McMurray and Kate Mcguire.

Personally and professionally, the people who gave me my first teaching jobs, including Sam at Ministry of Craft. The opportunity to teach regularly in a professional environment has meant that I've had to really perfect my skills in both my crafts and in my teaching style. This has given my tremendous confidence , which I was seriously lacking in 5 years ago.

What’s the best thing about being a crafter?
Being able to teach others about your craft and to share crafting skills, which I have always done since becoming freelance.

Do you do any other crafts in your spare time, apart from what you specialize in?
I draw, I'm a fanatical drawer. I also like to do some embroidery.

What’s you’re the best thing you’ve ever made?
A jumper for a garden shed.

Have you ever made a creative mistake?
All the time. Its how you learn, and therefore how you progress on with your work.

And your favourite tool or material?
4mm basic metal crochet hook and come cotton yarn. I like to keep things basic and let the stitches do the magic.

What’s you favourite crafty anecdote / story?
I tried to knit with two pints of beer once. It didn’t work out.

Where can we see / buy your work? 
At either www.artyarn.org or www.rachaelelwell.co.uk

What have you got coming up in the future? 

More knitting and crochet courses at ministry of craft, with brand new courses in crochet and knitting socks! The launch of my online shop.

You can find Rachael all over social media (!): on Twitter @artyarn on facebook.com/artyarn and her revered yarn based blog - artyarnblog.tumblr.com

Meet our talented tutors - Sarah Humphreys - Patchwork and quilting

Introducing...

Sarah Humphreys, our patchwork and quilting guru, who lives and breathes her craft. We're lucky to have such an expert on board and even more lucky that Sarah just so happens to be super lovely and very cool to boot! She's as bright and vibrant as the quilts she makes, with ever changing hair colour (blue the last time I saw her), and she sets every one of our customers at ease with her patience and quilt-side manner. You can take a number of classes with Sarah at Ministry of Craft although you'd do well to book in advance as they regularly sell out!
 

What first drew you to your craft?

In 1991 I went to see Gillian Clarke talk about a quilt she had made depicting women’s work in the Middle Ages.  I went because I was interested in women’s history.  And I came away excited about the wonderful quilts I had seen – as well as charmed by the talented, welcoming women who made them.  I started my first quilt soon afterwards, and I’ve been making quilts ever since.

What’s your crafting background?

I come from a crafting family – and I have crafted for as long as I can remember.  My mother, aunt and grandmother would encourage embroidery, sewing, knitting, papercraft – any craft you can think of.  The worst thing you could say in my family was that you were bored – there was always something to do.

Did you train professionally as a quilter or are you self taught?

I didn’t train professionally as a quilter – nor am I entirely self-taught.  Over the years I have attended evening classes, local quilt groups, workshops and quilting retreats to learn and develop my skills.  Of course the internet is an amazing resource – and I love to buy and read patchwork books.  Mainly though I have learnt from being around other quilt-makers – quilters are amazingly generous when it comes to sharing skills and ideas. 

What are your main sources of inspiration?

Other quilters.  From international quilt shows to ‘show and tell’ at my local quilt group, there is always more to see, admire and learn from.  I am a member of the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles and the conference and AGM is one of the highlights of my crafting year – I attend lectures, view exhibitions and spend time with some of the most talented and diverse quilters in the country.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?

My mum.  She encouraged me to go to that first talk and we have quilted together ever since.   We have travelled all over the UK together to attend shows, conferences and workshops.  She is always supportive of my work – and lets me raid her craft room when I’m short of the right bit of fabric. 

What’s the best thing about being a crafter?

Spending time with other people who love the same things you love.  The quilting world is predominantly women and it is amazing to spend time with women of all ages, learning and sharing skills with each other.  Positive female relationships have been really important in my quilting history – I have met women who I may otherwise never have even spoken to and they have become really good friends.

Do you do any other crafts in your spare time, apart from what you specialize in?

I enjoy cross stitch and free embroidery.  Sometimes I make cards and have done a bit of scrap-booking. Occasionally I make clothes.  I dabble but I always come back to quilts. 

What’s you’re the best thing you’ve ever made?

It depends who you ask!!  I have two modern sampler quilts in the living room which my husband loves.  He can often be found tucked up with a quilt and the cat on the sofa watching late-night cricket or early morning Grand Prix.  My best friend loves her wedding quilt - she requested ‘sky blue and sunshine yellow’ - not colours I tend to use but we were both delighted with the end result.  My personal favourite is ‘Frank’ – a wall hanging I made last year depicting Frankenstein’s monster.  He hangs in my house like a family portrait!!

We'd love a Frank in our lounge!

Have you ever made a creative mistake?

Who hasn’t?!  In fact, if there’s a mistake that can be made I’ve made it.  And I’m still making mistakes – but that’s part of learning.

And your favourite tool or material?

I have a pair of Fiskars scissors which I am particularly attached to.  They have a non-stick coating which makes them easy to keep clean.  I use them on anything and they seem to stay sharp – and they are just the right size for me.

I’m also really into interesting threads for quilting.  I love Superior threads as they produce a great range of different colours and weights.  I use their bobbin fill ‘Bottom Line’ almost all of the time in my sewing machine.  And I adore the vivid shades of their ‘Nature Colors’ polyester thread – I use a lot of this for free machine quilting.

What’s you favourite crafty anecdote / story?

I love to see learners’ work displayed in quilt shows – I teach adults and young quilters and it’s always exciting to see their quilts on show.  My ‘claim to fame’ is that one of my young quilter’s wall hangings – along with young lady herself – was visible on the tv show Kirstie’s Handmade Britain.  I was so excited when I saw it!!

Halloween style quilting!

Where can we see / buy your work?

You can see my work on my website www.edwardandthewhitebear.co.uk.  I also use my blog to show lots of work done in my classes both at Ministry of Craft and other venues. 

What have you got coming up in the future?

I’m really excited to be expanding my teaching as I love helping other people to discover the world of quilt making which has been my passion for so long.  I have regular classes now in Leeds and Doncaster as well as at Ministry of Craft.  This year I’m teaching four workshops at Festival of Quilts at the NEC.  And in October I’m running the first ever Edward and the White Bear quilting retreat with my mum – we can’t wait!!

You can follow Sarah and find out more about her quilting adventures on twitter @EandTWB or by following her blog www.edwardandthewhitebear.co.uk