Always it is the colour that attracts me to a fabric first. As I am very tactile person I then have to play with it a while and often I can do a few rounds of the store and keep coming back to particular fabrics for another feel. Once I know that I'm 'in love' with a piece I take it home and put it up on the dummy until inspiration for its perfect style comes.

My first sewing lessons were embroidery and I still love the fine details it brings and the opportunity to add colour to the project.

My first sewing lessons were embroidery and I still love the fine details it brings and the opportunity to add colour to the project.

I have quilted on and off for about 20 years now and made mostly traditional pattered quilts. Love to learn all the tis, tricks, and short cuts. My favourite quilt is always the one I am currently working on!

As an Insider I am addicted to watching and learning from these videos. If I won the entire set (dare to dream) I would be able to share them with the wonderful women in my sewing group. Awesome!

The two greatest influences on my sewing passion are my Mother and her Mother. My Grandmother sewed out of necessity for her family and for others to supplement income during the great depression. Mum sewed for us as kids and later for others. It seems to me that a lot of what I learned was through "osmosis" as the sewing room was my bedroom.They were both patient and competent teachers and I was making my own clothing by age 13. There are two other influencing factors, one being that by the time I got to High School and took home ec. I knew more than the sewing teacher did so other students came to me for help.I took out the year prize for sewing and textiles 3 years consecutively. The other factor is having worked for someone else for 25 years. Enough! I am about to launch my new career as a professional dressmaker and be my own boss. Wish me luck.
HEN.