Introducing Gemma and Laura

I’m am super excited to be introducing you all to Gemma and Laura who will be making regular appearances both here and in the magazines that I include in my Subscription Boxes

I put a call out through my newsletter that I was looking for a new contributor to help me with the magazine and both these ladies jumped out at me amongst my emails.

Laura has herself been a subscriber to the boxes and won the Make of the Month a few months back. She loved writing an article about it and wanted to do more. Gemma is a screenprinter and illustrator running her own business and loves to crafts. They both sent me a few pictures and I loved their different styles so I decided to choose them both – why not?! It will be fun to showcase the same fabrics used in different ways and for different styles.

So, without further ado, let’s meet the girls!

Gemma ginger_doodlesdesigns

First garment you made?

A Tilly and The Buttons Clemence skirt from her book ‘Love at First Stitch’ – it was a super easy pattern to start with and gives you such confidence as a beginner when you’ve produced a decent skirt!

Favourite fabric to work with?

It has to be cotton. It comes in so many forms (lawn, sketch etc). The possibilities of what you can create are vast. I’m a big fan of colour and print, and cotton lends itself well to being available in so many different kinds that my inner print magpie is very happy! It sews easily and presses well, so what’s not to love about it!

Go-to pattern?

It has to be the True Bias Ogden Cami – I have quite a few! It’s an amazing pattern – simple and quick to sew, can be great for using up leftover fabric and is my favourite kind of garment to wear, as I love strappy tops. It can be made casual or dressy depending on what kind of fabric you use – a flawless pattern if you ask me!

Sewing machine?

I currently have a Silvercrest that my other half brought me a few years ago – it’s my first machine and will always have a place in my heart! It’s not automated, but does have lots of fancy stitches – not that I’ve used most of them!

Sewing snacks?

I’m a biscuit person when it comes to sewing – can’t have messy snacks that might get on the fabric! Got to be old school biscuit vibes too, will usually have Party Rings on the table, or sometimes a Jammie Dodger.

Sewing entertainment?

I’m a big fan of listening to podcasts while sewing – I find that sometimes I’m not focused enough to watch TV so miss huge chunks and have no idea what’s going on! But podcasts are perfect, I can focus solely on the sewing, and will get through quite a few in a sewing session. I particularly love True Crime podcasts.

Where do you sew?

I wish I could say a fancy kitted out sewing room, but my sewing space actually doubles up as my living room (in that order he he!) I don’t have a lot of space and so when not sewing it all gets put away, however I did invest in a long table to sew on and that has been a godsend – when it comes to cutting out and having lots of pattern pieces it’s so much easier than the living room floor!

Laura laurapop90

First garment you made?

My first garment was the Penny Dress from Sew Over It made with stunning Lady McElroy Cobra Corsage cotton lawn. Unfortunately I don’t get much wear out of it as its not very practical for every day, but it feels so special when I do!

Favourite fabric to work with?

Now that I’ve dipped my toe into the world of stretch (thanks Tilly!) it’s got to be jersey.

Go-to pattern?

London by Selkie Patterns. It’s so versatile and just gorgeous.

Sewing machine?

At the moment I have a Brother HC14, although I am hoping to upgrade soon.

Sewing snacks?

I am rather partial to Jam and Cream biscuits.

Sewing entertainment?

Music. I have tried watching TV and podcasts but I am too easily distracted.

Where do you sew?

I have commandeered the orangery; it’s so lovely being able to see out into the garden whilst I sew. Plus being at the back of the house means I can blast Abba without care!