Subscriber Profile; Jane
Every month I get to chat to one of my amazing subscribers to find out more about them, their sewing journey and what they love about their SewHayleyJane box. In July it was the turn of Jane @escape_to_the_sewing_room
Tell us about your sewing journey. When and how did you start sewing?
I’ve always been interested in crafting and I remember attempting to make clothes on my mum’s old sewing machine when I was a teenager, but it wasn’t cool to make your own clothes at that age! When my children were young, I did a lot of card making and cross stitch and taught myself to knit. For a few years I ran a small business making sock monkeys, but my work life balance suffered, and it was no longer a pleasure to sew.
A chance meeting with a friend of a friend in 2018 got me into dressmaking in a big way! Jo Baker aka @sewjo.baker runs sewing classes in my local area and after a lot of chat about all things crafty, I booked myself onto one of her classes to make a dressing gown. That reignited my love for sewing, and I haven’t looked back since. I lost my enthusiasm at the beginning of the first lockdown but sewing scrubs soon got me back on track and I realised that there were a lot of patterns that needed my attention and I’ve been on a roll ever since!
You have been subscribed to the Classic box on and off since October 2019, what made you want to sign up?
I had seen the SewHayleyJane boxes on Instagram and loved the idea of trying out different fabrics. Being fairly new to sewing at that point, I was picking the same types of fabrics to work with and wanted a challenge. Although I have to say some of the trickier ones have yet to be used but my confidence is growing, and they are destined to become something wonderful in the future!
Do you have a favourite box since you started your subscription?
My favourite box so far has been the ‘Pattern Party’ from March. I loved the pink colour-way of the geometric viscose and knew I wanted to make a dress for work, so I chose the Selkie Patterns ‘London Dress’. The fabric was lovely to work with and feels beautiful to wear. The ‘Love Yourself Revolution’ labels included in the box were fantastic too!
What is the best thing about receiving a monthly box of sewing goodies?
I love getting a surprise in the post once a month and when I start to see images on Instagram about the boxes being received the excitement builds. The first thing I do is get the fabric in the washing machine then I go through the rest of the box. I am making an EPP quilt at the moment (a very long-standing project!) so, the fat quarters come in handy, and the sweet treat is always welcome!
Do you have a favourite make from your subscription?
My favourite make would have to be my latest one which is the ‘Stevie Dress’ by Sew La Di Da Vintage. The fabric is from the ‘Wild Side’ box which came out in May and is a gorgeous blue animal print viscose. The pattern called for 3m of fabric but with a little pattern Tetris I managed to get the dress out of 2.5m. It was a really straight forward sew and I am delighted with the finished dress!
Are you working on anything at the moment?
I am currently working on a dress to wear to my husbands 50th birthday party which (all being well) is taking place at the end of July. It is the McCalls M7745, a floaty dress with a high/low hem which I’m making in a red viscose with white flowers. It has a lot of ruffles so I think it will require quite a bit of patience.