Subscriber Profile; Rachel
I was so happy to send Rachel her one year subscriberversary gift in February and even happier that she is this month profile. Rachel has made some really stunning garments using her Luxury Box fabrics.
Tell us about your sewing journey. When and how did you start sewing?
As far back as I can remember I have enjoyed crafting and both my Mum and Grandmas sewed or knitted my clothes. Through watching them I was inspired to learn and received my first sewing machine at around 14yrs of age. I started sewing clothes soon after. Through my nurse training I kept up my hobby and in recent years started patchwork so the fat quarters in the boxes are a great addition to my stash. I am a matron of a busy nursing home, a job which can be both rewarding but stressful at times.
I also have a wonderfully busy family life with my husband, two children aged 22 and 17 and a dog. I really value my ‘me time’ though and sewing is so absorbing it’s a great way of unwinding. Over the last couple of years I have reignited my love of dressmaking and this is when I started exploring YouTube for tutorials and then discovered subscription boxes through Hayley’s vlog. I chose the luxury box because I love making and wearing dresses and wanted to ensure I had plenty of fabric and also because I wanted the monthly pattern included in this box.
You’ve been subscribed to the box for a year now do you have a favourite box?
I have liked all the boxes and the patterns but I think my favourite fabric has to be the ditsy floral lawn in the August 2019 box (Summer Meadow) as I love florals. I have made the Nina Lee ‘Carnaby Dress’ pattern from this box in a denim but decided to save the lawn for either a Sew Over It ‘Betty Dress’ or the Ready To Party dress by My Handmade Wardrobe – I have just made this pattern up using the silvery viscose that arrived along with the pattern in December’s box and wore it on New Year’s Eve.
What is the best thing about receiving a monthly box of sewing goodies?
I love the anticipation of the surprise each month, it’s my treat, I have it delivered to my work but never open it until the evening when I can sit quietly. It’s a great way to explore new patterns, some from designers I have not heard of or used before and try fabrics that I may not have previously thought of, subscribing has definitely pushed me to develop my sewing skills.
Do you have a favourite make from your subscription?
This would have to be between the Ready to Party dress and the Sew Over It ‘Eve’ dress that I made using the Atelier Brunette viscose from the February 2019 box. I wore the Eve dress out to dinner with my family to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary – I used French seams in both dresses which I pushed myself to try when using this viscose as it tends to fray – just one of the fab new techniques I have learned since receiving these boxes. I had not previously used viscose but it is now one of my favourite fabrics.
Are you working on anything at the moment?
I have just finished a Tilly and The Buttons Rosa Shirtdress in a gorgeous floral needlecord and am now planning on buying the By Hand London Hannah dress as I would like to make the full sleeve version using January’s See You At Six ‘Herbs’ rayon which is washed and ready to cut.
With the set of Xmas fat quarters included in December’s box I am planning a lap quilt for next Christmas when I have finished my English Paper Pieced ‘La Passacaglia’ quilt that I am currently working on.