About Us

Ingrid Johnstone

Ingrid has 38 years experience in garment technology. She was trained in fashion and manufacturing at Bradford university. Formally the Design and Technical Director of a UK based tailoring company for over 20 years, my background is in design, pattern cutting and garment construction, producing clothes in Europe, the Far East and Asia, for top end high street retailers such as Jigsaw, Lk Bennett, Paul Smith, Joules, Next, Hobbs and many more. I decided to take early retirement during lockdown, and have a complete change in career, becoming a sewing and pattern cutting tutor.

Ingrid said " Sewing and pattern cutting is my passion, being able to pass on my knowledge and experience to other other people is an absolute pleasure. It’s great for peoples health and well being, while giving them a chance to meet and make new friends who are interested in sewing and crafting, it’s a very social activity. We are hoping for all age groups to come and start their sewing adventure with us."

Janice Thornton

Janice has been sewing all her life. She learned dressmaking and garment construction at her mothers knee, whilst being taught hand needle craft by her Auntie Annie. She said, "these two extraordinary women showed me how to love sewing and be confident that I could develop new skills."

Whilst at school I learned the discipline to follow a pattern, different sewing techniques and how to use them with different fabrics. "Mrs Culpan was a strict taskmaster, for which I will always be grateful."

As a teen, Janice taught people how to use their new sewing machines and make the most of them. She also worked in the fabric department at Sunwin House.

Janice has taught people how to make their own home wares, such as aprons and oven gloves, run banner making groups for local causes, passed on her skills in her youth work and made her sons wedding quilt.

She said, "I am delighted that we have been able to open the new shop and sewing school. We have so many lovely customers, who each bring their own ideas about textiles and sewing."