Norwich Sewcials

Meet Emma and Pippa, the creators of Norwich Sewcials

What is it about your making skill that makes you enjoy it so much?

Pippa: To be able to create something just for me or to pass on the skills so another may be able to do the same.

Emma: Being able to create anything you want – and more importantly making it fit your own body.

 

What does it mean to you personally and the way you live your life?

Pippa: It feeds my creative side and acts as a kind of mindfulness when I can allow myself to create something individual.

Emma: It has given me a sense of community, a feeling of being useful and has done wonders for my mental health

 

What has been your greatest making achievement?

Pippa: To create the wedding dresses of my friends. Bringing their dreams into reality.

Emma: Tough question. I would say a knitted pigeon however in terms of dressmaking I think it is yet to come…

 

What is your favourite piece of equipment and why?

Pippa: My Pfaff sewing machine. It helps me create without fuss. Also, good scissors

Emma: An elastic threader! Its just a stick with a hole in but it is ridiculously useful.

 

What is your favourite making website or blog and why?

Pippa: There are many. The Foldline for good all-round style and pattern inspiration.  Cashmerette for curve fitting advice and information. Tilly and the Buttons is good for the beginner sewist. Crafty Clyde and The fabric Wrangler are the sites of Emma and myself who also blog to share the sewing love.

Emma: I really like watching sewing vlogs as well on YouTube – nice creative inspiration to listen to in the background. I agree that Tilly and the Buttons is a brilliant place to start if you are a beginner.

 

Why do you like being part of the Festival?

Pippa: It’s nice to see what everyone else is doing and meeting a variety of people that may share an interest.

Emma: I love the happy buzz and being surrounded by complete creativity, seeing something new and hearing people’s stories.

 

What is your advice to a complete beginner who wants to have a go at your craft?

Pippa: Make a start with something simple. Choose a well-behaved fabric such as a cotton and a pattern without too many pieces. This will be quick to make up and easy to work with. Leading to less frustration and more joy. Also don’t kill your enthusiasm by expecting the first few things to be perfect and fit first time around. We lose a lot of joy by looking too closely at our first few makes. Try not to rush through things. Allowing yourself to take time making something will lead to a better result in the long term. Most of all, enjoy the journey. Consider what each piece will teach you and don’t berate yourself for choosing the easy option every so often.

Here endeth today’s sermon

Emma: Just do it. Remember there’s no such thing as perfect and there’s plenty of help out there if you get stuck 😊