Fortune favours the brave.
I have dreamt of starting a crafting and sewing business on and off for years but was just not that brave. I have a steady job in the travel trade and very much enjoy the industry and the colleagues I work with. The thought of giving it up is just scary. It then dawned on me that actually I can do both of the things I love.
Since we moved house in 2016, we have had a spare room doing nothing but a horde for junk. You know what I mean – a bit of sports gear, an old sound system, my mother-in-laws old furniture and various other buts of past life paraphernalia. Two yeas ago I thought “Enough of this, I’m going to turn it into a sewing room.” I had kept my son’s old Ikea homework desk which was now obsolete; computers and art equipment require a much larger work space. It worked perfectly for my sewing machine. An old painted pine cupboard was given a revamp with white chalke paint, as was a dresser top I purchased second hand. Both worked brilliantly for storing away my sewing nicknacks, patterns and haberdashery items. Another white cabinet was purchased locally second hand and lastly a Fortnum and Mason’s hamper basket, previously used for toy storage, become home to my fabric horde. I was thrilled with my sunny sanctuary, tucked away to concentrate on making lovely things.
I started with making decorated pack away shopping bags. They were easy to make and sold to a few to friends and gave some as presents. Next I saw a great pattern for a dog doorstop and made this for our draughty banging ensuite door. I also had a friend commission one for her mother-in-laws new home.
life became busy with work and family, and sewing took a backseat. I had an Esty shop open to sell the bags and various items but it wasn’t working so I took the decision to close the shop with the idea to review it at a later stage.
It wasn’t until last year that I had time to dedicate to my sewing again. As with a lot of people in the first lockdown, my husband found himself having to work from home and needing an office. My sewing room was commandeered and I moved out in to our guest room. Although a much larger room, there was a kingsize bed in it so space to work was limited. Eventually I managed to persuade my husband that we could change the large bed to a single guest bed with a pull out bed underneath. I very rarely buy new furniture when I know there is so much good quality items to be found secondhand. I have been upcycling furniture since I bought my first flat and had no spare money. Now its part of being kinder to the environment that I purchase second hand items and I found what I was looking for on Facebook Marketplace. With everything moved over to the new room I now have a another sunny, calm space to think, create and sew.
Most days I can’t wait to finish my job working at the computer downstairs and get upstairs to my sewing room and complete the latest project I’m working on. In the last year my sewing skills have grown so much and I braved new projects that I would have never previously tackled.
I have a passion for sewing and hope to pass this to you by showing the items I have made, how and where I received my inspiration, where to shop for the fabrics and lots of helpful hints.
Be brave, take the plunge and follow the dream.
Take care
Terri
Jay Dog Designs 