Introducing Becca, the creative force behind ‘Sew Mindful’ who has recently joined our creative community at The Fold
How has your career background led you to being a maker at The Fold?
I always loved sewing as a child, I made toys for my younger brother, and whole wardrobes for my teddies. I was making my own clothes from sixth form. I studied Architecture at University and then went into teaching at primary school level. I also taught a bit of art, and always had a side hustle of sewing and alterations in the background.
There has been a gradual build towards this, but through a redundancy followed by a cancer diagnosis and recovery, my mindset completely changed. I really wanted to just go for it and make this dream happen. I wanted to teach people to mend, re-use and alter clothes in line with my ethos of re-using, and repurposing scrap fabrics and just thinking more sustainably as well.
The whole studio has also been furnished second-hand, not bought new. I wanted it to be somewhere cosy, and friendly where people can just have a go. It’s as much about the process as the product. It’s important to me to teach people about fabrics too, how they’re made, educating about polyester, ‘bad and good’ fabrics, what to look for on labels and so on.
What do you like about being based at The Fold?
The people that choose to come here, I love the outlook and all the shared values we hold.
What are you most proud of in your artistic career, and why?
Completing my illustrated sewing calendar; it was something I had always wanted to do and whilst convalescing I was not able to do much more than paint!
What do you enjoy most about your business, and what do you least enjoy?
I most enjoy sewing and mending, and working with textiles, I least enjoy the admin!
What are your biggest dreams for Sew Mindful.
To be full time in this, with a lovely little sustainable fabrics and textiles shop running alongside it!
How do you stay inspired and motivated?
Pinterest sessions with a cup of tea! I also love listening to podcasts like Check Your Thread and Love to Sew.
What is your dream project?
This is it! I love constantly learning new skills, there is a Robert Woods pattern that is patchwork and all made from scraps that I would love to one day conquer and make my own version of.
What advice would you give somebody looking to get into sewing and making or illustration.
Just do it! Come along to a Social Sew session, just £5 per hour with sewing machine provided. Come and have a go and take it from there!
What is your favourite or most inspirational place in the world?
Somewhere out in the wild, anywhere near water; a lake, river or stream
What can’t you live without?
The people I love and all the shared memories we have
If you had one wish for the world what would it be?
That everyone would slow down, consume less, do less and enjoy the moments
To find out more about Becca check out her website HERE, where you can also find details of all her classes and courses!
