To make the garments they create even more personal, the sew-ers can stitch in their own, bespoke label, manufactured by a small business in Dunfermline, which might read: ‘Designed by Mummy, or ‘Handmade by Gran.’ People would say to me: ‘I’d pay you to make that for my own wee girl.’ But that did not bring me joy. Medical student Serena Baker was crowned winner of The Great British Sewing Bee in June 2021. Credit: PA Whether you’re new to sewing or are a seasoned pro, sewing books will give you inspiration and help you practise your sewing skills. If you’re a fabric hoarder (no judgement here!) having a sewing book to hand will give you an excuse to go through your fabric stash and finally put some of those fabrics you’ve bought from craft fairs and craft stores over the years to good use. Master must-have skills - from zip insertion to pressing perfection - to boost your sewing confidence and give your garments a professional finish

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In 2021, Serena Baker became the youngest ever - and first Scottish - winner of The Great British Sewing Bee. She thrilled the judges with her incredible attention to detail and wowed viewers with her distinctive 'refashioning projects', putting sustainability at the heart of her creations.Following her success on the show, Serena has now produced a book that takes readers on a journey to reinvent their wardrobes, which she will also be promoting on her Dundee visit. Ahh Rowley, far right in pink, beat the other series one contestants to be crowned the first ever |Sewing bee winner Credit: Handout Comedian Sara Pascoe was announced as the new host of the show last September, replacing fellow comedian Joe Lycett.

A Great British Sewing Bee win, now for patching up people

Now a hive of activity, Amanda and four additional tutors offer classes for all abilities, running every evening and at weekends. Almost all our customer base is made up of professional people who have very busy jobs, and we have a number of doctors and lawyers,” she explained. Meet the softly-spoken fashionista Amanda Gilfedder, whose former colleagues at Holy Family Primary School in Mossend, Bellshill, were instrumental in persuading her to take a leap of faith and exit education to launch her own classroom concept – teaching people how to sew. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share! Read More Related ArticlesSaid Serena: “Running a workshop at Sew You Can was an amazing way to share my knowledge from my new book, Serena Sews, while also encouraging people to try upcycling old bits and bobs to give them a new lease of life.

Serena Sews: How to Make Beautiful, Interchangeable

Forget fast fashion and cheap trends - Serena Baker is here to help you craft the sustainable wardrobe of your dreams!" Really talented sewers have fairy dust that they throw over the garment and it doesn’t look like it has been touched by a human hand. That’s what Serena’s sewing is like.’– Esme Young The paths of Sew You Can and R:evolve Recycle crossed again recently, when Amanda teamed up with young Glasgow medical student Serena Baker, whose exceptional sewing and design talents, and her passion for upcycling, earned her the Great British Sewing Bee crown of 2021. By March, she’d signed a lease and transformed the blank canvas into two bright, airy and contemporary studios, five-times the size of her Brandon House unit.Busy professionals, including doctors and lawyers, are now finding release from their daily stresses and strains in the unlikely guise of a former Lanarkshire primary school teacher, who administers her therapy through the medicinal qualities of tossed-out curtains and discarded men’s shirts.

Serena Sews: How to Make Beautiful, Interchangeable Serena Sews: How to Make Beautiful, Interchangeable

They’ll say: ‘My granny tried to teach me to sew and I was hopeless,’ and a lady who said I’d never be able to teach her because she couldn’t sew in a straight line. Eloise is an enthusiastic participant of the kids’ classes, which have also been attended by a young boy who made puppets by hand, and wanted to up-skill to machine stitching. She is also an ambassador for Create & Craft TV appearing on their YouTube shows and contributing to their blog. Juliet Uzor - series five Sewing is also a skill that can help you become a more sustainable crafter – there are so many ways you can use fabric you already have at home and upcycle them into new items. From old curtains and towels to tablecloths and throws, you can use fabrics from soft furnishings in scrap fabric projects using techniques like patchwork or quilting, make fabric jewellery or even small purses and toys.We're always happy to answer any questions or queries you might have, please get in touch using one of the methods below. The former teacher, who is also set to launch crochet and knitting classes, added: “It is friendly and fun, and the tutors are lovely. You can’t do anything wrong, you can’t break the sewing machines. You don’t ever need to feel apprehensive or nervous. You’re here to relax.” In the staff room, my colleagues would say, ‘I love your dress; you made that, didn’t you?'" Amanda told Lanarkshire Live. Serena Baker first discovered the joy of sewing things together as a teenager, just when her family was tearing apart. In her new book, Serena Sews, the Scot who won The Great British Sewing Bee last year while juggling the demands of medical school, explains how the old family sewing machine became a source of comfort and solace.