ABOUT
My history as a seamstress dates back to childhood in England when my mother taught me how to cut out a pattern and assemble a garment using her sturdy hand cranked Singer sewing machine. An avid seamstress and 'Xtreme' crafter - she demonstrated how to make lace, draw-thread, tat, crochet, knit and embroider - all skills rarely passed on these days. As an emigree to the U.S. as of 1995, I first found work at a yarn store where I taught knitting (intarsia, fairisle and multi-stranded weaving techniques (see - http://www.kateknits.weebly.com ) , and as a knitwear repairer and alterer. Once relocated to the Central Coast I became an employee of a large alterations store where I learned many dress and suit altering techniques and again specialized in detailed hand-work. After having two children and working predominately from home, I took a job in a design studio making up prototypes which taught me much about patterning and how to work with fine fabric. Through years of working for other people and for myself, my skills as a seamstress have grown to incorporate custom design, costuming, upholstery, fine repair work and a good deal of patching! In fact the mainstay of my work as a seamstress is turning hems, sewing buttons and mending zippers - but it is my love of fine tailoring, costume or the prospect of working on a vintage piece of furniture which fuels my love for this kind of work.