Coming soon is the long awaited third book in the successful Learn to… series by Coats Crafts UK, following Learn to Knit and Learn to Crochet. Alison Reid shows how to make 15 simple sewing projects with step by step instructions. Even first time stitchers can learn some delightful ideas for their home as well as fantastic clothes and accessories.
We caught up with Alison to find out where she gets her ideas and inspirations for this enchanting book.
How did your interest in sewing evolve?
My creative interests began at an early age. Both my parents are artistic, my mother was a hairdresser and my father despite being an industrial chemist has always painted, so perhaps my artistic abilities were inherited from them.
At school the careers advisor asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I told them I wanted to be a children’s book illustrator. The response wasn’t that marvellous as I don’t think they had ever come up against that one before. It didn’t stop me though, as I had a very good art teacher who really inspired me with my work.
On leaving school I was accepted on an Art and Design Foundation course in Liverpool. The course was my idea of Utopia, as all we did all day was draw and paint. It was here that I discovered the world of textiles, and was introduced to the processes of sewing and weaving. Following the foundation course I stayed in Liverpool to complete a three year degree course in Fashion / Textiles. After having tried my hand at all the different skill areas on offer I decided to specialise in woven textiles.
The weave process taught me many things, colour, balance, scale, yarn counts, handle of cloth, but most off all it taught me patience. The ability to sit and thread a 36 inch wide loom which could have as many as ninety threads to the inch required tremendous patience as well as discipline. Following a stint as a colourist I gained employment at John Moores University in Liverpool in the same department where I had trained as a student.
Why do you love sewing?
The weaving was very time consuming and what I loved about the sewing was that it was so immediate, the chance to experiment quickly became a huge draw. At this point I turned my attention to stitched trimmings.
It also covers many aspects and that makes it an incredibly versatile skill. Sewing much like any other artistic endeavour can be a very rewarding experience. Especially when you can create something from a few basic materials.
Sewing has seen resurgence in popularity, why do you think sewing has made a comeback?
Yes, I read recently that this last year had seen a dramatic rise in the sale of sewing machines. I think things always come full circle. The internet is such a powerful tool in that it has brought together people of like minds. Perhaps people were keeping what they had made in boxes under their beds. Now there is an accessible platform for all to exhibit and sell.
What has been your proudest moment of your sewing career?
There have been lots of little moments along the way and teaching students has been rewarding in itself. One of my proudest moments was taking a call from Marc Jacobs’s office in New York, after he had seen some of my stitched trimmings in a journal. Also, receiving my English and American advance copies of ‘Learn to Sew’ to finally see the end results of my work was tremendously rewarding.
What did you enjoy the most about producing Learn to Sew?
Well I have to say that I had tremendous support from a lot of people. Susan Berry was instrumental in the whole process. I think what I liked most was the fact that I was able to do so many of the processes myself, from the written element, deciding the projects, making the projects up and then illustrating the steps. In a way by having so much input, I believe that the book comes together in a very cohesive way. It was a really fun thing to do and I enjoyed every aspect of it. At the same time it was also a huge learning curve.
The book contains 15 fantastic projects from a necklace to a fashionable apron, do you have a favourite project?
Can I choose two? I love the Tea Cosy, it was really quick and easy to make. I am also a habitual tea drinker so you can see how the two can go hand in hand. My other favourite is the Lion Cushion, it has a slight quirky touch with the tail and I love the face because of the illustrative content. The photos that John Heseltine took are amazing.
Where do you get your inspiration for designing projects?
Inspiration comes from everywhere. I literally have a personal library at home and when I am travelling I literally soak things up like a sponge. Initially I was asked to put together three pages of ideas for ‘Learn to Sew’. Some of the projects I had made before, but the majority are all new and they required some tweaking during the making up process. Basically I sit and draw, change the scale and use a light box to re-work designs.
Who is Learn to Sew aimed at?
‘Learn to Sew’ is aimed at late teens upwards. The projects are all rated in terms of skill level so you can start off with the easy projects first and when you feel more confident work up towards the more difficult ones. There are also three different categories for the projects, those being, Home, Kids and You. There is something for everyone from embellishing a skirt to making a throw.
What are your other hobbies apart from obviously sewing?
The summer holidays have always provided me with an opportunity to travel. There is so much to see out there and I suppose these things are what fuel my creativity. I love the culture shock of countries such as Cambodia and Guatemala but then equally I love the familiarity of Europe and in particular Italy.
I have always been interested in film, and in particular foreign film. Favourites have to include Dario Argento’s ‘Suspiria’ which is a complete masterpiece. I don’t really tend to watch current films however, I do have a penchant for many of the films made in the late 60’s and 70’s. Titles I never tire of are, The Graduate, Rosemary’s Baby and The Passenger.
Who inspires you?
In illustration I am very much inspired by the work of the 1950’s illustrator and writer Miroslav Sasek. His illustrations are divine and truly unique to him. Edward Bawden is also another favourite, he produced some packaging designs for Fortnum and Mason which are amazing.
The fashion house ‘Hoss Intropia’ is producing some really interesting garments, but what I like most is that their garments are canvases for a feast of stitch work.
Whats next?
It would be great to start work on another book. The process was really very rewarding and it has been a fantastic journey that gave me the opportunity to tie up my illustration work with my sewing.
Learn to Sew will be out in the shops in August. For more information & stockist details call Coats Crafts UK Consumer services on 01325 394237.