When & how did you first get into sewing?

I started making clothes for dolls when I was about 5 and was taught dressmaking by my step mum when I was 12. I haven’t looked back since!

What was the first thing you ever made?

Where do you get your inspiration from for your textiles art pieces?

My work is inspired by heritage, personal history, stories and memories. I often work closely with museums or archives to create my work. I research and develop ideas for quite a long time before I start working on a finished piece. I also love repetition and building up layers of fabric to create repeating shapes and designs.

Many people see sewing solely as a hobby – how did you turn your love of sewing into a business? and has it been difficult to do? what’s your favourite part of your job?

After working in museum curatorial and education roles for nearly 10 years, I decided it was time to give something else a go. I quit my job, got a studio and simply started working. I have always taught and this has given me a safety net over the last 8 years. I love teaching and have expanded that side of my work to running my own creative textiles studio where I run workshops for all levels. The marketing and admin workload gets me down but I love having complete control over my working life, and not having a boss! Of course my favourite part of my work is quiet, undisturbed, focussed time in my studio, researching, planning, sewing and making. Nothing is better!

Do you have a top tip that you would give to someone who has never used a sewing machine before?

If you have any problems sewing, the first things I always check are the top thread and the bobbin; make sure they are correctly threaded as most problems are caused by the threading being wrong.

Ruth’s new book, Fabric Manipulation,  is available for pre-order from Amazon now and Ruth will  be doing book signings, demonstrations and related workshops throughout the summer…so keep an eye on her blog to find out more!

We’ve known for a while that sewing is COOL but now, with the help of GBSB, we’re hoping that the rest of the world will catch on. And if the first episode is anything to go by, we predict it won’t be long until everyone is getting behind a sewing machine and knocking up their own clothes……and giving the finger to the recession along the way.

The first task for the eight contestants was to make an A Line Skirt in just 3 and a half hours by following a pattern. Vintage loving Jane caught our attention straight away with her kooky car-print skirt while Sandra caught the judges eyes as the only person who fully lined the skirt. If you fancy making a skirt like any of the ones on the show then The Style Factory now run a Make a Skirt in a Day weekend course which is suitable for all levels- from beginners upwards…..

The second task of the day saw the contestants altering the neckline of a shop-bought top to make it extra special. Sandra made the show’s first ‘pork’ (as so nicely worded by sexy judge Patrick Grant) by sewing her scalloped facing on the wrong way….’soggy bottom’ of the series? If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make alterations to clothes in your wardrobe then come and join our Make It Fit Alterations Course. Over 5 weeks you can work on your own clothes and learn a range of professional alteration techniques….great for saving money and wardrobe space.

The final challenge of the episode was to create a ‘made to measure’ casual day dress to fit a model. We had our money on Mark from the off on this one…..he opted to make a shift dress by using a bodice block and extending it down. This is always the best way to make a simple dress that will fit perfect everytime. And sure enough the judges were loving his finished creation. Our Make Your Own Dress course explores just how to do exactly as Mark did by creating a block to fit your exact measurements and then adapting that to make a perfect fitting dress….all in just 8 weeks.

All in all The Style Factory are right behind The Great British Sewing Bee and can’t wait for the next episode. The show was trending worldwide on Twitter and it’s amazing to see how popular sewing is becoming………sewing is definitely the new cool!!

Vicky, aged 11, teamed a sporty Converse dress with grey jeans and even cooler Gorillaz  Special Edition Converse pumps. We love this laid-back look and everyone agreed Vicky looks fab!

Look out for the next Outfit of The Week coming soon …..

The TSF team have always been very proud  about the fact we share what we do with as many people as possible but from the end of this month it will be official. ….The Style Factory have decided to become a not-for-profit social enterprise and will be adopting a brand new structure and mission statement to make our community work even more of a focus in the future.

It’s all boring jargon to most of us and you won’t notice much change on the surface initially….but watch this space and you will see big things happen very soon!

The most exciting thing about this change is that we are now welcoming two fabulous new faces to our Board of Directors!

Ruth Thomas is the award-winning business woman behind online fashion retailer Room31.co.uk. She is also one of the most hard-working and dedicated women you could ever come across…and has negotiating skills that could bring Alan Sugar to his knees.

Isla Wilson is another award-winning business powerhouse and the founder of ‘Oomph’ agency Ruby Star Associates. She has worked with some of the top companies, charities and social enterprises in the UK and is an expert in just about everything to do with running an awesome business….plus she has a shoe collection to die for!

Isla and Ruth will join TSF founder Caz Moss on the Board officially this month but the trio have already been working on lots of exciting plans for the coming year….2013 you better watch out, we’re coming to get you!

The Style Factory is launching a brand  new shop and workshop space in Runcorn Old Town and we are currently on the hunt for local people to get involved.

The new venture will see an empty shop in the town be transformed into a creative community hub offering training courses, workshops and affordable retail and studio space to aspiring fashion designers and craftspeople of all ages and abilities.

The new centre will consist of a studio space that will offer a range of fashion and craft workshops and training courses and be available to hire by local groups. There will also be a shop space selling affordable new and vintage clothing and handmade craft items produced and supplied by local people as well as haberdashery and craft supplies.

The Style Factory team are currently busy scouring empty properties in the town centre in a mission to find the perfect space and once a venue is secured it will be all hands on deck to get the centre open for Spring.

In order to help get the project off the ground we are looking for local people and businesses to donate their time, resources or services. Whether it’s a couple of hours to help decorate, a spare tin of paint, unwanted furniture or donations of equipment- everything is welcome.

A range of free sewing, up-cycling and craft workshops will take place for volunteers who are willing to help out with renovating and decorating the new space.

In return for their support, anyone who gets involved and helps out with the project will be rewarded with an invite to the launch celebrations plus some other great incentives…..including cake and tea on tap!

“We want to bring something new and creative to Runcorn,” says Caz Moss, founder of The Style Factory, “This is a community venture so we are calling for the community be a part of it from the off. It’s a great chance for people to get creative and a brilliant way for local businesses to get involved with the community.”

Anyone interested in getting involved with this exciting new venture can get in touch with the team by emailing contact@thestylefactory.co.uk or by calling us on 07794168817.

The award was handed out as part of the charities’ Celebrate Success North West Awards, which celebrates the achievements of young people who take part in the Prince’s Trust programmes.

The award was presenter by (the extremely hot!) Blackburn Rovers and England footballer Kevin Davies who attended the event along with a number of the Prince’s Trust celebrity ambassadors.

The Style Factory was set up with the support of the Prince’s Trust in 2010 and we have always been massively grateful for the start they gave to the business.

Caz will now go through to the selection process for the organisation’s National Celebrate Success Awards which takes place at the Odeon, Leicester Square next year…..fingers crossed!

 If you have found us after seeing our recent deal on Groupon….. then WELCOME!

Click here to find out more about the different courses we offer at our studio in Runcorn

Already bought the deal? Then congratulations on bagging yourself a place on our Introduction to Dressmaking course for a bargain price.

Now all you need to do is to book a place on one of the many daytime and weekend dates we have available….and here’s how!

1) You should have been sent a link from Groupon when you purchased the deal and this will take you directly to our online booking system. Alternatively you can click here. DO NOT try and book your place through our website directly as you will automatically be charged the full price for the course.

2.) Pick from all the start dates available and book yourself onto a class that suits you (more dates are added as classes become full so please get in touch if the dates on the system aren’t suitable for you)

3.) We’ll send you an email about a week before your class date to explain where we are and what will happen on the day etc.

We’re all really excited to meet you at the studio soon. If you have any questions in the meantime then please just give us a shout!

You can email us on contact@thestylefactory.co.uk or call the studio on 07794168817

xxx

Sarah came along to our Open Day on 21st July to help us celebrate the opening of the new studio in Runcorn. She was more than happy to join in the fun and even made her own headband to wear for her upcoming holidays.

The Open Day was a huge success and everyone enjoyed the free taster sessions…..and the free tea and cupcakes too.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Sarah and everyone else who came along on the day to hope us celebrate the start of some exciting times for The Style Factory xxx

The new studio will deliver affordable courses in dressmaking and fashion to people of all ages…. and we’re so excited to show it off!

The new studio is located within the Hazlehurst Craft Studios community venture in the town and the team are already taking bookings for their first programme of Summer workshops.

The workshops we will be running from the studio will explore all aspects of the fashion industry from clothes making and design to modelling and photography. They are designed to open up the industry to a wider audience and allow all ages and backgrounds to learn new skills without having to commit to the time and cost of further education.

The new studio is fully equipped with everything needed to run the courses and workshops will be led by fashion experts and experienced tutors.

New workshops starting next month include Make Your Own Skirt, Modelling and Personal Style and a Fashion Summer Camp especially designed for teenagers. The courses cost between £50 and £70 for a six week evening course and the price includes all materials.

Everyone is welcome to go along to our Open Day to meet the staff, find out more about the workshops and join in some free taster sessions……and have a yummy cupcake too.

Hazlehurst Craft Studios, now open in High Street, Runcorn, is an Arts Council funded artist studios that now houses eight artist studios and a community craft room.

“We are so excited to be part of Hazlehurst Craft Studios. This new space means that we can now offer workshops to all members of the community from a specially designed venue,” says Caz Moss, The Style Factory Owner.

“We meet so many adults and teenagers who wish they knew how to make their own clothes but who have never been taught basic sewing skills. Our workshops are a great way to learn in an informal and relaxed atmosphere.”

The Arts Award is a nationally recognised qualification (equivalent to half a GCSE!) that is managed by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England. The award will allow The Style Factory participants to get recognition for all the skills they learn and all the hard work they put in while exploring fashion with us.

Runcorn Fashion Club will be the first group to work on the Arts Award and then we will be offering the programme to all of our schools and youth club groups from September 2012.

If you are interested in hearing more about how we implement the Arts Award through fashion or you want us to deliver our programmes in your school or youth club next year then contact us for a chat