About me...
& Top Notch Sewing Centre
I started sewing around the age of 8 when my mum taught me to sew and I fell in love with creating items that were unique. Fashion was a natural choice for me to pursue as a career! I have worked in the fashion industry since completing my Fashion degree in 1999 and have worked as a designer, garment tech and pattern cutter for big brands and independents, but patterns are the foundation of my sewing and design life.
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It’s a privilege to share my skills and watch clients grow in confidence and creativity, making items that are meaningful and clothes that they want to wear. When I started Top Notch Sewing Centre in early 2020, my aim was to take sewing power to the people!
Top Notch is a home-based business where people can learn sewing and pattern skills, meet fellow sewing enthusiasts and buy a few bits and bobs. Hearing about what inspires people and their creative dreams inspires me too me too, so both group classes and 1-2-1 sessions are always exciting.
I also love supporting local businesses and do so where I can. My aim is not to compete but to support.
My backstory...
Born in Zimbabwe during a time of civil war, then raised in South Africa during a time of apartheid, I am privileged to have fought for cultural freedom and to have experienced the best years of the “Rainbow Nation”.
Growing up in Africa teaches one to be hands-on and resourceful!
I have always been a creative, deconstructing things and building them up again, but I was frustrated by the limited clothing available in my small East Coast town in South Africa.
I always asked my mum, ‘can you make me x, y and z??” And somehow she pulled it off! This was all the encouragement I needed and learnt to sew around the age of 8. I sewed and sold things at school and made
my own clothes too. I was super proud to wear my me-made creations
(…as questionable as some of them were!)
Now I get the same from my kids; “Mum can you fix this? Mum can you change this? Mum can you make me this?” And I am happy to say that yes, I can, because I can sew.
My sights were always set on London. I won a fashion show in Durban South Africa , earning me two tickets to London and since 2000, England has been my home. I now live in Orpington, not far from where my grandfather was born!
I started off in high fashion in South Africa and since living in England I have worked in a suiting company, for high street brands and have had a shop in Camden Market. I have made wedding dresses and suits, and fancy dress costumes and clothing. Sewing is very much a part of me, and I am so happy to share my skills.
