22 May 2019

Sewing Space Tours... Our Louise's Sewing Snug

Louise's sewing snug

Hello there! It's Louise here from team Buttons. I am the Sales and Communications Manager, so I write the emails that pop into your inbox, manage the website, take care of our lovely stockists (and keep a close eye on their incoming fabric of course!), work with the press, and much, much more.

I am also an incredibly enthusiastic sewist and collector of fabric. When I'm not sewing, I'm probably thinking about it! I am one half of the blog and Instagram account, Cut One Pair. It's a place where Jenny (also from team Buttons) and I share our makes, inspirations, and love for this wonderful hobby.

Louise's sewing snug

I live in North London with my husband Duncan and super shy Ragdoll cat, Maisie. I have taken over our snug room (come second bedroom) for my sewing space - because who needs two bedrooms for two people and a kitty?!

Louise's sewing snug

I love this room because it looks out onto the garden (gardening is another major passion of mine), and in the summer I can sew with the doors open. Our interior style is quite colourful and cluttered, so my sewing space is as tidy as it can be - but I don’t feel pressure to hide everything as it adds to the feel of the room.

Louise's sewing snug

Our flat is the ground level of Victorian house, so the high ceilings make the room feel light and airy, and the fireplace can be used to keep the room snuggly during my winter sewing sessions.

Louise's sewing snug

We love mid-century style, so my desk, chair and fabric cupboard are original 60s/70s pieces we found on Ebay. I have a very handy Ikea table that has two leaves that lift up for cutting out. Duncan added castors to it for me so I can move it around easily and take over the room if I need to. It has sneaky drawers in the middle that house my paper patterns which are organised by style.

Louise's sewing snug

I have a few precious tools that have been handed down to me. I have my Great Grandmother's pin cushion that was given to her on her 50th Wedding Anniversary and I have one of her thimbles that fits perfectly on my finger.

Before she was married, she worked in Liberty in the 1920s on the accessories floor, so maybe that explains why I love that store so much! I also have my Grandad’s tailors thimble (he was a tailor when he was younger), and my Mum's labels she would stitch into her me-mades before they were called that.

Louise's sewing snug

I have an inspiration board that is always being added to with things that motivate me. I love the sewing themed postcards that indie fabric shops add into your order, so they go straight on here - including the ones I designed for TATB!

Louise's sewing snug
Louise's sewing snug

My favourite motivational sewing prints are from my lovely friend Katie, who owns Oh Squirrel. She made me a special one with "When I'm not sewing, I'm probably thinking about it" and I also have her super popular pockets print - because POCKETS! I use cute corkboards to display my current project plans, because I am very easily distracted and need to stay focused.

Louise's sewing snug
Louise's sewing snug

Everything does have it's place in my sewing space and I have a few things that help me stay tidy. I couldn't operate without my Ikea trolley that houses my notions and sewing tools. It moves around, so is always on hand when I need it. I picked up these cute little flat pack candy coloured crates recently that are brilliant for storing my little extras, like patches and snaps.

Louise's sewing snug
Louise's sewing snug

I love these pastel-coloured accordion files from Amazon for PDF pattern storage that are great because you can label them and safely file your precious patterns away. My fabric stash lives in my cupboard and Ikea storage cube. I am usually inspired by fabric first, so find it hard to resist something gorgeous that I just know I will turn into something that makes me happy one day. It is my vice : )

Louise's sewing snug

I sewed my first garment in 2014 and chose a really complicated pattern - the Cynthia Rowley Simplicity 2250 dress. I went to my Mum's over several weekends to make it together (my first lesson was that dressmaking takes time), and I was completely hooked.

The dress had a lined bodice that was full of pleats and tucks, plus an invisible zip – I had no idea how hard it would be to make. To demonstrate just how clueless I was, it was made out of precious Liberty cotton lawn! Thankfully, it is beautiful and I still wear it (thanks Mum).

Louise's sewing snug

My kitty cat Maisie also enjoys sewing. When I get things out, she always comes to join the party. She just loves to hide under my patterns or sit on my freshly cut fabric. But mostly she is just waiting for me to sit down so she can get back on my lap.

Louise's sewing snug
Louise's sewing snug

I love sewing anything... I have managed to get over my fears and jump into projects. If they go wrong, they go wrong - every single thing I have ever made has an error in it. But those errors become design features and make the garment even more unique. I must admit I keep a seam ripper and plasters close by for any sewing related accidents!

Louise's sewing snug

I built up lots of jersey makes after we released Stretch! at Tilly and the Buttons. The whole team became obsessed with sewing with knit fabrics. Last year I gave bra making and swimwear a go at the New Craft House workshops which was so much fun and the results were amazing.

Now I'm getting stuck into our raincoat pattern, Eden, so am working with yet another brand new fabric for me. There is never a dull moment in sewing!

Louise's sewing snug

I always have some kind of entertainment to accompany my stitching. Usually that involves Netflix and watching something like RuPaul's Drag Race, Project Runway or Queer Eye, and on Sundays we like to stick our record player on.

Anybody who knows me is aware that I drink a LOT of tea. When I'm sewing I like to make a nice pot of something. Bird and Blend have some of my favourite teas and being part of their monthly tea club delivery means I never run out of options.

Louise's sewing snug

Oh and I really love my collection of sewing-related miniatures - how cute are these?! I hope you enjoyed a snoop in my sewing snug, where both tea and fabric flow freely!

Thanks so much for showing us around your space, Louise! Have a snoop round other stitchers' sewing rooms in our series.