TUTORS

LOUISE CAMERON // DRESSMAKING & HOMEWARE

Louise has been running her own dressmaking business, from home, since 1991. Her love for sewing started at 5 years old, when she would use her Gran’s old treadle sewing machine. On her 14th birthday, her Mum and Dad bought Louise her own sewing machine. From then on made clothes and craft items for friends and family slowly building up the business to what it is today. I’ve been on several courses to learn new techniques. I can adapt commercial patterns mixing them to get the style and design my customer wants.

Since retiring, Louise has become a permanent Tutor with us. Taking the weekly Pattern Confident Class, alongside her homeware and technique classes. A wonderfully patient teacher, helping you feel good about your sewing, gaining confidence in your abilities and working with you at your pace.

HELEN BOOR – DESIGNER & PATTERN CUTTER.

Helen studied Fashion at Lincoln Art college. She went on to gain an HND in clothing technology at Kent Institute of Art and Design. The course focused on industry fashion and pattern cutting, while there she had her designs in Snob which lead to work experience with Paragon fashion. Moving back to her home town in Lincolnshire, she started her career as a fancy dress costume designer and pattern cutter with Pam’s of Gainsborough. In this roll she lead a team of 12 machinists. The company won best manufacturer from 1999 to 2002 . Helen worked on costume for cat walks, trade brochures and trade shows as well as historical and current trends in the fancy dress industry. After having her children Helen moved to the Highlands in 2007, working as a Designer and Machinist for a company who cater for disabled people in outdoor pursuits. Now taking on her own new venture, selling vintage clothing and up-cycling pre-loved clothing at Vinyl to Vintage in Nairn. In her spare time Helen is a guide leader and co runs a community sewing bee as well as a helping hand with the costumes for the rock challenge at the local high school. A life long lover of dressmaking, vintage, fashion, Vespa’s and Vinyl .  

ANNIE ~ CROCHET & WOOL LOVER

Annie’s favourite colours are shades of green, yellows, and rusty oranges/reds. When she’s not crocheting in her free time, she is spending it in her garden, growing vegetables, or visiting other gardens. Loving everything vintage, particularly the earthy, boho vibe of the 1970s.. and the crochet of course!

She is passionate about spreading her love for crochet and textile based crafts. Crocheting for around 11 years, teaching crochet for six years and joined The Wee Fabric Shop as a teacher in 2021. Annie really enjoys making crochet that is functional and pretty, with clothes and homeware being her favourite makes. Sustainability, repurposing and self sufficiency, with a vintage vibe is often at the heart of her projects. Although she has been sewing for as long as she been crocheting, she still considers herself a (confident) beginner, dabbling in making her own clothes with a keen interest in zero waste patterns.

There are a few other crafts in her skills set which include macrame, knitting and embroidery and has started the fascinating art of botanical based dyeing. You can follow Annie at @annieandthehooks to keep up to date on projects, news and workshops.