Jo-Ann M

I can adapt lesson to the students requirements. Also to the GCSE and beyond levels.
I'm commercially knowledgeable within industry.
I encourage students with lots of energy and passion of textiles, and sewing and craft work. no question is silly, I want students to enjoy what they do No matter what age you are never too old to learn.

Taking inspiration from the shapes, colours and beauty around us, I make clothing that creates feel good and uplifts the wearer.

I studied Fashion Design at Hastings Art College in the early 1980s, progressing on to a degree in Textiles where I could indulge my passion for constructing & designing garments. After graduating, I worked at the BBC and ITV, creating costumes for TV and theatre.

I’m passing on my sewing skills via hands-on projects and courses. I have experience in inclusivity when delivering and running projects, I’m dyslexic so understand how different many of us learn.

Whether you’ve never touched a sewing machine in your life or you’re an experienced sewer wanting to advance your skills, you’ll find what you need here. From learning how to use a sewing machine to creating made-to-measure clothing from scratch, reusing fabric you can discover those skills.

I’m excited to share my passion. So you, too, can experience the true joy of sewing and delight in the satisfaction of creating something wonderful from a simple piece of fabric.


Comments from other students.

Hi Jo-Ann
I just wanted to say a very belated thank you so much for helping me out with my dress, i really appreciate your time. I have really benefited from your time ? What might seem like nothing to you is huge to me with the time you have given me and what i get concerned about and the things i ask.
The toile fits beautiful and i have also taken the sides of the skirt in a little bit as my original one sits at a funny angle and sticks out a bit. I have pinned the pattern onto my navy fabric and am now just about to cut out my 2nd attempt and also re- writing the pattern as i go as it has become such a muddle and i don't like flipping from one page to the next in the book, i am also transferring my tissue pattern onto graph paper, so it is going to be a very long time until it is finished but i really want to get it nailed as i love the dress so much. I still haven't unpicked my old coat to redo the lining and change the buttons to modernise as you suggested and do the pinafore dress neckline that you suggested but i will get to them.
Look forward to seeing you in June and once again a huge thank you, at last someone to help me with sometimes the smallest of things but were enough to stop me moving forward, you’re amazing.
L

Hi Jo-Ann,

Really enjoyed today, thank you.

It was lovely to have uninterrupted time to play with sewing machine and I learnt a lot.

Su , who you met at the other evening has recently bought an over locker and would like to attend a future session to learn more about it.

I really like that your classes are friendly and informal but also thought it was a great idea to have the list of things to be covered and the bonus of making something useful to take away was a very nice touch.

As Maddie said, your class is exceptional value for money.

I know all three of us gained in confidence from today.
M
Jo-Ann
Thanks for all your help today. I feel so much more confident after your session. My mum could see how happy I was.
I love the way you help me reuse my nanna’s old jumper to make myself a new cardigan. I have not stopped sewing – well when I’m not having to do homework!
See you again.
Lu

Thanks for everything- I’ve got into university. London collage of Fashion.