Out & About November 2017

OA feature

GERALDINE GARDNER talks to Tracey Taylor, who works from her home in Thatcham, and Sarah Mackfall, aka Foxy Lady, who upcycles vintage fabric on her boat in Newbury. Both create unique and original garments and bags, as well as made-to-order items

SewTaylored

T racey Taylor has just started her own small business fashioning home-made creations from fabric and yarn. She has her own workspace in her house and is surrounded by an array of colourful fabrics and sewing parapher- nalia. She discovered her love for sewing aged 14 in school textiles lessons. She even won a prize in a national design competition with a skirt/trousers combination and has continued to sew. She is totally self-taught. Tracey reckons she has made at least 24 brides- maid dresses over the years for family and friends and a couple of prom dresses, one of which was in June for her own daughter’s prom. She adds: “I have made numerous christening outfits for various clients, from a tartan romper suit to a long silk christening gown with matching silk coat. “I make items from all types of fabric, but I have come to love working with the best-quality cotton, silk and beautiful lace. “I believe that if you are going to invest time into making something it is always good to use the best-quality materials, then the creations will last for many years to come.” Tracey says she particularly loves making special baby and children’s wear, quilts and handbags,

of colours as it is gentle for baby’s skin. I finish each quilt with a contrast hand-made binding and a cotton crochet trim, which I think gives the quilts their unique look.” Tracey is also keen to point out that no two quilts are the same so you are getting something origi- nal and she will also make bespoke order. “I can make the quilt from the customer’s own fabrics i.e. old baby clothes or any other fabrics that have sentimental memories.” These quilts typically take Tracey around 8-10 hours to complete and she uses the best-quality fabrics in the cotton, wool and plush fabric. In addition to the christening gowns and quilts, Tracey also enjoys making bags of all types, with styles to suit everyone, even little girls bags. “About three years ago I learnt to crochet. I only work with the finest merino wool, cotton, and silk yarns, no acrylic. I make a variety of items from handbags to baby blankets and occasionally baby cardigans. “If someone requires a bespoke item, I would nor- mally request about three weeks notice to make it, but if it is needed for a specific date before that I’ll do my best to complete it in time.” You can see all Tracey’s products on her website www.sewtaylored.co.uk and follow her on Face- book, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

“For the christening gowns and romper suits I use a basic bodice, pant or skirt pattern and then I modify the design to include different collars, sleeves or hems etc. whatever the customer wants. “I have made up a small range of my own de- signs, which are all unique and can be purchased, but I can also make bespoke designs to the client’s own specifications. “I am also able to undertake commissions on older children’s outfits if someone requires a special garment.” The christening shawl that Tracey makes is totally her own design. “I create it using the cathedral window quilting method – so called because it mirrors the elegant lines and shapes of the large traditional cathedral windows – and I line it in super soft plush fabric. “As you can appreciate the shawls take many hours to complete so they can seem quite expensive, but it is an heirloom piece that can be handed down through the generations with many happy memories attached.” Tracey also likes to use a range of colours: “I love colour, especially rainbow colours and I have a passion for quilting. That is why I started making my baby quilts.” Tracey uses a method called ‘fussy cutting’, whereby she chooses a main fabric, with a good print, and then centres the patches over the main characters. She then chooses matching fabrics to complement the colours. “I only use 100-per-cent wool wadding to fill my quilts as it is very lightweight, but gives natural warmth to baby. “On the back of the quilt, I use a super soft plush fabric in a variety

Pictures: James Taylor

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