Everyday artist of the week

Rachel Orchard from Yorkshire shared a photo with us of the caravan tea cosy she had made. We contacted her to find out what inspired her to take up sewing.

I find sewing really therapeutic and going to a group class is great as you are mixing with new people

I have been able to hand sew since I was quite young but I could never use a sewing machine. That’s why I joined a course at a local college last September, to learn how to do it. I’ve made a draught excluder, a tea cosy, cosies for coffee pots and grocery bag holders, that I gave as Christmas presents.

I have health problems and am registered disabled and in considerable pain a lot of the time. I find sewing really therapeutic and going to a group class is great as you are mixing with new people at the same time, without feeling the pressure of going out specifically to do that. I’ve definitely made friends through it.

I feel really inspired to carry on sewing. I’ve been watching The Great British Sewing Bee, I’ve got the same sewing machine that the contestants use, which is encouraging! I’ve fixed my cousin’s little boy’s clothes, where he’s ripped them. But now I want to start trying to make some clothes from scratch. I’m probably going to start with a jersey skirt and have been checking out material online. I look at Pinterest a lot for ideas. I do spend a lot of time at home, so I really look forward to Fridays, and going to the sewing course.

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