I have a dream. A recurring one. It’s the one where I live in a calm, uncluttered home, quirky but stylish, crammed (well, maybe not crammed – perhaps ‘accented’ or ‘punctuated’ might be better?) with well-chosen statement pieces that say something about my personality, that have some sort of emotional meaning to me – pieces that remind me of significant times and events in my life.

The reality is that I’m a dreadful hoarder at heart, and find it so, so hard to part with those bits and pieces of sentimental ephemera that gather in the nooks and crannies.

So they just sit there. And every time I declutter and clean out that cupboard, I see them, and they reproach me – unseen and unloved, memories locked away – spoiling my dream of clean, uncluttered living. (Please tell me that I’m not alone in this? Do you have the same problem?)

But one thing I could do, can do, and have done, is to take those boxes of hoarded treasures – the children’s baby clothes, my wedding dress, the glorious skirt I wore to my sister’s wedding, those evening dresses I don’t wear anymore, the gorgeous pullover with a tiny hole – so many memories, so many special times, so precious … all the clothes I don’t need, can’t wear, but can’t bear to throw away. Take them, and re-purpose them into wonderful keepsakes that I see and use every day, and every time I see them, touch them, use them, it brings back all those lovely memories, layered over with the new memories attached to the comfort and joy I – and my family – have got from them since.

I hope you love the idea of making these clothes into a beautiful object for the home too – something for yourself, for your children, for your mother, your sister? Something unique, beautiful, well-crafted, personal and with genuine emotional significance? Something that solves the clutter problem without the need to throw precious things away? Something that allows you to keep those lovely contemporary neutral colour schemes, but delivers a huge “wow” through your use of soft furnishings? Something just that little bit different? A real statement piece, that doesn’t cost the earth (in more ways than one), and has clear ethical and design credentials?

Let me transform your hidden treasures into beautiful keepsakes that you will be proud to see in your home, that you will be delighted to use, and that will give you pleasure every time you see them – every day.

The process …..
Using traditional textile art techniques – patchwork, applique, embroidery, quilting, I hand-make a unique quilt that allows your memories to shine through, reflects your home decor and rids you of clutter. Where necessary, I source vintage or contemporary fabrics to complement and complete your keepsake quilt. It’s a collaborative, consultative process where we work together to make sure that I create exactly what you want, whether it’s a simple cushion, a small lavender sachet to commemorate a special occasion or a full-size quilt.

What can I do you?
I offer a free, no obligation consultation service, which allows us both to explore the clothes you would like to use, the type of keepsake you would like and for me to generate some ideas for you. There is no obligation for you to go ahead with the commission, nor any charge for my services, until you sign on the dotted line and we agree to go ahead with the work. If you would like to find out what I can do for you, please do get in touch – I’d love to hear from you.

And of course, please come on in and explore my shop - a carefully curated selection of my best pieces made to order for you.