Stitching Confidence
How Beth's Six-Year Sewing Journey Blossomed at The Make Spot
Introduction
When Beth settled in Chepstow in 2019, she was eager for a new hobby and the Great British Sewing Bee had sparked her interest. Every body shape is unique; "I thought, if I could learn to alter my own clothes, I'd finally have garments that fit," she explains. A quick Google search led her to The Make Spot and almost 6 years on, she's still here, fully immersed in a world of pattern drafting, puffy sleeves and community camaraderie.
A New Creative Habit
Beth's first sewing class began with the basics: winding a bobbin, threading a machine, deciphering a pattern. "I didn't even know what a bobbin was," she remembered. Her initial project; a pair of pyjama bottoms which ended up cut out upside down, a rookie mistake that's now part of studio legend.
Undeterred, she jumped straight into a lined pinafore dress with pattern matching, discovering that the more complex the project, the more satisfying the result.
Sewing as Sanctuary
Lockdown only intensified Beth's passion. "Once I got the sewing bug, I found it scratched my creative itch and gave me a mindful break from screens," she reflects. Each week, she carves out a couple of hours to switch off phones and chatter (unless she wants it!) surrounded by like-minded makers.
From Pinafores to Puffy Sleeves
Over the years, Beth's projects have ranged from practical to flamboyant. She's now known for her signature puffy sleeves, an element she insisted on weaving into her wedding dress. Her wardrobe proudly displays a quilted monochrome leopard-print gilet, made for just £12 by "duping" a £95 Damson Madder staple, and a labour-of-love flamingo-print pinafore that still lives on a mannequin in her bedroom.
"I'm not the same person who made that dress," she admits. "It was a real trial, and I'm so proud of it as a piece of art."
Signature Style
Beth's famous puffy sleeves, an element she insisted on weaving into her wedding dress
Advanced Techniques
Mastering complex construction and mathematical pleating
Sustainable Fashion
Prioritising natural fibres and ethical construction for garments built to last
From Beginner to Expert
First class learning to wind a bobbin, infamous upside-down pyjama bottoms
Lined pinafore dress with pattern matching - discovering complexity brings satisfaction
Puffy sleeves become Beth's trademark, featured in her wedding dress
£12 leopard-print gilet "duping" a £95 designer piece
Pattern drafting, corsetry, and mathematical pleating
Mastering the Craft
Having long since moved on from her legendary upside-down pyjama bottoms, Beth now confidently tweaks commercial patterns, drafts her own skirts and even explores corsetry. She's mastered buttonholes, overlocker seams, boning and mathematically accurate pleating. "Now I can glance at a pattern and instinctively know how it will come together," she says. For her jumpsuit, she reworked the store-bought pattern to her measurements and, faced with heavy fabric, replaced bulky gathers with sleek pleats.
Design & Creation
Advanced Techniques
Construction Mastery
Sustainable Approach
Sustainability & Style
Sewing has reshaped Beth's shopping habits. She now scrutinises fabric compositions, opting for 100 percent cotton and natural fibres whenever possible. "After unpicking mass-market seams, you see how uneven they can be," she says. "If I see something I love but it doesn't fit, I'd rather source my own fabric and make it myself, knowing it'll be breathable, ethical and built to last."
Looking Ahead
Beth's ambitions only keep growing. On her "30-for-30" vision board: drafting her own pair of tailored trousers, mastering rise and waistband construction, and eventually creating a coordinated set inspired by Vivienne Westwood corsetry and a Chanel-style cropped jacket. Step by step, she's mapping out the path from elastic-waist comfort to couture-level precision.
Why Beth Recommends The Make Spot
"There's no judgement, no cliques," she says. "Everyone's working on something different, from absolute beginners to seasoned sewists. You'll find friends, inspiration and the kind of confidence that comes from turning fabric and thread into the clothes you really want."
If you've ever thought about picking up a needle or dusting off an old machine, Beth's story shows that the first stitch is just the beginning of a creative, mindful and sustainable adventure.
Ready to Begin Your Own Sewing Story?
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