We are so excited to introduce you to our blogging team, The Avid Makers. These talented sewists are going to be sharing their takes on our patterns, giving tips, advice, hacks and ideas along the way.
So let’s meet the team..
My name is Vicky and I live in the beautiful city of York. I have been sewing for over ten years and learned to sew by sewing all the curtains for my first house! I try to sew sustainably if I can, this often looks like using second hand textiles, choosing organic, using up every last scrap, or just making sure that everything I make is made to last. I usually sew for myself, but I can occasionally be persuaded to sew for my husband or little boy. If I am not sewing, I can also be found knitting or reading.
@sewstainability
Hi all! My name is Marcela, I am a mum of two gorgeous children and partner to a very patient man who drives me to as many fabric shops I set my heart on (he still doesn’t know the extent of my stash!)
I started sewing after my daughter was born, I got a sudden urge to learn and make her lots of pretty and unique little things. I bought myself a couple of patterns and went head first, I didn’t have a clue what notches were and found instructions hard. Fast forward 4 years and here I am; I have sewn for everyone in my family and my daughter is still my favourite person to sew for apart from myself obviously. I mostly sew indie patterns as I love the detailed instructions. I’m a sucker for vintage patterns for their simplistic designs and I hack every pattern I own.
When I’m not sewing I’m helping at home with some DIY, I’m a good painter, wallpaper hanger and plasterer and my other passions are cooking, dancing salsa, bachata, reggaeton and when I’m not dancing I’m listening to it!”
@mama.on.a.sew
I’m Gemma, a creative based in South London. An avid knitter since childhood (before it was ‘cool!’) it was only a matter of time before sewing entered my life, and fast forward a couple of years my self-taught dressmaking adventure is in full swing! With a penchant for jumpsuits, I love bright colours and bold prints – I certainly consider leopard print a neutral! When I’m not sewing or knitting you will find me working on my screen print indie business – Ginger Doodles Designs – where I create products that combine pun-tastic typography and illustration, whilst incorporating sewing with handmade accessories.
@ginger_doodlesdesigns
I am Deepa, from India. I learnt to sew on my grandmom’s treadle as a child and it was love at first stitch. A decade ago I was convinced that shopping for fabrics is more exciting than shopping for clothes! So I learnt patternmaking, bought indie patterns, interacted with the incredible sewing community and worked my way towards a totally handmade wardrobe for myself and many cherished pieces for others. What I love about sewing is learning never ends. I have a penchant for handcrafted textiles. I am delighted to be part of this blogging team and share my Avid Seamstress makes with all of you.
@sunbirdsews
Hi, I’m Abigail! I slowly started sewing in 2017 after watching my mum sew for a while. During lockdown in 2020, I really fell in love with sewing and it has become a huge part of my life. I love sewing dresses and recently I have become obsessed with bra making. I live in Nottingham though I’m originally from Essex. I am just coming to the end of my PhD and starting as a Clinical Scientist for the NHS. Sewing is a great way to unwind, be creative and counteract all the time I spend staring at a screen!
@absewlutely.abigail
Hi I’m Maria Theoharous or Velosews on social media.
I’ve always lived in Sydney Australia and when we can travel, I try to visit new places because then I can meet up with sewists I know online.
My sewing speciality is sewing anything. Really. From making shoes, hats, bags and clothes. I love love love making clothes that fit well and for any occasion ie office, weekends, parties and for the gym. Couture sewing is what I dabble in from time to time. You can also hear me on my podcast Sew Organised Style, talking to people within the sewing community.
@velosews
My name is Katie and I live in Hertfordshire. My love of being creative began at a very young age, which includes music and led me to my job in the classical music world. I was introduced to sewing in my early teens, and I picked it up again in more recent years with greater enthusiasm and love to whip up a bold look either using a pattern or self-drafting. I really enjoy sharing my makes on Instagram and my website, including other crafts, and struggle to keep my hands still from making even when watching something in the evenings!
@katherine_eleanor_crafts
Blog posts will be going live from October, so make sure to keep in touch so you don’t miss out. Sign up to our newsletter at theavidseamstress.co.uk (and bag yourself a free PDF pattern, The Drop Sleeve Top, too), and you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter plus our dedicated community makes Instagram TheAvidSeamstressMakers
The Avid Seamstress 
Hi I’m a nervous returnee to sewing and I am attempting to make The City Trousers. My question/comment is, I was taught at school many moons ago to trim the seam allowance from 5/8 of an inch. The pattern instructions does not say anything about this, is it necessary or not? Thanks Mrs B
Hi Lorraine. For us, this is more of our preference – we use smaller seam allowances in our sewing patterns in place that will have bulk so that it reduces the bulk. You are welcome to trim the seam allowances but I promise, the trousers will come out perfectly if you just follow our instructions. Hopefully once you get on the sewing machine bicycle it will all feel great again. Please let us know if we can help with anything – here is an additional tutorial with photographs – https://theavidseamstress.com/the-city-trousers/