About Us

Originally, my twin sister and I learnt to sew from our mother when we were very young, I can't remember our exact age, but not 10 years old, yet.

Mom would let us sew on her Singer hand-cranked sewing machine. I haphazardly made a dress for my doll, but, it was a make!

It's in our culture to "turn our hand' " so we can make things, be self-reliant and eventually make some money from it - all genders know how to wash, cook, clean and sew, etc. - not just women!

We did sewing at school, but I wouldn't say I liked the horrid taupe colour of the pencil skirt fabric, and no way was our mother going to let us wear a skirt with a split in the back unless it was for a performance! We did dancing and stuff.

In 1994, I moved from the West Midlands, to London and years later, into a flat in southeast London, I went to evening classes at college. The tutor said I should apply to university for their City and Guilds course - I did and off to east London I went. After seeing the incomparable cost of interiors in a department store, I didn't sew a cushion, curtain or blinds again! Whilst an university, I taught myself to knit and crochet and made accessories to sell at markets.

Covid and the first lockdown happened. I was still working and wanted to make face masks. Although I was medically exempt, I wanted to protect myself and others.

I no longer had a sewing machine, so I started watching YouTube, (I don't have a television), gathered some fabrics, and stitched colourful face masks with washable filters inside them!

A friend asked me to help cut squares to make lavender bags, which I did, but I knew I would need to sew them with a machine.

I sold a shawl I hand-crocheted, went to Lidl and bought a Singer machine. Weeks later, I bought a Brother machine at a local sewing machine shop, and I fell in love with sewing again!

I would buy fabric remnants from a local woman in the market, who made African clothing, and I used them to make face masks with matching pouches, which I sold in shops. 

After some time, I moved onto handbags and specialised in using African Ankara, Dutch Wax fabrics, which would be from dress-making remnants and pre-loved clothing. I also use organic cotton fabrics by request from customers wanting me to make a bag for them. 

Now, my range is growing. I hand draft my own patterns, many from memory or an idea in my head, to make: reusable accessories, baby and children’s apparel, travel accessories, interior accessories, reusable wellness products. In 2021, I started selling what I make, as a small business owner.

Low waste is important to me, so any remnants are made into lavender bags, key rings, lanyards, hair scrunchies, headbands, card holders and bunting. Also, reusable un paper towels, including, crocheted organic cotton face scrubbies and coasters.

Inclusivity is important to me, so everything I make is gender-inclusive because colour, pattern and design are for you! 

As well as our African fabrics, we also use: Liberty, William Morris, V & A Collection, Kaffe Fasset, Tula Pink, Alexander Henry and Riley Blake. You may see a large piece or flash of these other fabrics in one of my products. 

Thank you for reading about us and happy shopping!

Marcia Hamilton :)