I grew up listening to the sound of a sewing machine as my Mum would sew all the time. The dining table was never used to eat at, unless we had guests, as it was covered in fabric and Mum's sewing machine! Childhood boredom was done away with projects. starting with sewing mats for my Cindy House, then embroidery and harder sewing projects. There was always something to sew, and a wonderful cupboard full of treasures to look through of my Mum's - but you had to be careful as it might all fall on you as you opened the door!
As I grew older I realised that the table in the corner of the lounge was actually a Singer sewing machine that belonged to by Great-Grandmother, and loved hearing stories about how she ran a dress making business from home with her sister. My Mum grew up in their household, and her job when she got home from school was to thread lots of needles ready for hand sewing. One of my favourite stories was about the 'Lady from Louth' who would come for dress fittings, but refuse to give Mum her name as she was called Mrs Ramsbottom.
Skills passed to me by my Mum, where passed to her by her Grandmother, and from generations before that. I love the heritage of sewing that is in my family, and it drives my passion to create with needle and thread.
I have delved into many creative outlets over the years, learning to make Honiton Lace at school, and crochet, knitting, embroidery and sewing at home. But I always come back to sewing. I love cutting up fabric and sewing it back together into something that didn't exist before.
My Etsy shop has been named for my Great-Grandmother, Annie Thornalley. In it I aim to make pieces that will last to become heirlooms for your family. Quilts that will be snuggled under every Christmas, and used to built sofa forts. Sewing accessories that will be a constant part of your life. Eco-friendly cloth bags and coffee cup sleeves to help reduce your plastic footprint. And unique décor for your walls that will become part of what feels like home.
Using traditional methods and modern materials, I aim to create things that stand the test of time, as an antidote to fast fashion and throwaway pieces to be changed every season. Cotton uses a lot of resources to grow, and I aim to use all the fabric I purchase for the shop, even the tiniest scraps with become part of my miniature patchwork.