69 Bath road - Felixstowe - Suffolk
07787 981 493

About Amanda

My mum taught me how to sew – for which I will be eternally grateful!  There has never been a time when I haven’t had something on the go.  I spent my youth making toys, embroidering, making splendid cushions for our family caravan (with quilted mushrooms on them), I made my first outfit when I was 9 – a pair of summer shorts, I made my first quilt when I was 10 and I have never looked back and here I am running my very own Sewing School teaching sewing, dressmaking, embroidery and patchwork in the lovely town of Felixstowe, near Ipswich, Suffolk.  I wanted to share my love of sewing with beginners and more advanced textile crafters by setting up my own classroom to deliver a wide range of lessons, workshops and courses.

My childhood love of sewing inspired me to study embroidery and garment construction at the London College of Fashion for two years before I went on the University of West England to study for a Degree in Fashion and Textiles.  After which I worked for an evening wear designer and then went into Fashion and Art PR and marketing.  I then went to work for the Women’s Voluntary Service as an internal communications manager at which point the volunteering bug got me and I ended up working at Battersea Arts Centre on an amazing production of Macbeth – which was performed at The Globe Theatre, London.  I loved working with that group of teenagers, they were funny, demanding, motivating and engaging creatures and I seemed to be able to get on with them.  It was a combination of working with these young people and missing my hands-on textile work which prompted me to apply to Roehampton Institute to take a post graduate course in teaching Design and Technology – with a specialism in textiles.  My husband and I decided to move out of London and return to his home county of Suffolk where I spent over 15 years teaching Design and Technology in various Suffolk Schools.  I took the brave decision to leave my job as a Design and Technology Teacher after an extended period of illness (Depression is an unforgiving beast) and took the plunge by setting up my very own, lovely sewing school.  Massively supported and encouraged by my local W.I (WILLF – Women’s Institute Lovely Ladies of Felixstowe) I just love teaching sewing, embroidery, dressmaking and crafting.  I really, really enjoy being with people, I love seeing people proud of what they have made and being able to pass on that sense of achievement and confidence – teaching sewing is a very affirming activity.  In my 50s I took up marathon sea swimming and winter ice swimming.  From there I developed a keen interest and desire to make my own swimming costumes to reflect my personality.  As a plus size athelete it seems the choices for swimming costumes designed for exercise and endurance seemed to only be available in black!  If I’m not sewing and baking I’ll be swimming.

That’s it – not too complicated – be honest and do what you love.  Sewing is good for the soul!

Amanda xx

Ps – I am also wicked at baking – cake is also good for the soul! 

Please leave a comment below if you wish!

11 Responses

  1. Marion Barnes says:

    Hi Amanda
    I am Marion from SEFWI, I have visited WILLF several times.

    Thrilled that you have opened the Sewing School and hope it is a huge success for you.
    Wendy Jary was very impressed when she popped over on Saturday, I had hoped to be there but I was cooking a meal for 80 at our sailing club that evening and was rather pushed for time!

    Congratulations

    Marion

    • tim says:

      Hi Marion,

      Thank you very much for your comment – it’s great to know that people are as enthusiastic about sewing as I am! Sounds like you had a very busy day – it was great to meet Wendy who was lovely and also send me a very nice thank you message. Yours, in sewiness, Amanda

  2. Helen hazon says:

    Hello Amanda.
    I’ve just found your website!! What a brilliant idea -I hope you have great success.
    Helen

    • tim says:

      Hi Helen. Lovely to hear from you and thank you for your good wishes. It would be lovely to catch up, why don’t you come over for a cuppa and you can see the classroom…..bring some sewing with you xx

  3. Claire Gledhill says:

    Hi Amanda,
    Lovely to meet you today at The Body Shop in Ipswich.
    I absolutely love your website and am very interested in coming to your classes and will certainly look to book into helping with the sewathon fundraiser, am tempted to come for the whole day! I have quite a bit of fabric I could donate too. I will be in touch to book a slot or three!
    Kind regards,
    Claire x

  4. Lyn says:

    I can thoroughly recommend classes at the Felixstowe Sewing School. Amanda gives everyone her attention at all stages of their sewing project. I am half way through my current course with her but have learnt so much already. Amanda is patient, kind and fun, I will certainly be attending more classes with her to take the step from sewing small craft items to clothing to another level. It’s lovely to spend time with like-minded people in a relaxed and informative environment. Well done Amanda, keep up the good work!

  5. Nicki Baker says:

    Hi Amanda, I wanted to post a message to anyone that was thinking of taking one of your courses.

    I have over the last few months attended a number of your courses and can’t sing your praises enough 🙂

    As a 40 something mum to 2 now grown up boys & a husband that works away from home I had found myself in the position of suffering from ’empty nest syndrome’ as many of us do & found I was filling my time by just spending more time at work 🙁 Since finding FSS I have rediscovered my love of sewing & now use my time doing something I enjoy, sharing time with some lovely ladies & not forgetting you & your fabulous sense of humour !!!

    If anyone is thinking they are not sure about booking a course on their own, just do it, you will meet some great people & have a laugh along the way, there is always a smile waiting for you at FSS 🙂 X

  6. Mrs Margaret Fitton says:

    Have now recovered from a very long illness and needed to get back to making things. A long time ago when FSS had just started, I went on a Friday evening to see what was what!
    I was absolutely amazed at the organisation that I found. not to mention the lovely folk who were there, actually helped on the very first Sew a Thon that made simple dresses for girls in Africa, it was a very humbling experience ! and so enjoyable………Amanda and her Husband Tim, are just about the nicest people you could wish to find, and so knowledgeable, always making things fun to do!!!
    I have just asked Tim to call me back to arrange collection of my Sewing Machine and Over-locker so they are fit for purpose having stood unused for nearly 5 years !!!!

  7. Margaret Fitton says:

    Just an update to the above, Tim came to my home and carried out a full service ( and repair) to both my sewing machine and over locker, he was extremely pleasant and proficient, both machines are now ready for some serious use !!!
    I would recommend Tim to anybody who wants an honest reliable and knowledgeable chap to sort out your problems or servicing to your sewing machines.

  8. Carole Whitrdge says:

    Amanda, you popped up on my instagram feed (sewing and painting only!) and I am so delighted to meet you. I grew up in Scotland, but now live in Oregon and I am crazy about sewing. I make quilts and fairly simple clothes. I cannot believe that you get in the sea and swim … in the winter!! I’ll be reading your blog and following along in instagram.

  9. Clara Osenie says:

    Hi Amanda
    This is Clara; I’ve just moved to Suffolk after living in London for 21 years. I’d like to carry on with sewing lessons if Felixstowe is not too far away from me.

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