About Me
I have been sewing and creating craft since I was child. My Mother was a fantastic seamstress, and living in sunny Australia I would help her after school, which inevitably led to experimenting with making and designing myself (and yes, Mum, if you read this there certainly were some ‘experiments’ for want of a better word)
As I grew, so did my love for all things design related – excelling in Design & Media Studies at school, I went on to study fashion which led to my working in the textile industry both in Australia and London. Diversions led me into Architecture and studying Architectural Interior Design which is my other passion. Although you may think I spread fluff and sparkles everywhere (which I do..) I also have a thing for concrete & steel and mixing modern with traditional architecture. I was lucky enough to help the Architectural team on the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall.
In amongst all of that, I somehow managed to set up my own clothing line as a hobby then a business which took me on many adventures – starting out at a market stall in Greenwich Market (where I first met some of my closest friends, mentors, & buddies) to exhibiting at Fairfield Halls in Croydon, where I met the amazing Karen Gilbert and set up a shop and design studio together ‘Elegantly Waisted’ inevitably leading me to Camden Market ‘The Lock’ which started my wholesaling into shops, exhibiting at big events such as the Excel Centre, Olympia II, Londonize in Madrid, Setting up the legendary workshop and studio at ‘Trinity Buoy Wharf’ … and at that peak is when I felt I wanted something to feed my soul rather than line my pocket, and so the teacher was born…
My teaching started at Trinity Buoy Wharf- some of you may remember those early days of being collected from the station in my Pink Fairway Taxi and chauffeured to the pink sparkly fluffy workshop, drinking mint tea fresh from my herb garden… Those early days of teaching were big lessons to me as well as what really mattered with teaching someone a new skill, and what we all gain – as I always say..‘It’s not just about the sewing’
I have been teaching sewing and craft sessions for well over 8 years to both adults and children. Establishing myself as a professional in my field while keeping a very relaxed attitude and always keeping my classes fun, interesting and most of all quirky with a real passion for vintage and alternative style.
Projects that I love to be involved in are those that feed my soul, while I feed the classes thirst for creativity. I am thoroughly enjoying working with Natalee & Kara on the various projects they run on self esteem and confidence building in Centres around London as part of Step Up London and Team Consultancy. I teach Sewing classes for Adults at Children’s Centres in Bexley & Royal Borough of Greenwich, these classes fill me with joy and allow me to be involved with adults that may not always have the opportunity to get to learn new skills such as sewing.
I have worked with organisations including:
RHS Garden Hyde Hall 2008 , 2009 & 2010 – Working with ‘Lara Howard’ Events Co-ordinator at RHS Garden Hyde Hall. Being involved in event open days at the Gardens. Children’s Sewing Art Projects Workshops involving 80 – 100 children in a day making and creating various projects including: Eco sewing, Cushions & Appliqué inspired by the gardens. With each open day session producing a group patchwork.
The Knitting & Stitching Shows – 2013, 2014 & 2015- Working with ‘Wendy Gardiner’ – Workshop Manager – Upper Street Events.
Delivering creative sewing workshops from design inspired clothing to artistic bunting & home-wares all with own designs & how-to-guides and kits for each participant.
– Working with groups of up to16 participants per session. Mixtures of age and ability – women & children – Making, Creating and Sewing. The most recent show (Spring 2015) sold out all of my sessions totalling around 95 participants within my workshops.
Amy Lame: Working with the LGBT community at her club ‘Duckie’ (2009)
– Hosting an evening making ‘Fancy Pants’ on stage. This workshop & exhibition involved over 50 participants sewing and creating on stage.
Davenant School: Victoria Kennedy Year 9 Master Class in sewing.
Childrens Centres & Housing Associations:-
Working with Corporate & Government Organisations to develop Courses to help harness creativity within deprived areas. These Sewing Classes were so much more than the new skills each participant achieved. Throughout my courses and times working with these organisations I was able to evaluate the following out of each participant:-
Building confidence, Helping to create products to sell, Giving skills for business, Helping build relationships and rapport within the community, Experience in sewing, Recognising their own abilities & of course Education
Some of the Centres I have worked with are:-
Vista Field Children’s Centre: (2012, 2013) Beverley Bernstein – Head of Vista Field & Eltham Children’s Centre Federation.
St Augustines Children’s Centre: (2014) Janice Ward-Wilson -Under 10s Team Leader, Thriving Families Support Services
North End & North Heath Children’s Centre: (2013) t.ea.m consultancy
Slade Green: (2013) t.ea.m consultancy
Ellen Brown Childrens Centre: (2010) Helen Harrison
Housing Association Projects:-
Erith Park & Orbit Housing: 2013, 2014 Craig Atkins: Orbit East & South – Community Investment Manager
These courses & workshops were self-marketed through my website, flyer distribution & word of mouth. One day a week workshops for Adults & after school clubs for Children to gain confidence, make connections / friends & learn skills. Adults classes were fully booked with 10 – 12 in a session (2-a day) Childrens sessions 8-10 kids (1 a day) in 10 week batches (totalling around 50 community participants)
Workshop / Residency:
Trinity Buoy Wharf: ‘Docklands most exciting Arts Quarter’ Tenant & resident from: 2007 – 2010
– Studio space for production, classes & workshops.
– Open Studio Workshops: throughout the year for various events at the workshop space – exhibiting & creating fun workshops for all.
– National Open House Events: Architectural inspired workshops for kids: (2009) Childrens ‘Design a ‘wearable building’ workshops where kids can draw, sew, create an outfit inspired by an Iconic London Building.
– Working in conjunction with an array of artists within the studio complex:-
* F/Z Theatre Company (2008) -Cabaret evening for the 10th Anniversary at Trinity Buoy Wharf. Helping with choreography of garments & movement of dancers & show.
* Derek Seaward & Jesse Seaward Photography (photography projects)
* Seventeen Events Ltd (Sustainable Sewing Workshops)
Radio & Media:2009: Featured on 2 episodes on BBC London Radio – Discussing the value of Sewing Classes – the influences of working in groups ‘Sewing Circles’ and produced a sewing project while the radio was on air:-
Magazines & Local Press:
Sew Magazine, Wharf Newspaper, Docklands Newspaper, Sunday Times (Halloween Special for kids)
http://misslibbyrose.com/news-and-testimonials/
My kids sewing courses, workshops & classes are what keep me young at heart, my mind bustling for new ideas and they keep that song singing and whistle whistling.. I teach crafts and sewing methods for youngsters from 4+, I also teach sewing, designing and using the sewing machines to 8+.
I am often invited to teach sewing courses & sewing workshops in schools, Children’s Centres, Community Clubs and other venues and events. Please do get in touch if you are interested in running workshops in your centre and we can discuss requirements. I am fully CRB checked and hold public liability and products insurance.
Current Projects
Current projects Miss Libby Rose is involved with are:
Hobbycraft: Since 2016 I have been working in partnership with Hobbycraft, launching the Pink Sewing Bus , travelling to many of the stores, while also working with the online team on creating online tutorials for the Hobbycraft Blog! The Pink sewing bus was launched in May 2016 at Mycenae House, Blackheath and Hobbycraft Reading Store which followed with a magical whirlwind tour some with and some without the Pink Sewing Bus (due to the distance) but it has been wonderful to be welcomed by so many stores and I thoroughly enjoyed the store visits!
Twisted Thread: Knitting and Stitching Shows: Teaching in the Learning Curve at Olympia, Alexandra Palace & Dublin!
Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fair: Sewing classes and workshops at Hampton Court
Previous Projects:
Mycenae House: Mycenae House and Gardens is a community hub in South east London. It serves the Westcombe Park, Blackheath and Greenwich communities. I run after school clubs for kids, adults evening and weekend classes for adults,
Half term workshops: Ottie and the Bea: Fabulous Childrens Shop in Blackheath Standard, Kids sewing, making & designing workshops
Orbit Housing Association: working with groups of Adults Beginners, Adults Advanced and Kids After School Clubs – fully funded by Orbit Housing these courses reach out to those who may not be able to access these sort of courses in every day life.
Step Up Project: Community based training in Bexley Borough with TEAM Consultancy
St Augustines Childrens Centre & West Street Childrens Centre: Working with Bexley – training Mums in beginners and advanced sewing classes
Conservatoire Blackheath
Davenant School: working with inspiring Teenagers in the world of sewing, making and Textiles
Vista Park Childrens Centre: Running Courses for Mums in the Childrens Centre.
Contact Me
Tel: 07960 761 566
E: misslibbyrose@gmail.com
All times are by appointment only – please contact me for a time.
