Meet the Maker: Sew Hayley Jane

Ahead of our first stop on the Sewisfaction 2019 tour, we have a very special ‘Meet the Maker’ with host and craft box extroidanaire, Hayley of Sew Hayley Jane.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Hey, I’m Hayley and I run SewHayleyJane – a dressmaking and sewing subscription box company. This month I am celebrating three whole years since I handed in my notice at my old job working as a deputy manager for a day service for adults with communication needs to start working on SewHayleyJane full time. A gamble that thankfully has really paid off!

I live on the south coast of England with my husband and 15 month old whirlwind of a daughter Mia and try to squeeze in some sewing every day whilst juggling a business with a little one.

Many cups of tea are consumed during the day!

How did you get into sewing?

I’ve always been fairly crafty and have tried my hand at jewellery making and cake decorating but sewing has always stuck around. Both my mum and my nan used to sew and I was lucky that my school offered textiles as a GCSE option. Through collage and university sewing took a back seat but I got back into it during my 40s/50s vintage phase.

I found a few sewing blogs that were specifically about vintage style sewing and drafted my own circle skirt which I loved. Not long after that the first series of the Great British Sewing Bee aired and a whole new wealth of sewing blogs and independent pattern designers opened up to me.

The vintage phase fizzled out but the sewing has carried on.

What’s your favourite part of working in the sewing industry?

I love all the amazing, creative and talented independent designers, makers and business that are around now and sourcing gorgeous goodies for my customers gives me so much pleasure. Even more so when I can work on a custom design with someone that is an exclusive for my subscribers.

What’s in your sewing queue right now?

Part of my pledge for Me Made May this year is to work on a summer wardrobe that will keep me cool, comfortable and still, hopefully, somewhat stylish in the heat. So I have a full length pair of Winslow Culottes from Helen’s Closet in a lightweight viscose, a maxi length Nina Lee Mayfair Dress and a Tilly and the Buttons Nora top in a leopard print jersey that I sent out in this months SewHayleyJane boxes.

Tell us a fun fact about you?

After university I was looking for a way to travel so I worked in Rome for three months as an au pair for 4 year old twins. I spent most of the time when I wasn’t working eating pizza, pasta and gelato and hitting up every tourist spot possible.

I made some great memories there and the summer after I had no plans so caught a last minute flight to California for a week to hang with a friend I made whilst in Rome.

I love travelling and hope to start seeing more of the world again soon.

Finally, why should people come down to the Sew Hayley Jane pop up this weekend?

Fabric shops selling gorgeous and quality dressmaking fabrics are few and far between in Hampshire so a lot of shopping has to be done online. But nothing beats actually seeing and touching the fabric in real life first. I know I’m excited to see what Sheona will bring and can’t wait to spend a whole day meeting lots of lovely customers and chatting sewing. Plus there’ll be some yummy treats from the bakery close by!

For more from the fabulous Hayley, why not follow her over on Instagram (@SewHayleyJane) or subscribe to one of her amazing boxes over at sewhayleyjane.com and why not come and say hi to her in person when we pop up in Romsey on Saturday 18th June – RSVP isn’t essential but you can tell us you’re coming here.