LYDIA - MADE MY WARDROBE
There are people that come in to your life that you feel very blessed to know. Lydia is one of those people. We met in early 2018, when she was setting up Threadworks, her work space in London where she puts on a diverse range of garment sewing workshops. Since then, we have collaborated to teach a number of workshops, and she has taught me the joy that can be found when you share your skills with others. It is thanks to Lydia that I fell back in love with making my own clothes. She has just released her Autumn 2019 workshop series, including bikinis, lingerie, dungarees and embroidery, find out more here. Also why not check her out on Instagram while you’re at it!
Lydia has many strings to her bow, so this is her journey in a nutshell, in her own words:
On the 1st January 2016 I started creating my dream wardrobe. By the end of the year I had made over 60 garments and given away all the clothes I had ever bought from shops. Since the 1st January 2017 I have only worn clothes I have made. If you would like to know more about why I went on this journey please have a read of my blog. I still have an infinite number of garments I would like to design and make for my wardrobe, so this project is far from over. When I am not making my own dream wardrobe come to life I work as a freelance seamstress and designer from my studio Threadworks in London.
Where it all began, Lydia’s wardrobe.
What is a typical work day for you?
At the moment there is no typical day! My background is in costume design and making for theatre and dance, which is still my main role. I also teach sewing workshops from my studio in London and around the UK. More recently have been touring and performing in a theatre production about sewing called dressed. Last year I set up Threadworks, a London-based textile studio. Let’s just say it’s been a busy couple of years!
How and where did you learn your skill as a costume maker?
I did a two year apprenticeship, then went freelance and have been learning on the job ever since. I love that every new project teaches me new skills.
“My top tip for home sewers? Make lots of mistakes. Unpicking is literally the only way to get better.”
What is the best thing you were taught when you were starting out?
I think one of the most important skills I have had to learn is how fabric behaves. Every single fabric is different and you need to find the right one for what you are trying to create. That is knowledge that can only be built up over time.
What is your top tip for home sewers?
Make lots of mistakes. Unpicking is literally the only way to get better.
What is your favourite tool to use at work?
My crystal pattern weights, my 8 inch shears and my extra fine long pins. But most of all my fleet of PFAFF machines.
What is your favourite fabric to sew?
I absolutely love anything with a beautiful drape.
What is the most exciting project you’ve ever worked on?
Working with my three best friends on dressed. was one of the most stretching but fulfilling creative experiences of my career. The show was so personal but had so much love and care put in to it. I had complete creative freedom to create whatever I wanted costume-wise which is always a bonus.
What is the best part of your job?
That I don’t sit at a computer all day! That I get to be part of some incredible creative teams. And that I am forever searching for beauty...
How do you get ideas for making new things for yourself? I am always amazed at the way you dream up a design and are so inspired by fabric, for example your table cloth shirt, does the fabric always come first?
Yes fabric does tend to come first. I have a huge stash that I am working my way though. But also I’m very functional. I make what I need for what I’m about to do. I love it when its very immediate. Last week I decided I wanted to go to a yoga class after work but I didn’t have any sportswear with me so I quickly sewed up a sports bra and shorts before the class started.
What is your development process, do you make toiles to try things out before settling on a design?
I should make more toiles than I do. I always want to move on to the real fabric straight away. But when I’m working for someone else I will toile up first to make sure we are on the same page.
“It’s my most honest way of being in the world. It is my way of bringing art into every single day.”
What is your approach to pattern cutting?
Hahaaa it’s improved a lot since working with you! It used to be very free form. But I have had to become more methodical and consistent since teaching my patterns. Now that I am digitising them to sell online, they have to be perfect down to the last millimetre. You have helped me get to that stage which I am so grateful for!
What is the most surprising thing you’ve made for yourself that you had no idea how to make before starting it?
Every single thing I’ve made surprised me! I never feel like I know how to make anything until I make it! Jeans, corsets, coats, bras.
What does making your own clothes mean to you?
It’s my most honest way of being in the world. It is my way of bringing art into every single day.
Do your garments tell a story?
They all do but sometimes I don’t realise what those stories are until after I have made and worn them for a while.
“the best part of my job? That I don’t sit at a computer all day! That I get to be part of some incredible creative teams. And that I am forever searching for beauty.”
What is your work space like?
I love my new studio in Soho. Its full of light and I’m surrounded by other artists. It’s also 30 seconds from Berwick Street fabric shops which is super handy!
What garment do you always reach for on days when you don’t know what to wear?
Dungarees! Every time.
All images belong to Lydia unless otherwise stated, and have been used with her permission.