Sewing is so lovely, peaceful and relaxing.
You can be sitting chatting to somebody but know that at the same time you are making something new.
My mum was always knitting and showed me how to sew. My Nana had an old sewing machine which she gave me. It's a really nice thing to have been passed down. Until now, sewing has had a bit of an old-fashioned image. We've tried to steer away from that and only make quite fashionable clothes.
My business partner Brigitte Mulier and I met working together in Edinburgh. I moved to Canada and Brigitte came over and we ended up living together in this big old house in Montreal. Over that really long winter, it was too cold to go outside and we just sewed to pass the hours away and we really got into dressmaking. Both of us work in clinical research so it's two totally different sides of our life.
When we got back, Brigitte was getting married and asked if I would help make her wedding dress. It was really special. She had a small ceremony with no bridesmaids so it was nice to share that.
For years we mulled over what we could do together, then we had this eureka moment. Brigitte found an article on a sewing salon which had opened in Paris called the Sweat Shop. It was a cafe where you could use sewing machines and attend workshops. It all snowballed from there.
Our launch night for Materialise was incredible. We couldn't believe how many people came along. There was such a buzz. People say the recession means people want to learn how to mend things. I think people want to start creating unique things again; everything on the high street is the same.
Patience helps. We get loads of different ladies and guys coming into the salon. You can tell the people who will want to cut corners and just get it finished and who is really diligent and will take a lot of care. We always say to people: don't do it for too long at a time – take it nice and slow. There is nothing worse than trying to rush it because you just start making mistakes. You definitely need to be in the right mood.
We've had a few guys sign up for workshops and a few popping their heads in. Some just want alterations done and run a mile when we try to show them how to do it. Others are really keen and want to learn how to make shirts and waistcoats.
I love working with a friend. We have never argued. We either love each other's ideas and say, 'Let's do it,' otherwise we don't have a problem saying, 'That sucks, let's try something else.' We're not that similar. Brigitte is more laidback and I'm more manic. We bounce off each other. n
Materialise is at 28 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh. Visit www.lovematerialise.com.
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