Clare Blackmore-Davies - Miss Maker
Tutor
With over 40 years of sewing experience, Clare has a City & Guilds certificate in pattern cutting, passed with distinction, and has studied Swim Wear and Lingerie construction at UAL. She continues to develop her sewing and tailoring skills and enjoys turning her hand to all forms of sewing, design, construction and textile art. Constant learning through both official study and good old fashioned trial, error and practice, means we can offer a great range of classes for all ages and abilities.
Having set up Miss Maker in 2011, Clare designs and delivers a range of courses covering all aspects of machine and hand sewing, pattern cutting and textile art.
Clare Allington - Sew Mama Bear
Guest Tutor
Clare, aka Sew Mama Bear is a qualified fashion designer with a real passion for getting the fit just right. she has been teaching others to sew for over a decade and loves sharing skills with fellow and budding sewists with fun tips for making things easier. Clare enjoys spreading the joy of creating and how fun, fulfilling and mindful it can be.
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Clare is joining us to deliver a range of technical weekend classes in pattern cutting and garment construction.
Tony Rea - Tony R Shirt - MenMakers
Guest Tutor
Tony Rea, a talented sewist and maker, resides in North Cornwall with his wife and two daughters. He is well-known not only as a Brother Ambassador and content creator but also as a standout participant in Series 9 of The Great British Sewing Bee.
Tony's unique and sometimes unorthodox approach to sewing impressed many and carried him through to the final. As a passionate male sewing advocate, he promotes the positive effects of sewing on mental health.
Tony joins us to deliver his 1 day shirt making workshops using his very own Tony R Shirt pattern
Amanda Crewe
Guest Tutor - Knitting
Having learned knitting from her mother and grandmother, Amanda has over 40 years of knitting experience. A skilled and patient tutor, Amanda teaches at a number of local venues, and we are delighted to have her join the Miss Maker team
Amanda Bowden - The Swimming Seamstress
Guest Tutor
Hello I am Amanda Bowden, the Swimming Seamstress, and my mission is to enable folk to make themselves swimming costumes and swimming accessories that fit and in which they feel fabulous. I provide easy-to-follow workshops based at Felixstowe Sewing School, as well as providing on-line classes and mobile workshops.
Melanie Willis
Guest Tutor
Melanie is a self-taught sewing teacher with a passion for sharing the craft. Starting as a hobbyist, she honed her skills through years of practice and now focuses on making sewing accessible for everyone. Known for her clear guidance and creative approach, Melanie helps students of all levels build confidence and expertise.
Elizabeth Moody - Moody corsetry
Corset drafting, construction & styling
I grew up in a house full of historical beauty. My mother collected period clothing, to show at schools and exhibitions - dresses and accessories ranging from 1850 through to the 1960s. I loved nothing more than digging through the chest of gowns, helping my mother organise the garments ready to be shown. ​I am a creative soul, I have studied art, music, textiles, and developed skills in beading and jewellery design. Only when a dear friend introduced me to corsetry in my early 20s did I find my true calling. Now, as a bespoke corset maker with over 10 years of experience, I draw on my love of nature, period fashion and vintage designs to create romantic, delicate and artistic couture. Creating unique and individual corsets and gowns. No two pieces are the same.
Elaine Muggeridge
Guest Tutor
Elaine has a City & Guilds certificate in Upholstery and has been delivering upholstery classes through various providers since 2018. She has a keen interest in textiles and sewing and has in the past worked with Heathcote and Ivory producing samples for their trade customers.
A longstanding part of the Miss Maker team Elaine heads up our upholstery workshop provision as well as delivering daytime, evening and weekend sewing courses.
Charlotte Havard - Wishanger Bespoke Lingerie
Guest Tutor
Charlotte is the custom bra maker behind Wishanger Bespoke.
Already a keen sewist Charlotte developed a love of lingerie making after a chance conversation with a friend who couldn't find anything to meet her needs. Never one to refuse a challenge Charlotte set about learning, drafting and sewing until a
solution (and an addiction) was found.
Charlotte's client base, in addition to those looking for something pretty or unique, includes brides, teens, and clients with fitting issues or post surgical requirements.
In 2022 Charlotte exhibited as a guest artist to the International Bra Sewing Bee Convention and was a category winner in sustainability. Charlotte remains passionate about sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge in making well fitting, comfortable, beautiful lingerie.
Meet our Tutors
