I have always been passionate about fashion and cannot remember a time when I did not sew.  However, it was the arrival in my life of Great Auntie Margaret’s hand Singer sewing machine that enabled me to make my first garment at the age of 9.  I have been hooked ever since!

I formalised my skills by qualifying in design, pattern cutting and garment construction at degree level with City & Guilds and have undertaken countless private commissions in ladies daywear, special occasionwear, tailoring, bridal, headwear, menswear and dancewear gaining a breadth of experience and expertise with a special interest in non-standard sizing and fitting.

I currently teach garment construction skills for the Northern College of Costume.  I have taught non-vocational dressmaking, City & Guilds Fashion, BTech National Diploma Fashion & Clothing, Foundation Degree Fashion & Costume.   

I became increasingly frustrated at the withdrawal of garment construction and pattern cutting courses, both vocational and non-vocational, for adult learners and the growing emphasis on design rather than high quality practical skills.  I found I had learners enrolled on vocational courses that did not meet their aims.  Not everyone who wants to learn to sew requires or needs a qualification but what they repeatedly told me is that they wanted to learn good practical skills from an experienced, qualified teacher.

In 2005 I decided to do something to address this and set up UCTuition.  As an independent teacher I can now offer you what you actually want in a way that fits in with your life.  I am committed to offering you the highest quality teaching to help you produce professionally finished, stylish garments with a fantastic fit.

For students who would like to gain a recoginised qualification I am delighted to offer level 1 and 2 City and Guilds Fashion and Pattern Cutting.

I am lucky to run a business I love and grateful for the loyalty students continue to show to me and my classes.  UCTuition students are enthusiastic, friendly and make fabulous, stylish, well fitted garments.  Some of my students have gone onto fashion and costume degree courses, the Northern College of Costume, to work in theatres, industry, as designer/makers and one returned to her native Zambia with enough skills to set up her own dressmaking business. 

I love to hear what UCTuition students past  and present are doing and always delighted to add photographs of their fabulous garments to the student gallery.