Katys Kwilts my Crafty Journey

 

I began to sew when I was about five - my Aunty Dorothy was making soft toys and I wouldn't take "no you are too young" as a reason why I couldn't do the same. A visit to a nearby craft shop and I had my first kit. It was a little felt elephant and he started my journey to owning my own business. Admittedly there were a few detours on the way, teachers training college for 3 years, Fire Brigade and Police admin all led me to the offer of early retirement which gave me the opportunity to work at what I loved.

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During the years in-between I have indulged in a few different crafts, cross stitch, knitting, dressmaking, lacemaking and all things in-between but it was only when I moved to near Malton that I found my passion for patchwork. When I took early retirement I didn't really know what I wanted to do except I knew it had to be something I was passionate about - crafts. I went back to college and gained my City and Guilds Diploma in delivering adult learning as I knew I wanted to share my experience.

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I first opened Katys Kwilts  in 2006 initially to offer longarm quilting to patchworkers. I realised that I preferred to be with like minded people so soon after that classes followed and then at the request of those attending classes who were struggling to source fabrics I opened the shop.

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Now I am able to indulge my interest in crafts with my early wish to pass on knowledge and experience. I prefer to call it inspiring and coaching rather than teaching as it is always a joint journey with people who are also keen to learn a new skill or to enhance what they already know. the best thing about what I do now are the people I meet. I have made many friends through this joint need to make things - I guess that I have come full circle from the age of five - still crafting and still loving it.

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I have now taken on a new chapter. That first felt elephant led onto making quite a few soft toys including teddy bears of different sizes. I have held Teddy making classes using Christie Bears patterns and supplies. Now thanks to Christie Bears, I have taken on their Teddy Bear  patterns and so you can find all your supplies in one place I am building a stock of fur, joints, eyes, paw fabric and accessories. This seems to have completed the circle!

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 Come and visit me - make an appointment by clicking here - I can’t wait to meet you and see what you’re creating.