September 2026

Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Pam and live in the North of England in the liquorice capital of the world, famous for its coin shaped discs stamped with an impression of the town’s Norman castle.

I’ve worked in education for the last 21 years, from when my daughter started Nursery.  I’ve worked mostly in EYFS, with 3/4 year olds, but since last September I’m with teenagers (goodness - the hormones!!)

I cannot imagine going back to my previous life in an office as a Paralegal PA (which I absolutely loved), especially as I now work in the SEN provision of a private school and have additional holidays to even the state system.

This leaves me plenty of time to indulge in my hobbies - sewing is obviously my first love, but I have had an allotment for the last 26 years - which, just like sewing, I’m no expert on, you are always learning (or you should be, because you don’t know what you don’t know).

As well as sewing and the allotment I’m also a runner (of sorts) and volunteer as a Run Director at my local parkrun.  Again I am trying to be a better runner, in that whilst I have been able to run long distances recreationally, my MO to date has been to pay to enter races and then get injured before they happen.

When, why and how did you start sewing?

I would say I’ve spent most of my life sewing.  My Grandad bought me a pink hand crank machine that made a chain stitch when I can only have been 6 or 7, although I didn’t really make anything.  In school there was lots of cross stitch and hand sewing, until I got to high school and we got to use the Bernina 830.  I did Needlework CSE, and used my mum’s Jones machine at home.  

Back in the day before the consumerism of pattern and fabric stashes, when a pattern and a fabric were bought and a garment made, my mum used to sew many of our clothes for my brother and I growing up.  I remember many dresses with little quilted waistcoats and I had a lovely red cape in primary school, my brother had trousers made until he started high school.

In my teenage years, and when I had 20:20 vision, I did a lot of cross stitch (anyone remember Leisure Arts).  I used to use fine linen and 2 threads of DMC - like I say, 20:20 vision.

Looking a little way back in our family tree many ancestors were tailors, so maybe it’s in the blood.

When I started my first job after college I went to Lewis’s in Leeds and bought a fairly basic Brother which I had for more years than I care to remember and which towards the end I wanted to throw out the window and nearly put me off sewing - looking back it probably just needed a service, but it definitely put me off Brother as a brand. I finally did a deal and got a Janome Memory Craft 7700 QCP and a 6234XL overlocker.

Do you have any sewing rituals you love?

To always have a cup of tea on the go, as anyone who has seen the steam when I’m on TSG virtuals can attest.

I used to listen to music a lot of years ago, but these days it’s more likely to be vlogs on in the background, sometimes sewing but also allotments and comedy podcasts.

Do you have a sewing tool you can’t live without?

Not just one I have to say.

My most excellent Ernest Wright scissors that make a satisfying noise as they cut my fabric.

My seam ripper, which is a lovely wooden handled one from Merchant & Mills - I use it a lot, so I might as well have something that is beautiful.

Finally, my floor standing daylight lamp, which I got from Ally Pally a couple of years ago - less than £50 and it’s made it possible to sew well into darkness.

What made you sign up to ThreadySetGo and why do you love it?

I had attended a number of in person sewcials (the gold standard of which is run by Izzosew, a guest on June’s live event). 

I love Izzy’s in person events held every couple of months, but they are an hour’s drive away so, with time and money costs involved I view them as a treat, and so a virtual works so much better for me at this time.

In the same vein, I tried a number of virtuals.  Most of them seemed to be pay by session, although I think many now do subscriptions.  

My disposable income dictated I wouldn’t be able to attend many on a session by session basis, and TSG had a number of sessions a month for the same price as one from other virtuals.  The value was second to none.

The cost point was, therefore, a no brainer, but it is the host and the format that kept me there.  

Hayley is an excellent host, making sure everyone is involved, but acknowledging if people just want to stay in the background and not get involved in conversations. 

It’s great to see the regulars, but the community is growing and we can then have breakout rooms, making it easier for people to interact.

I joined TSG for the sewcials, but there is so much more, the free forums (of which I am very much a lurker) and now TSG Premium is included in our Think Pink subscription there are the tutorials too.

If you could have your dream, no-expense-spared sewing day what would it look like?

Oh my!! 

A day where time stood still, in a large house with awesome views, doors open to let the warmth and breeze flow through.  

I’d be there with all my favourite sewing friends round the big table sewing up a storm, and I’d take a little inspiration from Izzy and have someone cook lunch and serve afternoon tea and finish the day with some yoga and/or massage.

What’s on the sewing table this week?

I have a few things cut out (which I don’t class as wips because I haven’t started sewing them yet, it’s more what takes my fancy), but imminently - there’s a few Dress a Girl dresses, as September is Dress a Girl month, and I’m on the vlog tour for that.  I also have an ambassador Pattern of the Month for Beyond the Pink Door, a couple of Core tees by Closet Core and a toile of the Lison dress by Cha’Coud.