Hi, my name is Louise Parkes

As I came from an artistic background, my grandmother was a tailoress, my grandfather a carpenter, and one of my aunts a seamstress and upholsterer, it was inevitable that I was also going to follow in the same footsteps. I made my 1st garment, which was a spotted green and white skirt, which looking back was quite awful but I was only 12 years of age. From the beginning since I first picked up a needle and thread I was hooked and am still passionate about the craft today. For me sewing is like breathing, I just have to do it! In the early days I was contentded with dressmaking and still make most of my own clothes today. Over the years I have attended tailoring courses and learning all about couture clothing. I also have an interest in patchwork quilting although my real interest lies in machine embroidery using an embroidery unit and free machine embroidery.

I have made bridesmaid dresses and accessories and at one point considered making my living creating bridal ware. However as I have been making my own curtains for years I was being asked, with some frequency, to make curtains and blinds for others.; that it seemed the most natural path to go down. So I attended college to gain the city and guilds qualification I needed in order to turn a hobby into a business. Fortunately, due to the current fashion trend, I can still exercise my passion for embroidery with my soft furnishings and my love of the design elements helps me to rise to the challenge of creating something different...

My favourite things are fabulous fabrics, rich luscious velvets, sumptuous silks that give the opportunity to create something with that finishing touch that can turn a luxurious item into something truly wonderful and unique.

For those of you who would like to learn how to make your own, please
see my workshop page.