Hello, I'm Emma.
I'm the teacher and maker behind With a Thread.
How it all began
My sewing story started when I was a young teenager, at a friend's house. Her mum was a keen sewer, and one afternoon she showed us how to hand-stitch tiny clothes for our Sylvanian Families. I was hooked.
A few years later, I decided to redecorate my bedroom and made my own curtains and cushion covers. Seeing a room transformed by something I'd made myself was the moment sewing became more than a hobby. About 15 years ago, I started formal sewing lessons at my local adult education centre, and I fell in love all over again.
Why I sew
There's something wonderful about being completely absorbed in the fabric and the stitching; then, at the end, wearing something you've made yourself.
“The sense of achievement and feeling of pride never goes away”
Why I started teaching
People would see my bags and outfits and say, "I wish I could do that." The honest answer is: you can. Sewing isn't a talent you're born with; it's a skill you learn one stitch at a time, and it's much easier with someone beside you showing you how. I know, because that's exactly how I learned.
So I created With a Thread sewing classes: small, friendly groups of just six, a machine for everyone, and ten weeks to go from nervous beginner to confident maker. No judgement, no jargon, and no question too basic.
Now, it’s your turn
Everything I've made started the same way: with a needle, a length of thread, and someone willing to show me how.
Now I'd love to pass that on. Whether you want to make a dress, sew a bag, or simply enjoy a couple of hours completely absorbed in something creative, I'd love to help you make something that’s your own. I can't wait to see what you'll make, handmade with a thread.