Although I grew up in the 1970s, all that long hair, flares and brown decor, my parents we’re firmly embedded in the make do and mend era. My siblings and I were clothed in hand-knitted and hand-sewn garments. Many of our toys were made from scraps of wood, broom handles, old pram wheels, nothing went to waste! We were encouraged to make our own ‘things’ from the scraps of fabric and wool, bits of wood, nails and wire. This early introduction to the home spun has stayed with me, and has heavily influenced my work. From family traditions, working out how to make something from what you already have. From that feeling of freedom we had when playing outside in the beautiful countryside and now from my own home and garden. I use both machine and hand-sewn drawn elements combined with repurposed fabrics to create my two and three-dimensional unique textile pieces.