How Sewing Shapes Confidence and Identity with Lucy from Sew Essential

In this episode, Lucy from Sew Essential shares her journey from passionate home sewist to running one of the UK’s best-known sewing businesses. 

We talk about confidence, creativity, and how sewing can quietly shape the way we see ourselves. 

Lucy reflects on the evolution of the sewing community, the pressure of perfection online, and why experimentation and “getting it wrong” are such important parts of the creative process. 

A thoughtful conversation about sewing, identity, community, and the deeper value of making things by hand.

Key Takeaways:

• Lucy began sewing a little later in life after Sew Essential was founded by her husband. 
• Lucy thinks we shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes - it's how we learn best!
• She has developed lots of tutorials on the Sew Essential website and on her YouTube channel to help people get over barriers and get the most from their sewing.
• Lucy feels the role of community and sharing knowledge in sewing is so important and she finds it very rewarding.

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Guest Details: 

Website: https://www.sewessential.co.uk

Instagram: @sewessentialuk

YouTube: @sewessential

Pinterest: Sewessentialuk

Facebook: Sew Essential

Affiliate Links:

• Thready Set Go - https://threadysetgo.com

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Chapters

00:00 Lucy’s Sewing Journey

05:20 The Impact of Sewing on Confidence and Mental Health

11:11 Overcoming Fear in Sewing

15:02 Essential Sewing Techniques and Tips

15:58 Revamping the SoEssential Website

19:38 The Rewards of Teaching Sewing

22:16 The Joy of Sewing and Personal Growth

25:04 Maintaining Your Sewing Machine

28:39 Exciting Developments at SoEssential

31:15 Fun and Games: This or That with Lucy

32:13 Introduction to the Podcast and Community Engagement

32:39 Closing Thoughts and Invitation to Join Substack

Transcript

Gemma Daly (00:11)
Lucy, welcome to the Sewing Social podcast. I'm so happy to have you on today.

Lucy (00:16)
hi, Gemma. Yeah, really pleased to be here.

Gemma Daly (00:18)
Lovely. I was wondering if you could introduce yourself to the listeners.

Lucy (00:22)
Yeah, sure. So I'm Lucy. I'm one of the business owners at Sew Essential. Me and my husband run the business together with our small team and we're an e-commerce site. We sell everything you could imagine for sewing. And then we've also got a YouTube channel with over 110,000 subscribers now that is kind of like a really lively community and kind of how we engage with our customers.

base despite being online rather than bricks and mortar. yeah.

Gemma Daly (00:54)
Wow, that's amazing! That's a lot of subscribers! So

I was wondering if you could tell us about where your own sewing journey began?

Lucy (01:05)
Yeah, sure. So I was thinking about this this morning, actually, and I thought, I think a lot of people you speak to probably were into sewing and then the business developed out of that. But it was kind of the other way round for me. So the usual sort of made a tea cozy and a peg bag at school when I was about 12. Vague memories of like a My Little Pony sewing machine at some point when I was a kid.

And then didn't really do anything then after that from the age of about 12 onwards. I've always been creative and I've always enjoyed artistic things, but the sewing kind of just fell by the wayside. And ⁓ then when I was in my mid-twenties, I would say I met my husband, but I didn't because we actually knew each other when we were kids. So, but we re-met.

got together and at the time he'd got this e-commerce website selling sewing supplies. I was in a corporate job and I paid a vague bit of attention to it, but not really. had my own sort of focus, my own career and whatever. And we kind carried along happily like that. And then got to the point, he started the business in about 2004 and then in about 2004,

14, 15, I took voluntary redundancy from my corporate job because we by that point had our first child and we wanted a second child and yeah I took voluntary redundancy because that job just didn't suit like the family life we wanted to have.

And at the time, Ed's business, whereas when he first started it, obviously the e-commerce world and the dot-com boom and all of that was really new. And really you could just put stuff on a website and it sold. And, know, the biggest barrier you had to overcome back then was convincing people to make a payment online. That was like, that was the number one barrier.

Gemma Daly (02:57)
Yeah.

Lucy (03:00)
But by the time we got to 2015, it became apparent really that we needed to do some proper marketing. ⁓ Social media was becoming more more important. And so, our youngest child was one by this point. And I said, well, I'll help you. At which point, I didn't know how to sew ⁓ I didn't know what a hashtag was. I it was literally like I had no idea.

it was just a good opportunity, I guess, to kind of get involved and get started. had a bit of shown the basics, but really and truly, most I've learned in my sewing journey is just by experimentation, having a go, know, YouTube tutorials. And I suppose I just then took that on.

for our business and kind of thought, right, well, you know, if that's helped me and I've learned lots of things that way, then I could help other people in the same way. And it kind of just went from there. yeah, so a bit of a different sort of rather than starting the business because I love sewing, the business got me to a point where I realized I love sewing.

Gemma Daly (04:14)
That's really nice and it is nice to have that sort of different story occasionally as well because like you say, normally the path is sew first, business second. But it's lovely that you mentioned that you learnt from YouTube and you sort of give in back in a way, aren't you? Because you're helping other people to learn as well.

Lucy (04:19)
Yeah.

Mmm.

Yeah, definitely. I had some pointers in the early days from people that I knew that could sew. But then literally once I'd got the basics down, it's so rare that you've got somebody sat by you at home when you're doing your sewing, isn't it? That by necessity, I started to try and find tutorials and things.

Gemma Daly (04:50)
Mm.

Lucy (04:56)
I think, you know, I just feel really passionately. I know some people will always prefer to be in a class with a tutor and that's brilliant. But that's not always an option for everybody. Or it's not always people's preference. And like some people get a real kick out of teaching themselves. And I think it can be like a massive confidence builder, a massive self-esteem builder.

And you can just get such a sense of satisfaction out of it as well. we receive emails and phone calls literally every week from people saying like, you've really helped me to stop being scared of trying certain things or, you know, have the confidence to try something And that just like...

you know, means the world to me really. It makes me want to get up in the morning and do it again, you know, because it's just really nice to hear those stories from people.

Gemma Daly (05:53)
That is amazing. And it's so worthwhile, isn't it? Because we talk on the show quite a lot about how much deeper sewing is than that sort of surface level of just following instructions and making a garment. You mentioned there that it's confidence building, you know, it's almost liberating as well, teaching yourself a new skill, finding a community. You've built a community there around Sew Essential.

Lucy (06:07)
Mmm.

Mmm.

Yeah, definitely. I think, yeah, it can bring so much to your life and kind of form and shape parts of your personality as well. So I spoke about this recently on Instagram that by nature, I'm an incredibly impatient person. I'm terrible at being impatient and rushing and wanting to get to the finish line.

and also like beating myself up about mistakes and sewing has really helped me to learn that, you know, actually like we can view mistakes in a much more positive way and view them as a learning point, you know, and sometimes it's the best way to learn, even though it can be inconvenient. And I just think, you know, I'm really glad that I fell into this because it could all have so easily passed me by. And I do think it is so much more than

Gemma Daly (06:50)
you

Lucy (07:13)
than just the sewing. I think the other major advantage as well is just in the digital world that we're in, you know, and we all talk about this all the time, but it really does get you off those devices, doesn't it? And it gets you focusing on something, gets you actually making something. you know, the positive sort of effects of that on our mental health are just absolutely huge.

Gemma Daly (07:26)
you

Lucy (07:37)
I remember in COVID, we were like unbelievably busy. It was just absolutely crazy. And I had to stop making my YouTube videos for a few months because literally we were working seven days a week. We were just like inundated. We had a massive team working for us. It was just absolutely crazy. But I had to stop making my videos and I just didn't have time to sew And I remember the first time after that, that I sat down at the machine again.

It was just absolute like heaven. couldn't believe like how, you you don't, I suppose you take it for granted when you're doing it every week, but because I'd had this enforced break, it just like was, it was just wonderful, you know, and I really, really noticed it and thought, yeah, this is why I do it. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (08:08)
Yeah.

Yeah, and it's,

I miss it because I do spend a lot of time now on the podcast and editing and things and I do miss it. And you realize it really is a way to channel the creativity that you don't get in, in the rest of your life sort of thing. So I think it is once you are a sowist, you're a sowist, you know what I But it's

Lucy (08:28)
Mmm.

Yeah.

definitely.

Gemma Daly (08:47)
It's interesting what you said about making mistakes because I absolutely agree that it is essential for learning. You don't learn as much if everything goes right all the time. But I used to have this like perfectionist type personality where, and we joke about star signs and things. I'm a Virgo and it is kind of, it goes hand in hand with that. But I think part of...

Lucy (08:56)
Mmm.

Hmm.

I may.

Gemma Daly (09:16)
I've changed a lot as I've got older. I've changed a lot having a child because you kind of learn that you can't be perfect. You just have to get on with everything. And it's interesting that maybe people's sewing practice changes, you know, with time as well. And maybe you don't need to be perfect. Just have fun and do it.

Lucy (09:20)
Hmm.

Nah.

Yeah.

This is absolutely my mantra because I think the thing I hear the most from people, the thing that holds them back the most from like really getting the most out of their sewing is fear. And it's, I haven't done a fly front zip before or, no, I'm scared of buttonholes. And you know, that will then literally wipe out so many options for you, won't it? If you can't overcome those things and...

Gemma Daly (10:01)
Mmm.

Lucy (10:04)
I think my mantra is always like, look guys, know, there's no, there's no big like fat rule book that we all have to abide by. You might make a mistake or get it wrong, but what's the worst that could happen? And like, if you're enjoying it and it makes you happy, that, that is what it's all about. Like, and I think like the pressure and the restraint that we put on ourselves, it comes from ourselves rather than, you know, I think like there's almost like a fear of judgment sometimes and that sort of thing. And it's like,

Gemma Daly (10:11)
Mm-hmm.

Mm.

Lucy (10:33)
actually, has anyone ever said to you, God, look at the state of that hem or your zips a bit wonky. Nobody ever said, people just look at what you've made and go, my God, you made that, you know, and we all have our dirty little secrets where things haven't gone exactly to plan, but that's all, that's all part of the process, isn't it? And yeah, just testing, experimenting, making time for that.

Gemma Daly (10:43)
Absolutely.

It really is.

Lucy (10:57)
think is the way to really sort of get the most out of your sewing. I, you know, I always say to people, it doesn't have to be perfect. And like, I don't profess to be an expert, you know, I'm just a hobby sewist. But I really love doing it. And this is the way that I've got the most out of it by just having a go and, you know, trying new things and yeah, being open to all of that.

Gemma Daly (11:11)
Mm.

Yeah, absolutely, and if

it makes anyone else feel better, pretty much everything I make as a little thing that didn't go right, but nobody else knows, do they? Only I know.

Lucy (11:32)
No, no.

And so often as well, like you might finish the garment and that little thing is like niggling away at you and you know, you can't get it out of your head and I don't know whether and then you put it on a week later and literally you don't even think about it, you know, so yeah.

Gemma Daly (11:41)
Mm-hmm.

No, exactly.

While we're on this sort of subject Lucy, watched one of your videos about steps that you sort of ride or die by or that you can easily skip and I wondered if you could go into that a little bit for the listeners.

Lucy (12:02)
Mmm.

Mm.

try and remember, because that was quite a few weeks ago. But I think, yeah, I was sort of saying that it started from a conversation with Vicky who works in our business. She works in the office. She supports me with the marketing and does customer service as well. I shared that. I think we were having a discussion about something and she said to me, do you really do that on every single project? So the thing was,

I was saying that I like it's just something I always do. I always make sure I measure from the straight of grain on the pattern piece to the selvedge, and I make sure that it's absolutely like spot on. And she was like, do really do that? And I was like, yeah. And she was like, I just eyeball it. And I was like, really do you? But then

She said, I always do tailor's tacks. And I was like, do you? I was like, I don't ever do those. Like it's a bit of Chaco pen if I'm lucky, or sometimes I don't bother, you know. And I suppose that I shared it with people because the point I was making was we all have those. I think when you first start sewing, obviously you haven't got the confidence to know which ones to follow and which ones not to. You kind of just have to.

find your way through it. But then once you've got a decent amount of sewing under your belt, like it is okay if you don't feel that one of the steps is necessary. Like if you're not bothered about it and it doesn't really feel like it makes that much difference, then don't waste your time doing it. Do the things that you know really, really do matter. But yeah, I think, you know.

I'd add a caveat to that, don't be too gung-ho about it, because sometimes that can end in disaster. But I just remember when I first started sewing, it did feel like there was this massive rule book that I had to follow. And if I didn't get it right, was, you know, and then with time and confidence, I've realized, if it works for me and I'm happy with the result, then that's fine, you know,

Gemma Daly (13:56)
Mm.

Lucy (14:07)
I wouldn't do that if I was on the sewing bee, obviously, then you'd

Gemma Daly (14:07)
absolutely.

Lucy (14:10)
be in big trouble, wouldn't you?

Gemma Daly (14:13)
think you have to cut all sorts of corners on the sewing bee because of the time pressure! Yeah, same! But yeah, it is about confidence building, isn't it? And yeah, once you're confident in what you like to make, how to make it, the world is your oyster really, isn't it?

Lucy (14:17)
Yeah, that's true. That's true. It was my idea of hell.

Mmm.

Mm-hmm. And I think so often there's like little barriers for everybody. So it might be, you know, for a long time I didn't really make jackets because I was like, jackets will be complicated. You know, I've never made one before. And then a couple of years ago, I thought I'm going to make a jacket. And I got totally addicted to the whole world of jacket making.

Gemma Daly (14:39)
Mm.

Lucy (14:56)
realised actually they're a great garment to make because they're like generally really easy to fit, don't require much fitting. You're going to wear them so much more because you're wearing them over lots of different things and you know, yeah, kind of, sometimes it's stepping back and realising what are these like mental barriers that you've got in place that you...

Gemma Daly (15:02)
Mmm.

Lucy (15:16)
you don't even realize and yeah, the buttonholes one's another one I've heard really commonly of, no, I don't do anything with buttonholes. And I can understand why, because they get a bad press and they can be a real pain. But think of all the patterns you could make if you could overcome that fear of the buttonholes, you know, and I'll try and just make tutorials to like help people, help people do that. And then obviously on the site.

Gemma Daly (15:18)
Yeah.

Lucy (15:42)
We've got all the tools and everything and we can offer the advice around those sewing machines, overlockers, all that sort of stuff. That's what we're there to do to help people overcome those barriers and get the most out of their sewing.

Gemma Daly (15:58)
That's really good and honestly there is a wealth of knowledge on your YouTube channel and on your website so everybody needs to take advantage of it because it's so good.

Lucy (16:05)
Mmm.

Yeah, yeah, there is

a huge amount of content on the site and when we recently launched our new site two weeks ago, I think it was, we brought all of our YouTube videos into the site. So there's like a feed on the homepage now where every week the new videos that get released are there on the homepage. So it just makes it really easy for people.

Gemma Daly (16:22)
Mmm.

Lucy (16:33)
who enjoy those to kind of find the videos, but also find everything that they want, you know, from the videos or yeah, things they need to find that are related to that.

Gemma Daly (16:44)
That's really cool. And like you say, this has been a big thing for Sew Essential hasn't it? Launching this new website. So what are some of the other features that you've incorporated?

Lucy (16:49)
Mmm.

Yeah. So, I mean, I think the biggest thing is our old website. Like I couldn't wait to get off it, to be honest. Like I just didn't feel like there were lots of technical reasons why we wanted to get off it. But I just didn't feel like it reflected our brand or our personality at all. Whereas I feel like the new one really does. Like I say, we brought all the YouTube videos in. There's loads of really helpful tutorials on there.

Gemma Daly (17:04)
Thank

Lucy (17:22)
If you're in the market for like a new sewing machine or overlocker, there's in depth review videos of those that I've done and you know, just loads of ways to make it way more engaging for people and just a lot more enjoyable for them. But then we've added like other features like a reward scheme so you can earn loyalty points every time you shop with us. And we've got a range of, it's about 23,000 products.

Gemma Daly (17:50)
Wow.

Lucy (17:50)
I

just think when you're, there's always an opportunity to like earn some rewards because you always need some more thread or a packet of needles or so that kind of just adds another layer of reward to your sewing, having that there. We've created like a wish list as well. you know, obviously that huge product range can be, you know, there's a lot there.

But having a wishlist just enables people to go, oh, I like that. I'll come back to that at another time, you know. And yeah, I think that was kind of pretty much most of the things that, you know, really stand out for people. But yeah, definitely recommend people get on and have a look around. And the feedback we've had so far from our customers has been great. So we're really happy. Just feel like it's much, much better for everybody.

Gemma Daly (18:31)
Yeah.

Yeah, definitely. And I'll just add another thing in there that I noticed earlier. Isn't there like a refer a friend thing?

Lucy (18:42)
⁓ yes, yeah there is, that's part of the loyalty

scheme. So yeah, if you refer a friend, you and your friend can get rewarded and get £5 off. So that's yeah, definitely worth a mention. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (18:55)
Lovely. Yeah, definitely check it out everybody. Like I say, there's a wealth of knowledge on there. So it's not just products, even though you literally sell everything related to sewing, don't you?

Lucy (19:01)
Mmm.

No.

Yeah, yeah, we do.

We And yeah, that's I mean, I've put a bit about that on the home page to say that, you know, it isn't just a faceless site sort of thing. There's real people behind this and like we're making the stuff using the fabrics, using the patterns and then creating the tutorials and things to help you get really confident and just get the most out of your sewing.

Gemma Daly (19:32)
Yeah, fantastic. So you mentioned that you obviously get feedback from your customers, which is really great. But I was wondering, what do you think you get personally from like teaching people techniques or how to sew or sharing all the knowledge that you've gained?

Lucy (19:38)
Mmm.

I mean, it's just massively, massively rewarding. And I was thinking about this this morning as well. I mean, this will sound really cheesy and I've been lucky to always have a job that really means something to me. So before I did this, my corporate role was...

I worked for a business that helped unemployed people get back into work and like people who've been out work for like 20 years sometimes. So that was like massively meaningful and And I just feel really lucky that it feels it's the same level of reward with this business as well because

get a lot of people who say they've been through like a really difficult time or we've had people who said they've been through bereavement and, you know, sewing and the videos and just that confidence has been like the lifeline to them and like help them through those difficult times. But also just people saying, I'm just really enjoying my sewing. I just think being part of that is just like...

it is so, so rewarding. And I don't think I could ever do a job every day where I didn't feel like I was making some sort of difference, you know. so I'm just passionate about getting that to as many people as I possibly can. Because I just, and this is cliche as well, but I might as well say it's true. Like there is a lot of really

horrible stuff going on in the world at the moment, like it's heavy and we are all feeling And I think that having this like sanctuary of sewing where you can kind of just switch off for a bit and just immerse yourself in something with your hands, not on a device, it's just so important, you know, and I love like bringing that to as many people as I can.

Gemma Daly (21:18)
Mm.

You can tell that you have the passion. comes across in all of your videos, which is really, really nice. But again, it is that thing where it's not just a hobby. There's so much more to it. And I love exploring how people feel about it. I really enjoy that.

Lucy (21:43)
Mmm.

Yeah

Mmm.

Yeah, it's great. I think as well, like it could have easily passed me by. It was kind of only sort of luck really that I sort of fell into and people will often say like, ⁓ I could never do that, but I just think literally everybody can do it. Like it's just learning and, just a great thing to get into.

Gemma Daly (22:17)
Yeah.

It is. And you've got to want to do it though, haven't you? The same with any hobby or craft or anything. You've got to want to do it and you will, you'll be able to do it. Put the time in, put the effort and the passion in and you can do it. Totally.

Lucy (22:25)
Mmm.

Mm.

Yeah, it's brilliant.

Gemma Daly (22:38)
I was reading ⁓ one of your blog posts on the website about the importance of machine maintenance and I came across quite a funny little anecdote in that and I don't know if you remember it.

Lucy (22:45)
Yeah.

Is it going to be the one about how many needles we found inside us? No.

Gemma Daly (22:55)
no, but you can tell

us that!

Lucy (22:57)
that's so yeah, one of the articles we've got, I can't remember whether I think it is maintaining your sewing machine. And I think Ed actually, my husband actually put this anecdote in there, but he once found, think it's something like 25. It might've been more or less. can't remember the exact number, but he found like over 20 needles inside a machine that had like dropped in there.

And yeah, we were just talking about some of the common reasons why you might not be getting the stitch quality out of your that you hope for, sort of thing. yeah, more often than not with sewing machines, it's something really, really simple that just, yeah, it's like a troubleshooting list of very, very simple things to go through. But I'm not sure which anecdote yours is now.

Gemma Daly (23:43)
It was actually

something else that was found in an old singer machine and it was a dead mouse.

Lucy (23:50)
⁓ okay.

That was another red story. think I don't think he found that. I don't know. But yeah, he's, he's seen some sites over the years. Let's put it that way. But yeah, top tips for maintaining your sewing machine. Cleaning it is so important. It's boring and none of us want to do it, but that is really And then.

Gemma Daly (24:10)
Mm-hmm.

Lucy (24:14)
Something else that is a common problem is not threading correctly. And even if you've sewn all your life, or you've had your machine a really long time, sometimes you're just not threading it correctly and that will make a huge amount of Making sure you change your needle regularly is really important. Using the right bobbins as well is absolutely crucial. Don't be tempted to use any other bobbins.

Yeah, we share a lot of information around those sorts of things with people. we're of like experts in sewing machines and overlockers as well. And there's a lot of things we've shared over the years about overlockers. Again, another real barrier for people with their sewing, this fear of overlockers. So I've done loads and loads of videos the overlockers we sell on the site, but also...

Gemma Daly (24:56)
Mm-hmm.

Lucy (25:05)
things like how to fix tension issues, how to change the blades on your overlocker, some fun little tips that you can use to take your sewing on an overlocker to another level. So yeah, we just try and share all of that knowledge as much as we can so people can get the most out of it and get the best results.

Gemma Daly (25:23)
That's so helpful because I am one of those people that will literally do the basic on the overlocker and that is it. And I'm totally going to check out these articles because it will help me. It is a barrier and I've done it to myself, but you know.

Lucy (25:30)
Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

And you don't realize, and I suppose if you're happily sewing away and it's not holding you back or stopping you from doing anything you want to then it can be so much fun when you like last Christmas, Baby Lock asked me, because we're like a, a Baby Lock dealer, I've got a Baby Lock, I absolutely love But they asked me to take part in like a Christmas jumper.

Gemma Daly (25:45)
Hmm.

Lucy (26:00)
thing on social media. And I thought, you know, it's not something I would usually make, but it got me to get the metallic threads out. It got me to experiment with some of the decorative stitches. And I'll tell you what, I had a whale of a time, because I wouldn't normally do those sorts of things. It was really, really fun. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (26:20)
That's cool.

While we're sort of on the subject of your sewing, are there any like patterns or fabrics that you enjoy working with? All of the above. ⁓

Lucy (26:30)
All of them.

yeah, I just, I suppose I'm a very like sort of scatterbrained sort of person. So like I do flit a lot, like throughout my working day in my sewing and everything, I'm constantly trying to be more organized, but it's just, it's just not the way my brain works. But I do just love trying like.

Gemma Daly (26:44)
Mm-hmm.

Lucy (26:56)
everything and I love colour, I really love bright bold colours, I love contemporary styles and then I just sort of try and, I did challenge myself a bit this winter, I thought right got to make stuff you're going to actually wear every day because I feel like ⁓ it's easy in the summer.

Gemma Daly (27:03)
Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

Lucy (27:17)
I could

make a pretty dress or a nice blouse and you just wear them all the time. But in the winter, I found that if I make dresses, I don't really wear them that often because I know you can layer them and stuff, but I just find it awkward. So I made a couple of pairs of trousers that I absolutely loved. I made the rose pants and everybody was going crazy for them. I think loads of people have jumped on that bandwagon.

just like one of the best patterns ever. Vicky made like three pairs and loads of our customers who've popped in or whatever have said, I'm wearing my rose pants today. So that they were a real sort of triumph and a really good pattern to discover. And then the Perry pants by Fibre Mood as well. They were just like absolutely brilliant. Just really easy to sew, but easy to wear. And I think by focusing on like, you know, I do want to wear trousers a lot in the winter.

Gemma Daly (28:05)
Mm-hmm.

Lucy (28:11)
and making those and then like I said to you about the jackets, like thinking well let's make some jackets you know I felt like I was wearing like my handmade wardrobe a lot more in the winter it's only taken me like 10 years to get to that point.

Gemma Daly (28:24)
I'm the same though, I find it incredibly hard to dress for the winter. Yeah, it's my least favourite season.

Lucy (28:29)
it's awful. It's yeah. Yeah.

Like summer's so easy, you know, when you can just sling a dress on and some sandals, it's like, there's no, but with winter it's like, well, what I need to wear tights and then like what boots go with the tights and is the hemline the right, and it's just too like, I'm just, yeah, too much to think about.

Gemma Daly (28:40)
Yeah.

you

I know, there's too much!

So is there anything else exciting coming up for Sew Essential?

Lucy (28:57)
I mean, just more of the same, really, I think for now. The biggest, most exciting thing for us was the new website. It was a big project we really wanted to do it for a long time. So, yeah, that's been great getting that off the ground. And then really, it's just using that platform now to continue the work and reach as many people as we can.

Gemma Daly (29:05)
Mm-hmm.

Lucy (29:22)
Yeah, keep inspiring people, keep supporting people and keeping them confident at their sewing machine.

Gemma Daly (29:30)
Amazing. So to tie up the interview Lucy, I like to do a little game of this or that. Is that okay with you? Yeah? So, woven or knits?

Lucy (29:36)
Okay, yeah, yeah, that's fine, yeah.

Way fan.

Gemma Daly (29:41)
Scissors or a rotary cutter? You're after my own heart there. An organised stash or creative chaos? A meal out or a takeaway?

Lucy (29:43)
Scissors every time.

It's definitely creative chaos.

May I lie or?

Gemma Daly (29:58)
separates or an all-in-one piece?

Lucy (30:01)
Also, winter, I would say separates, but summer, I love a dress. Love a dress, yeah.

Gemma Daly (30:08)
Sweet or savoury?

Lucy (30:10)
Definitely savoury, yeah.

Gemma Daly (30:12)
Pre-wash or live dangerously? Same, same. Tea or coffee?

Lucy (30:14)
definitely pre-wash. I couldn't sleep at night without pre-washing my fabric.

Well, a bit of both. drink tea like it's going out of fashion. But I always have like one nice coffee of the day when I'm starting to hit that mid-morning slum.

Gemma Daly (30:34)
Prints or solids?

Lucy (30:36)
Probably prints most of the time. Wearing solid today, obviously, but yeah, most of the time I've just uploaded a load of really lovely, vibrant new prints to the website. We've just done that last night, actually. So I've just been, yeah, looking at those and drooling over them and making a mood board for what to sew next.

Gemma Daly (30:53)
Very nice, very nice. And the last one, one project on the go or multiple.

Lucy (30:59)
That is somewhere where actually I'm quite like organized and restrained. do generally just have one project on the go. Yeah, I like to get that done and then move on to the next thing. So yeah, it's the Lois dress at the moment by Tessuti, which is one of my favorites. I absolutely love that pattern. Yeah.

Gemma Daly (31:13)
Fantastic. Ooh, very nice.

Yeah very nice. So

where can people find you Lucy?

Lucy (31:26)
So obviously you can find us on our website, which is sewessential.co.uk. You can find us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, so all the usual places. And yeah, we're not open to the public at the warehouse, but we do occasionally do open days. And if anyone ever wants a demonstration on a machine, they can book that and come and have that at the showroom on the Leicestershire-Derbyshire border.

Gemma Daly (31:53)
Perfect, and I'll link all of that in the show notes as well. But I just want to thank you for joining me on the Sewing Social podcast today.

Lucy (32:01)
It's been an absolute pleasure, great way to spend a Tuesday morning. So thank you. Thanks for asking me.

Gemma Daly (32:07)
Thank

you, you're welcome. You take See Bye.

Lucy (32:10)
thanks, Gemma. Bye.

Gemma Daly (32:14)
If you've enjoyed this episode and want a bit more of the conversation, started a sub stack alongside the podcast. It's where I share some afterthoughts, what stayed with me, what we didn't quite get into, and a few more honest reflections. There's also a community space over there if you want to be part of it and not just listen. So you can find the link in the show notes and I'd love you to join me.

Until next time, happy sewing!