gill arnold dressmaking training
West Midlands
I live and work in Solihull and am married with two boys. I have an obsessive
love of sewing, which has driven my career through a wide range of sewing
related experiences. I came from a family of sewers and from a very early age
was encouraged to be creative. My love of embroidery and needlework led me to
pursue a career in teaching. I attended a specialist needlework and home
economics teacher training College in Liverpool. I always enjoyed "hands on
work" and gained experience working with an expert team of fitting and
alteration seamstresses at an exclusive dress shop the summer I finished at
Liverpool. I wanted a creative career, so I applied for the position of wardrobe
assistant at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. This was a wonderful work
experience, sewing fabulous fabrics and making a diverse range of costumes. The
theatre wardrobe mistress encouraged me to continue studying and I enrolled for
a City and Guilds course. Although theatre working hours were long, they were
flexible and I could study and work full time. I achieved merit for City and
Guilds Creative Studies; two years later I received a distinction in Fashion and
Design and won the year prize. My qualifications and experience opened another
career opportunity in the fashion industry. I wanted to work fewer hours and the
job I was offered provided training in production planning and buying. Working
regular hours I decided to think again about the teaching career I had
abandoned. I was employed by Birmingham Adult Education Department to work in
evenings teaching Embroidery and Needlework. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, so
when I married and the family arrived I gave up full time work in industry. I
returned to college, updated my teaching qualifications and became a part time
teacher In the early 90's I wrote the Tailoring Programme for the West Midlands
Access Foundation, later used by Open College Network. By 1996 I was determined
to offer my own courses, now known as Gill Arnold Dressmaking Training. In 1997
I became Sewing World magazine's pattern specialist. Over 20 years teaching has
given me a wealth of experience and knowledge to produce articles on patterns
and fitting. I have also written for Sew Today and American publications. With
the support of the sewing industry I enjoy being a regular exhibitor at shows
all over the country including the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. My
yearly programme provides a full range of sewing events, exhibitions, seminars,
cloth sales, trips and courses.
