Jane Norris Bio. . .
Is home garment making a forgotten household craft? Is it the act of merely making (and a yearning to learn these skills) that is bringing this craft back into being? Or is it a turn towards preferences for clothing made of natural woven fibres, produced without the use of harmful practices – to humans, living beings and environments alike? Could these be the reasons for making our own clothes again?. . .They're imagined as garments made from beautiful cloths. It's a life-style pursuit – once again economically and environmentally better! Who doesn’t want to wear clothes made from beautiful good quality artisan woven cloths!
Clothes are the art of dressing, the art of putting oneself together, the very art of being perhaps! How clothes are made, fit and worn is the realm of working with worthy cloths, making durable seams and finishes that equal garment longevity.
After designing my own label for 25 years, I position myself now as a craftsman and educator. I draft garment patterns, from a skill base learned over many decades, with the purpose of offering a curriculum in garment making. Appealing to students, home crafters and those whose goal is to produce their own artisan garment business.
My practice and inspiration is the love of working on vast crisp white sheets of transparent pattern paper, using precision pencils, measures, tools and pattern drafting books from all eras, from ancient clothing to the advent of radical modern dress of the 1920s and beyond. Exploring garment making and styles as a reflection of social history is just so fascinating! It's a sort of time travel, – examining costume and modes of dress governed by societal conditions and the impact of technological advances of the day.
In my senior years, I create workshops and courses as a foundation in garment making. It’s a practice of breaking down complex knowledge into manageable but effective ways of learning. My offer is to convey how to make good, professionally finished and beautiful clothes for all levels of experience. My aim, to fulfil ideas and dreams for beginners to expert makers – for pleasure or to create a vocation.
HOW TO MAKE CLOTHES
Since 2022 I’ve run regular workshops and courses from Art House South Brent, offering 'Sewing Days' during the week for adults and home educated students from 14 years. This is a space to make and learn by working on your own choice of garment making project. There are Saturday project based courses in ‘Design & Make’ for intermediate students and one day workshops offering a 'begin at the beginning' foundation for aspiring beginners, thus creating incremental stages of learning the craft. . . and at the same time making a contemporary wardrobe of beautiful clothes.
Devon Open Studios September 2026 – I'll be exhibiting again with the Art House, South Brent group of artists and craftsmen, heralding the launch of my own set of garment making patterns complete with educational booklets of illustrated instructions.
For more information on workshops and courses, please visit my website www.howtomakeclothes.co.uk
