About Us

Hi! I'm Emily!

I am inspired by music, pop culture, nature and all the fashion that came before, and love designing dresses and outfits that are pure fun and allow you to wear your personality.

Life is too short to wear boring clothes. Let them be as beautiful as you are.

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I am English-born and moved to New Zealand with my family in 2004.

I live in Christchurch with my Kiwi husband, in a beautiful 1920's house.

Outside of sewing I love cross-stitch, music (a healthy mix of rock/metal/indie/K-Pop), gaming (I'm a Sims girl from day one!) and reading (I am part of a book club with other inspiring women who have become my lifelong friends).

FAQ & Policies

General:

*I reserve the right to turn down work at any stage in the process, if I experience any form of negative behaviour.

*I work from my home studio and work on bookings only. I do not run a drop-in service.

*As my studio is small, I can only consult with 2 people max. I also do not allow children into my space, unless by prior discussion, due to the size of the space and the potentially dangerous equipment on hand, eg. cutting shears, pins, awls

*I only work with certain fabrics (to ensure the best possible results). Some fabrics, while pretty, do not sew very well and I cannot guarantee an optimal result.

*I take no liability for any issues or repair if any alterations are made by a third party. 

*I do work with other Christchurch-based dressmakers with whom I have built a good working relationship and trust to do high quality work. If my workload is high, you still liaise through me and then they can take on your project.

For custom work and pattern-sewing:

*Minimum time is 4-6 weeks - If a project has a shorter deadline, I may still take on but this will incur a rush fee of 40%.

*Quotes I give for work are a rough estimate based on the information given by you at the time of consult. If the requirements change after the quote is given, I reserve the right to adjust the cost based on the new information.

-A written copy of the quote is available on request.

*Deposit for custom garments is $150, other work is $50. The remaining amount is required within 7 days of the final product being completed.

*For commercial patterns, basic amendments can be made but I do not fit these patterns to you (this falls under a custom designed garment and has a different price structure). It is recommended to provide the required size cut out. If you need me to cut it out, I will include the time in my quote.

For sewing lessons:

*Payment is required prior to the lesson, to lock in your space.

*Once payment is made, I cannot offer a refund on change of mind.

*I allow one postponement per booking as I understand things change, however a second change will incur a new booking cost.

*If you are bringing a pattern with you to make, please ensure you bring the instructions so I can properly assess the project, as instructions/processes vary between pattern designers. If you are wanting to use an online pattern, I recommend sending me the link/information before the lesson.

*It is recommended you bring your own matching thread for your project. I have a selection of threads available but I cannot guarantee I will have a match.

*Standard lessons are a single person. I can do sewing lessons for two people; the second person will be an extra 50% fee. I do not do 3+ people/group lessons.

For alterations:

*Minimum time is 1 week depending on the alteration required - If a project has a shorter deadline, I may still take on but this will incur a rush fee of 40%.

*Quotes I give for work are a rough estimate based on the information given by you at the time of consult. If the requirements change after the quote is given, I reserve the right to adjust the cost based on the new information.

-A written copy of the quote is available on request.

*I don't require deposit for alterations, but payment is required upon or prior to pick-up.

*I am always happy to discuss and consult on an alteration, as I always want to do my best to help. However a consult does not guarantee that I will take it on and I reserve the right to turn down the alteration.