After the success of her first book Girl with a Sewing Machine Jenniffer Taylor, who you might recognise as the face of Tailor Taylor, or from series two of The Great British Sewing Bee, has embarked on a brand-new crafty adventure with her second book Your Skirt, Your Way. We caught up with Jenniffer to find out a bit more about her new book and the projects she’s been working hard on this year.

How are you Jenniffer?

I’m very well thank you!

For those that don’t know you, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Sure! So, my name is Jenniffer Taylor, but you may also know me as the face of Tailor Taylor.

I first got into sewing when I wanted to make my own wedding dress in 2012. That was the first thing I’d ever sewn and from that point I was hooked! I’m self-taught and I learned to sew through deconstructing and refashioning items of clothing, upcycling them into something new, which is where my passion for creating clothes from scratch really started; then a year later I appeared on The Great British Sewing Bee as a contestant when my husband entered me without telling me. So, you can imagine my shock when I got through with only a year’s worth of sewing under my belt.

I then began teaching upcycling and dressmaking workshops which is when Tailor Taylor was created. Which is basically me and my sewing machine, doing sewing events, workshops, magazine tutorials and demonstrations on social media platforms and on TV. I also have a range of sewing patterns and kits and not forgetting I’m also an author of two sewing books. A lot has happened since my sewing journey began in 2012.

Your new book is finally here! We’re all very excited. Can you tell us a bit about the book and how it differs from your first book Girl with a Sewing Machine?  

Your Skirt, Your Way is the next step in my journey if you like. Girl with a Sewing Machine is about the beginning of my sewing journey and through some of the projects in the book, how I learned different techniques from upcycling and refashioning projects to making clothes from scratch using a few body measurements.

Your Skirt, Your Way still very much about creating what I like to call ‘you-sized’ clothes. So, there is not a range of pattern sizes that you need to choose, you are using your own body measurements from the start. I wanted to focus on a garment and explore the different way you can create your own designs by drafting, choosing different shapes and adding different elements like pockets or yokes to create your perfect collection of skirts that use your individual style.

Girl with a Sewing Machine is available from Search Press, RRP £12.99

You’ve started a sewing revolution. Can you tell us a bit about that?

The sewing revolution is about encouraging and sharing your skills with others. For me personally, it’s delivering workshops, teaching, and sharing my tips on social media. For others, it’s about sharing pictures of their makes to inspire other to give it a go.  It’s about feeling confident and empowered by making and then wearing clothes that are made by you and that reflect your style. 

Is the book suitable for beginners?

I like to think of it as a book for adventurous beginners!

Only because you are not cutting out a pattern and stitching a predetermined style. This book is all about letting your creativity go wild and stitching up your ultimate skirt wardrobe. I take you through all of the steps from how to measure yourself, drafting your block and checking the fit, to then getting creative with shape, fastenings and fixtures, details and finishings. All the elements that you need to create your perfect skirt.

Do you have any tips for beginners?

Just dive in and have a play. If you are stuck for ideas think about skirts that you already own but just wish they had… ‘X’. You can then see what elements you need to recreate that skirt, but you can now add that missing element you hoped it had!

What kind of skirt do you love making the most and why?

That’s a tough question to answer, because when you create clothes from scratch, you are creating the garments you love from the start; but I must admit that most of my skirts just have to have a pocket!

What are you working on at the moment?

On my cutting table at the moment is a few new ideas for my D.I.Y (Draft It Yourself) sewing pattern range. Something for the winter and something to kick start the new year.

Do you have any exciting plans for the rest of 2020 or 2021?

I’m working on and designing sewing courses. With lockdown cancelling all events and physical workshops for everyone at the moment, I’m exploring how I can bring that workshop/community feel online. I really miss that interactive element of what I do, so I’m excited about getting this up and running! I feel that creativity is a really important lifeline for people, and we all need something to get excited and creative about.

To stay posted on what I’m going to be up to, please head over to my website or social media pages! And don’t forget to share pictures of your makes with me using #sewingrevolution!

www.jenniffertaylor.co.uk

Facebook – Tailor Taylor

Instagram – @Tailor_Taylor_Sewing or @Jennibobtaylor


Your Skirt, Your Way is available from Search Press, RRP £12.99.