Guest Teachers

Wendy Deverill

I have been sewing ever since Primary School.  I started with dressmaking and now I focus on Patchwork and Quilting

In 2002 I opened a shop selling patchwork fabrics, threads, wadding and all the associated things a patchworker needs.  At the same time I took the City and Guilds qualification, and this really expanded my knowledge. I also took a teaching qualification and became a qualified teacher.  I had a workroom where I taught a wide variety of classes in patchwork and quilting, from complete beginners to advanced City and Guilds.

My business closed in March 2020 when the world changed due to Covid.  Like many other people I had time and opportunity to re-evaluate my life and priorities, and I decided not to re-open the shop but to move back home to the Wirral where I met Jane at Crafters and Makers and found the opportunity to be able to teach again.

Angela Lloyd

I picked GCSE textiles having never used a sewing machine before as I knew I would just love it! Sewing two pieces of fabric together that suddenly became a three dimensional garment that could be worn was totally  fascinating and mind bending!

Graduating with a Fashion and Textile degree, I have since worked for various UK suppliers and retailers designing surface print patterns and garments for childrenswear.

Originally from Liverpool, I moved to to Wirral in 2013 to buy a house and start a family. It was when I became a mum that I began to make and sew baby clothes. I loved being able to make one-off original pieces for my own children, as well and being able to gift something unique for friends and family.

I generally just love experimenting and trialling making things. If its not sewing, I’m creating my own knitting and crocheting patterns which you can find in my Etsy shop

Mandy Tipps

I graduated from London College of Fashion with a degree in Bespoke Tailoring. I then went on to work in Angels Costumes, one of the largest costume companies in the UK, where I worked as a tailor and assistant cutter in the men’s workroom. Since moving back to the Wirral 5 years ago I currently work freelance as a pattern cutter and seamstress. I love the creativity of what I do especially working out how to be able to take a design and turn in into a finished garment.

Sarah Wyles

I have taught Textiles and Art in schools and colleges for most of my career and love sharing my ideas and skills with others. I learnt my craft from a very young age and come from a creative family of makers. My passion is Textiles in all its forms, and I love to create items whether they be constructed or Art textiles.

Whatever stage you are at, a complete beginner or confident maker, I hope to inspire you with some of my ideas, developing your skills to help you on your creative journey.

At Crafters & Makers we want to:

  • Enable people to have the confidence to ask, ‘How do I make that?’ and then give them the skills to make it.
  • Establish a community so likeminded individual can meet other Crafters and Makers.
  • Teach the value of the materials we use and to consider its source and long-term sustainability.
  • Engage with the ethos of Up-cycle, Re-use and Recycle and encourage others to do so too.
  • Design and create to life zero waste patterns in order to benefit the environment.
  • Develop the skills of others in pattern-making, sewing and craft.
  • Consciously design products with the full lifecycle of item in mind.
  • Explore and research new materials in order to develop and share the knowledge.
  • Inspire and be inspired!