This story is sponsored by Gail’s Stitch In Time.
A Harrogate grandmother who swapped her office desk for a sewing machine says changing her career has fulfilled a long-held dream.
Gail Byrne was head of HR for a local car dealership, but had been sewing as a hobby for decades. During the Covid lockdowns she started taking on small jobs, and then last year she finally launched her own business, Gail’s Stitch in Time.
Working from home, she does “anything a sewing machine can do”, making dresses, cushions, curtains, and even Roman blinds, doing alterations, and using all kinds of material, from lace to leather.
She said:
“I just wanted a change – I didn’t want to be firing people anymore! My mum died when she was 60, and I’m now 55; I thought if I carried on in my old job I might just never to do what I really want to do.
“I’ve been sewing as a hobby for 30 years, but I never thought I was good enough to do it as a job. But I started Stitch in Time last November and have never looked back. I’ve never been happier, both mentally and physically.”
Gail has converted her dining room into a workroom, complete with changing room for fittings.
Gail has completely dedicated her dining room to the business, and has even turned a walk-in cupboard into a very “glitzy and bridal” changing room for clients when they come round for fittings. Recent jobs have included a hanging rail for a Campervan and a fabulous prom dress for her granddaughter. But she says she doesn’t have a favourite kind of job. She said:
“The best bit is getting an email from a client saying that what I’ve made fits perfectly, or that it’s exactly what they wanted. There’s no feeling like it.”
Since striking out on her own, Glasgow-born Gail has been busy backing up her experience with a sewing course which she passed with a distinction last year. Since then, she has been doing jobs for clients of all kinds, who are attracted by the quality of her work, competitive rates, and her friendly, local service. But she says she’s not in it for the money.
She said:
“Once I’m working, I forget what time it is. My husband even has to phone me from work to remind me to eat something for lunch!
“There’s less stress and pressure, and I love to make people happy. Just seeing the smile on their face when they see what I’ve made makes it all worthwhile.”
Find out more:
If you have clothes that need altering, or would like something made to fit you perfectly, check out Gail’s website at www.gailstitch.com, email her at info@gailstitch.com, or call her to discuss your requirements on 07742 429281.
Harrogate Scrubbers complete covid memory quilts
At its peak, Harrogate Scrubbers had 800 members making scrubs for hospital staff during the first covid lockdown. The group worked frantically and in just six weeks, 2037 scrubs were handed over to front line staff at Harrogate District Hospital.
It was an extraordinary community response to a health crisis and a serious shortage of PPE supplies.
To celebrate and remember their achievement, scrubbers were invited to sew a square of fabric for a quilt. Each was asked to detail what it meant to them to be part of the sewing group. The squares have been made into five beautiful quilts. The scrubbers founder, Fran Taylor, has also created a book with photos of the squares and each group member’s memories.
Tonight, the group will gather at the Pavilions of Harrogate to see the quilts on display in what is expected to be an emotional event.
Fran explained,
“The experience of being part of the Harrogate Scrubbers meant so much to so many people, that we wanted to commemorate the groups achievements, and also give everyone something to remember for the part they played supporting the NHS in the pandemic”
Read More:
- Harrogate Scrubbers hit target of making 2,000 items for hospital
- The Harrogate Scrubbers Hall of Fame
One of the five completed quilts (above) and below an excerpt from Fran’s book.
Lisa Sumpton from Harrogate, who two years ago was in charge of logistics for the scrubbers, said:
“It’s just nice to see all the squares that have been lovingly made by individuals- to represent a moment when a community came together to something good at a time of great uncertainty”.
The contribution the scrubbers made to support the NHS and its staff locally has not been forgotten.
Sammy Lambert, the business development, charity and volunteer manager for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:
“It does feel surreal two years on. Unless you lived through the time and felt the community spirit, it’s hard to explain.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Fran and all the scrubbers for helping us to do our jobs at such a difficult time”
Tonight the scrubbers will come together, many having formed friendships through the project, they’ll raise a glass to each other and be formally thanked by Sarah Armstrong, Chair of Harrogate Hospital Trust for their wonderful work during the pandemic.
An army of volunteers mobilises to make scrubs for Harrogate medical staff
Harrogate Scrubbers gained 200 Facebook followers and raised more than £4,500 in its first 24 hours of existence. The group was formed in response a the nation wide shortage of scrubs and has committed to make 700 scrubs for staff working in the Harrogate area to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The project is being organised by Fran Taylor (above) , a teacher at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate, in conjunction with the Foundation Trust that runs Harrogate District Hospital. Fran is coordinating fabric orders, pattern printing and delivery of the finished items from home.
“‘The community response has been genuinely humbling, with offers of help from people stuck at home, community groups, local companies and professional sewing groups. It has created a team atmosphere and real community spirit, actually giving people a purpose and the ability to feel that they are supporting the NHS both through staying at home, but also doing something productive while they are there”
Some of the scrubs sewn by volunteers ready to be delivered to the hospital
A fundraiser was set up online with support coming from individuals as well as organisations including guesthouse association Accommodation Harrogate, and estate agents, Verity Frearson.
Earlier this week, Fran found herself borrowing the keys to her church in order to have the floor space to roll out, measure and cut the fabric. Once cut, it was parcelled up with patterns – printed by Enid Taylor on Cold Bath Road – and sent out to the volunteers.
“There’s really fantastic community support,” she said. “Any enthusiastic beginner can come and help us. We’re always looking for people to come and sew and support us with organising and getting supplies to our drop-off point.”
As well as blue scrubs, spare fabric is being used to create laundry bags
Local businesses are involved too in supplying fabric. Harrogate interior design firm Furnish & Fettle are providing over 800m of fabric and getting the team to join in with sewing and deliveries.
Owner Eleanor Goddard said, ‘We are delighted to be able to do something to support the NHS and utilise the supplies we have in stock. This is a brilliant way for us to give something back and thank all those on the frontline.’
White Rose Sewing in Harrogate are also supporting the scheme and have offered to help with supplying some of the materials as has M&M Fabrics in Leeds’s Kirkgate market.
The volunteers will make scrubs, laundry bags, scrub caps and waterproof gowns.
“There’s lots of people who are at home more than they would like to be and maybe who have got extra time on their hands because of being furloughed and that’s a real worry for them,” Fran said. “Being able to keep busy is good for their mental health and it also helps people to feel connected.”
Can you help?
The good news is you can help even if you can’t sew..Roles and items The Harrogate Scrubbers need:
- People who can sew both scrubs and bags to put them in
- People able to deliver and collect the fabric and scrubs
- Donations of money to help buy the fabric and accessories
- Donations of plain lightweight polycotton fabric or new sheets
- Volunteers to cut the fabric into packs and prepare them
- Printers to print the patterns to go in the packs
To donate, visit: https://tinyurl.com/harrogatescrubbers Join the Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/harrogatescrubbers Alternatively, contact Fran Taylor directly harrogatescrubbers@gmail.com