About Sew Fabulous
Sew Fabulous Community Interest Company is based in Brighton Open Market, a busy covered market in central Brighton.
We are based in a warm, welcoming and professionally equipped sewing studio in Brighton’s historic Open Market.
We have been here since the market’s refurbishment in 2014.
Our equipment includes a range of Janome sewing machines and overlockers, an industrial straight stitch machine, large cutting tables and everything necessary for our classes and workshops.
From our studio we run weekly classes and regular workshops for all ages, from kids and teens after school classes to regular adult classes catering for a range of abilities.
We host and create bespoke craft parties, perfect for hen parties, baby showers and birthdays.
Local textiles artists regularly join us as guest tutors to run workshops.
The aims of Sew Fabulous are:
- To provide sewing classes and creative workshops to the local community.
- To promote the reuse and recycling of fabrics and clothing as an antidote to fast fashion.
- To be a positive force for change in our city and to promote an inclusive environment for all.
The aims of our outreach program are:
- Sew Fabulous Outreach Programme aims to provide affordable, accessible beginners sewing class for adults who are experiencing social and economic disadvantage in Brighton & Hove (or neighbourhood specific).
- Sew Fabulous aims to support participants to develop life skills and confidence through the provision of a structured learning programme and support.
About us
Susie Deadman
Executive Director and tutor
Sue and I launched Sew Fabulous in 2014 and opened the studio in Brighton Open Market.
We have spent the last five years establishing and growing the organisation.
I come from a background in arts education. Working for the last ten years as the educational workshops co-ordinator for Gladrags Community Costume Resource in Brighton and freelancing for other organisations including Towner Contemporary Art Gallery and numerous community groups and organisations.
Currently I’m a part time student at Brighton University, studying for a masters in Inclusive Arts Practice.
I love working in the studio, and being part of the wider community of The Open Market.
My vision for Sew Fabulous is for us to grow to continually meet the demands of a changing world. To push harder for environmental awareness in the fashion and textile industry and to be a positive force for good in our community.
Sue McFarlane
Executive Director and tutor
I began sewing as a young mum in 1991 accessing a beginners sewing course at an adult learning centre. Since then I have worked as a freelance seamstress on a huge variety of projects, from fashion collections to theatre costumes and props and everything in between. I began teaching in 2012 and am PTTLS qualified to teach adults in the lifelong learning sector.
Establishing the C.I.C with Susie in 2014 meant that we could offer low cost accessible learning to those that would benefit most from these creative and sustainable life changing skills.
Judith Cousins
Director
I have many years experience of leadership, management, training and facilitation in the voluntary, social enterprise, public and private sectors. Many of my roles in the public sector have involved evaluating tenders and funding bids; supporting service providers to develop strategy, measure their performance and report their outcomes. As CEO of two not-for-profit organisations I bring experience of bidding for funding, managing contracts and finances. Over the past 10 years I have been developing a framework for the not-for-profit and public sector to support strategy development and measure social, economic and environmental impact called Social Value Made Real. I have been a keen sewer and knitter since an early age and welcome this opportunity to support Sew Fabulous bringing together my work skills with my personal love for sewing and creating.