My name is Jeni and I’ll be the one teaching classes at the Ctrl/Stitch Sewing School

Having worked as a professional tailor since 2009, I have plenty of experience sewing both by hand and machine. I started out studying tailoring at London College of Fashion before getting an internship on Savile Row at Norton & Sons (with Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant). After just over a year there, I moved one door down to Henry Poole & Co to start an apprenticeship. I went on to work in house for them for 10 years, whilst also taking on freelance work for many other companies on Savile Row and beyond. Of course over the years, alongside traditional tailoring, I have also taken on many projects for family, friends, friends of friends, etc etc. Working on everything from re-sizing baseball caps, sewing patchwork quilts, to fixing activewear, altering wedding dresses and everything in between!

During Covid I started working from home, and have been lucky enough to be able to continue to do so since. This has meant that I can still work for the same companies in London whilst moving up to Holmbridge with my partner and our 2 dogs. Since moving to the Holme Valley I have been lucky enough to get a studio space in the amazing Scultpure Lounge in Holmbridge, where I am now working from. Working from my own studio means that I can offer more services to the local community which I’m really happy about.

I am a big believer in slow fashion and re-using or upcycling old garments as much as possible. So my aim with the sewing school is to teach people how to make, mend and embellish their own clothes to keep their wardrobe in use as long as possible.

About CTRL

Ctrl Art Studio is a project my partner James started, he is an artist working across multiple different mediums, and so Ctrl has different branches. Whilst James works in ceramics, photography and letterpress, I work in fabric. And so Stitch is my offering from our studios. We will also be opening bookings for private creative retreats in late 2026, so check out our website and Instagram for more details.