About me

Seamstress at sewing machine dressmaking a custom garment

Growing up in a household that celebrated creativity and the art of "make do and mend," I learned the basics of sewing from my mother at a young age. This ignited a passion for crafting that has led me on a journey into the world of fashion and design. While I have spent the past 5 years focusing on dressmaking, my career experience extends beyond that.

For years, I have been creating bespoke curtains and soft furnishings for houses of all sizes. From custom draperies to decorative cushions and throws, I have honed my craft and perfected my attention to detail. I understand the importance of selecting the right fabric and ensuring that every detail is perfect, whether it's the size of a curtain hem or the placement of a decorative trim.

In addition to soft furnishings, I have experience with embroidery and custom printing on garments. I enjoy adding a personalized touch to my creations and am skilled in techniques such as monogramming and embroidery designs.

My experience with soft furnishings, embroidery, and custom printing on garments has given me a unique perspective when it comes to designing and creating clothing. I understand how to use fabric to create beautiful, functional pieces that not only look good but also serve a practical purpose. As a conscientious maker, I make every effort to minimize waste by repurposing leftover fabric scraps into other projects. When the pandemic hit, I put my sewing skills to use and started making matching facemasks for my outfits, using up even more scraps.

In addition to my career experience, I enjoy exploring various hobbies that allow me to approach my sewing projects with a fresh perspective and a creative eye, resulting in unique and personalized pieces for my clients. These include photography, baking, crochet, macrame, and bookbinding. I also have a love for music and enjoy playing guitar in my free time.

Whether it's exploring new crafts or indulging in my love for music, I believe that cultivating hobbies and interests outside of work is important for personal growth and development. These experiences help me approach my sewing projects with a fresh perspective and allow me to bring new ideas and inspiration to my work.

Testimonials

  • I contacted Merlene to alter the sizing of a vintage paisley shirt for a wedding which was a couple of sizes too big. Merlene was quick to respond and suggested I provide her with a shirt of mine which I like the fit of. a little over two weeks and I received the finished shirt. I am so impressed with the outcome! the shirt fits absolutely perfectly and the finish is impeccable. thank you so, so much!

    Benji A

  • I can not thank Merlene enough! She saved me after I was let down by another seamstress that I had booked to do alterations on a bridesmaid. She did such a wonderful job, it was perfect, even under the time pressure I had! The dress fit perfectly. Thank you again x

    Leigh-Anne F

  • very helpful and prompt alterations to my dress, good value and expert tailoring!

    Ciara D

  • Thank you so much for taking up my jumpsuit, you did an absolutely fantastic job with a really quick turnaround. Would highly recommend.

    Hannah G

  • Merlene was able to very kindly fit me in for some last minute alterations on a bridesmaid dress. The alterations to the straps, bodice, and length were completed to a high standard within my short timeframe. I would definitely recommend her services!

    Jacqueline L

  • Merlene was recommended to me to alter my bridesmaids dress. She was incredibly friendly and responsive to my emails. My dress needed a lot taken off of it but it was all finished in just over a week and looked great. I highly recommend using Merlene for a fast and reliable service at a great price!

    Rachel B

  • We found Merlene in a local facebook group when we were looking for someone to alter a few curtains for our living room windows. She responded very quickly when we first messaged her and she was very helpful from the beginning. The quote we got was very reasonable so we decided to go with Made by Merlene and we weren't disappointed. She got the curtains done in just over a week and they came out exactly as we wanted. We were happy that we could support a new, local business. I also got to meet her lovely dog, which was a bonus. :)

    Peter H

  • I had curtains made by Merlene who did an excellent job. I can highly recommend her and will definitely use her again

    Susan C

  • Best seamstress I know. Merlene helped adjust all my groomsmen's and my wedding suit trousers in plenty of time before the big day. We all wouldn't have looked half as good without her :D

    Adrian B

  • Excellent service, really good experience. Everything literally fitted like a glove. Super impressed, highly recommend and will use again. Thanks Merlene x

    Kerry C

Contact Me

Do you have a dream dress in mind? Or maybe you want to refresh your home with new curtains & soft furnishings. Make an enquiry and we can discuss your ideas and requirements.

Based in my home studio in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. I am currently working on a 2-3 week turnaround, depending on project size and availability.