Introducing one of our newest Mummy makers.
Name: Lucy Neeve
Year of Birth: 1978
Current City: Wells, Somerset
Company name: Lucy Litchfield
Significant Others: Husband Mr Neave and our lovely
daughter Winifred Judy Rose
How would you describe a typical Sunday?
It rather depends whether I am teaching dressmaking or
not! If not, hopefully a late start depending on Winnie's lie in, then coffee
and pancakes, followed by a walk in the farm yard chatting to the chickens and
cows and watching the sky. A simple lunch of cheese and crackers followed by
playing with Winnie whilst cooking a roast dinner.
And here a quite obvious question: How did you become a talented crafts person /
designer?
I have always had an interest in Sewing, I guess
because my mum was a wonderful sewer and knitter. I used to make skirts out of
vintage pillowcases and sew huge flares into my jeans as a teenager. After a
journey through art diplomas, a degree in Fashion and a stint in the fashion
industry, I realised I didn't belong in the fashion world and that I needed
something more real, honest and enriching to do with my life, so I became a
secondary school art teacher. I have always had a passion for the old fashioned
art of beautiful dressmaking, and admired the way in which the vintage clothing I was buying was so carefully hand made. After years of disbelieving in my
creative and technical skill, the death of my mother and birth of my daughter
within 8 months of each other gave me the push I needed to get designing and
sewing.
What inspired you to do this?
My mum was a huge influence on me, she was a very
creative person, sewing many of her own clothes as-well as for my sister and me
and lots of knitted garments for our Barbies! Because of a passion for old
fashioned living my wardrobe has always been made up of old tops and dresses
from the 30's, 40's and 50's and whenever I went high street shopping I always
found myself saying "I could make that, and better!", so I never
bought anything and just adapted and re-sized vintage clothing or made my own.
Now that I have the wonderful Winifred in my life it is her that inspires me
the most. My great grandmother was also a dressmaker so maybe it is in my blood
too!
Its Fill-in-the-blanks time. So, please fill in the
blanks:
I love tea in the pot because I love the ceremony, it
makes me feel old fashioned, and it tastes better.
If I could live anywhere I'd live in Somerset.
If I weren’t a designer / maker , I would be either a
farmer or a cleaner I guess!
People who like well made, unique, ethical and vintage things will like my creations.
People who like well made, unique, ethical and vintage things will like my creations.
In my everyday life I attempt to live by a practical, utilitarian and
ethical philosophy. I therefore only use materials that have either been
created fairly, organically and ethically or vintage, found and up-cycled.
Coming Soon to u-ni-k gifts
