Hello I’m Sheila May and I started sewing as far back as I can remember.  I used to make outfits for my dolls from my brothers’ socks.  Socks were the only fabric I could find that had stretch in it and I remember making polo neck jumpers and tights, all hand stitched.  My mum could never understand why she could only retrieve one sock from a pair from the washing!  At the age of 9, I discovered my grandmother’s old treadle sewing machine and I have never stopped sewing since.

I am a qualified designer BA (Hons)  and teacher PGCE. I have been working in the sewing industry for over 40 years. I have my own sewing school, Stitch Clever where I teach sewing classes to absolute beginners and also to those who want to take their skills to the next level.  I teach all sorts of sewing related classes from dressmaking to lingerie, bridal and pattern cutting classes. 

I love sewing, designing sewing patterns and passing on my skills to people who,  like me, love to sew and craft.

People often ask if I make all of my own clothes and accessories, the answer now is yes, a lot of them.  I need to test all of the patterns I design, so I initially test them in my size and now have lots of garments that I have made, and I really enjoy wearing them.  

I hope you will enjoy crafting with me as much as I enjoy teaching you.