Gill Arnold's Training Studio


Gill's Studio Opening on 10th May 2006, when the editor of Sewing World magazine, Wendy Gardner, officially opened Gill's studio at 282 Baldwins Lane.

Girls arriving for the opening and class	2pm - Studio Unzipped! Gill and Wendy about to reveal all!	Tantalising glimpse through the curtain...

Cutting the Cake!	Champagne Celebration!	see
...now down to business..
	Juliana Vincent - a waistband hook is sewn and now her summer trousers are ready to wear	Cherry Coleman plans her next project in the cutting room

Eunice Edwards & Jean Haynes find time for afternoon tea and take a look through the pattern books	Janet Badham - a final press reveals red embroidered hearts on her back lining	Margaret Plowman gives her jacket a personal touch making a corsage

reportage – unzipped in hall green
by Wendy Gardner

Gill Arnold has been teaching in many venues for many years. Now she has her own fully equipped studio close to the heart of Birmingham. The wait was worth it. Inside is a lovely light, airy room equipped with large tables, Bernina and Janome sewing machines, embroidery machines, overlockers and coverstitch and ironing equipment. Whilst further in, there is a small fitting room in the hallway and another room with a large cutting table and then a kitchenette with cosy seating area in which customers can relax and browse through the pattern catalogues and Sewing World magazines.		Gill Arnold offers 28 different courses so that there is something for everyone. “I am particularly keen to get people into sewing” said Gill. She also runs courses and workshops at John Lewis in Solihull, and Fred Winters in Stratford upon Avon. “I am currently putting together a new programme of courses which will include visiting expert tutors each month offering other sewing related workshops and I shall plan cloth sales and trips for sewers. There is lots to come, so do check the website regularly and follow learning curve” she added. “I look forward to welcoming people to share my obsessive love of sewing”
Although Gill has been in the new premises since last September, it wasn’t until May this year that the Gill Arnold Training Studio was officially opened (by me!). True to form, Gill decided to be a little different and provided a zipped curtain to open, rather than the traditional ribbon cutting. Gill provides a range of different learning opportunities at the new studio, including regular courses and workshops, and several sewing club options such as a 2-hour slot in the evenings from 7-9pm or day slot 10-3pm. Booked in advance and priced very reasonably per session, students come together to sew, working on any project they choose. “I do like my students to do the foundation couture courses and fitting courses before they join the sewing clubs as I find this gives them confidence to tackle any project they want to” says Gill.		The evening sessions are structured by skill level, so that people with similar abilities can feel comfortable and sew at their own pace. “I only teach six people at a session on all classes and sewing clubs, so that I can give everyone as much attention as they want” Gill added. The studio is open daily Monday to Saturday and sessions must be booked and paid a month in advance. At the opening, I met several of Gill’s students, all superbly dressed in their own creations, including Eunice who loves making glamorous clothes for cruises and Juliana who buys fabric whilst on trips to Malaysia which she then makes into unique and quite stunning outfits. Linda and Rebecca meet weekly for 2 hours. Linda is frequently making dance costumes for her two daughters which involves sewing with lots of Lycra, sequins etc while Rebecca is sewing for her baby daughter. “My customers are of all ages, some have taken up or returned to sewing after retirement, others are young mums and teens, which is why I like to offer such a wide programme of seminars and workshops for all skill levels”.

A Stitch in time for Gill - The Solihull Times 24th May 2006

An expert in her field has come back to her roots to offer specialist training in dressmaking and tailoring. Gill Arnold left Art College with fashion and design qualifications and trained in theatrical costume. She then worked in the fashion industry and trained with a fashion designer. As a pattern specialist, Gill is a regular contributor to national magazines and hosts seminars and talks on the style and fit of garments and the inside secrets of the designer world. She is also a regular visitor to Solihull’s John Lewis store each month, offering tips and advice to dressmakers in their training rooms.		Now Gill is offering training workshops at the Gill Arnold Training Studio in Hall Green. Gill decided to set up something more permanent in the area she originally comes from after years of travelling to a variety of venues to work. Her studio offers hands on training in all aspects of dressmaking and tailoring, from beginners to professionals. On May 10 the editor of Sewing World magazine, Wendy Gardner, officially opened the studio at 282 Baldwins Lane.