Katherine Hill

I've been sewing since I was a little girl (very many years ago). Back then I spent many happy hours making cuddly animals and clothes for my dolls. As a teenager and student I made clothes for myself - some more successful than others.

Throughout my adult life sewing had gradually become more and more about practical jobs - things like making curtains, or shortening trousers - until I decided to make some cushion covers. The first few I made were for me and are still on my sofa today. Then I made some more for friends and family as presents. Finally, buoyed up by their enthusiasm, I decided to try making some to sell.

To make my cushion covers I use a mixture of recycled fabrics and leftovers from other projects. As well as having a cupboard full of my own old clothes, and left overs, I trawl our local charity shops on a regular basis, looking for clothes and curtains that I can cut up and re-use. I also buy remnants from furnishing shops (if I see something fabulous), but I don't buy anything off the roll to use in my cushions - other than the interfacing which I use to back my applique images.

My cushion covers are created using a mixture of machine and hand sewing and I still use the sewing machine I was given for my 16th birthday!