Jane Doxey

Creative Director

Jane began her career in product design and development at Liberty of London and moved on to become a Creative Director at M&S/Dewhirst. Her global travel inspired innovative product ideas for the UK market. Her experiences in countries like Sri Lanka and the Far East deeply influenced her perspective on sustainability. The warmth and creativity she encountered in these communities, despite their limited resources, showcased their remarkable ability to transform by-products and waste into beautiful, functional items. In Sri Lanka, Jane collaborated with large corporations and small community businesses, empowering families with traditional crafts to create products for the UK market.  These experiences highlighted how necessity drives sustainable innovation. The resourcefulness of these communities serves as a powerful reminder of our potential to create environmentally friendly solutions. Now back in the UK, Jane’s journey informs everything at the Sewing School, where we embrace a zero-waste philosophy. We can create classes from donated fabrics and supplies, ensuring that nothing goes to waste—even the remnants from overlockers are repurposed for local animal bedding.
Top Sewing Tip: Organise your sewing space—label everything!

Rachel Bunney

Rachel Bunney has worked in the home sewing industry for over 15 years – starting off at Alison Victoria School Of Sewing in Ashby de la Zouch, and then joining the team at Brother Sewing Machines UK as an Account Manager and Product Specialist. After baby Bunney came along in March 2020, Rachel launched Bunney & Thread. She loves solving sewing and embroidery conundrums, queries and quandaries, and seeing clients’ eyes light up when a solution is found!
Top Sewing Tip Everything up! Make sure your foot and needle are both up before you start threading your machine.

Holly Madden

I am crazy about making things. I think about it all day, I think about it going to sleep at night. I’m lucky enough to sew every day as part of my job as a secondary school teacher. And then, in the holidays I get to come and sew some more with lovely children and teenagers who are discovering their passion for sewing at KHY Sewing School. Welcome to the sewing club, you will never be bored ever again. My background before coming a teacher was in the design industry. Now I enjoy teaching and making clothes, toys and accessories as well as knitting and making clothes for my little boy at home.

Top Sewing Tip Most common mistake threading up? Make sure your bobbin thread is hanging on the left for top loading machine and right for lower loading machines.

Georgia Nash

Georgia Nash has 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She studied Fashion and Textiles at Westminster Kingsway and the London College of Fashion. Her impressive portfolio includes work with renowned labels like Phillip Treacy and Diane Von Furstenberg, and she trained in bespoke tailoring at Savile Row’s Huntsman. Georgia has her own womenswear and childrenswear brands, with designs featured in Vogue and The Guardian. Her celebrity clients include Fleur East and Jayde Adams. She taught Fashion and Textiles at Rochester Independent College and styled the recent music video for Beabadoobee, sharing her extensive knowledge and down-to-earth approach with students.

Mukti Panchal

I started my sewing journey 5 years ago and I instantly fell in love with my new skill.  After attending a few courses with Jane my passion grew and I invested in my own sewing machine at home where the sewing journey began.  Over the years I have made baby bibs & toys, cushion covers, table mats, dresses, tops, hoodies, and patchwork quilts. I currently help Jane with the kids programme and adult beginners at KHY Sewing School and I love being part of this fabulous team.

Top Sewing Tip Planning and patience are key to the perfect sewing project.

Louise Pedroche

Louise started sewing in Lockdown after getting a sewing machine for her 40th birthday. She was instantly hooked, and now sews every evening after her little ones are in bed. Her sewing list is never empty, as her girls are always wanting dresses, skirts or accessories of some kind!

Top Sewing Tip Pins are very useful, but fabric clips are more effective for certain projects.

Carrie Trigg

My background is as a pattern cutter and grader, but I’ve been sewing for 35 years, making menswear, ladieswear and children’s clothes. I have a HND in Clothing Technology & Design and a Diploma in Education and Training. I’ve been teaching sewing and pattern cutting in Adult and Community learning for 9 years, and have also taught sewing and textiles to adults with special needs. I make lots of my own clothes using almost exclusively vintage and reclaimed fabrics, which I’ve been collecting for 20 years. Sewing has been my career, passion and happy place; it is a privilege to share these skills with others, in the beautiful environment at KHY Sewing School.

Top Sewing Tip Always make a toile when using a new pattern, never cut straight into your final fabric. Mistakes are good, it’s a learning opportunity.

Teresa Vaughan

I attended the London College of Fashion where I gained a City & Guilds in tailoring and pattern cutting.  I have worked in the clothing industry for the past 30 years as a pattern cutter gaining lots of experience in fitting and making garments.  I really enjoy teaching at KHY and watching the student’s progress and gain confidence sewing.  It is a pleasure to teach at KHY.

Top Sewing Tip Never Give up! Every mistake is a learning curve and you never stop learning