About us

Homespun Living is a fabulous crafty business, dedicated to inspiring creativity in all and sundry! Whether that creativity is a love for the handcrafted item, for you or for a gift, or a desire to make your very own crafty brilliance, I look forward to helping you get your craft on!

Helen Burridge studied English & Textiles before becoming a costume designer, dresser, maker and supervisor for television and theatre. Following a career shift into arts education and a Masters in Arts Administration, Helen worked at the Design Museum and the Barbican Centre. She now resides in St Albans and teaches, makes, designs, stitches, bakes, draws, hooks, sews and paints in her little land of craft. All Homespun products are made by her in her St Albans basement studio, mostly from vintage textiles and trimmings accumulated on her travels. Homespun workshops are held at various fabulous places around Hertfordshire, and can even be brought to your own home. All products are alterable and Helen is happy to take on commissions and bespoke projects. Just message Helen via the website and she’ll get back to you!

Helen has delivered craft and design workshops for:

Barbican Art Gallery, London
The National Gallery, London
St Albans Ladies’ Circle
Tots Children’s Group, St Pauls Church
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School for Girls, Barnet

What others say about us:

Kelly: I would highly recommend Helen as a wonderful teacher with oodles of patience and positivity who put us at ease and gave me the confidence to get back on my sewing machine. (Kelly started with the Learn to Love Your Sewing Machine Course and has since moved on to the Introduction to Dressmaking course to continue her stitching fun!)

Carla: A clumsy student paired with a fantastic teacher can certainly revise a long overdue project. Learning to sew with Helen is highly recommended. I made a dress! Many thanks to her enduring patience! (Carla had four hours of one-to-one tuition on her sewing machine working on repairs, alterations and simple dressmaking – June 2012)

Lily, Young Vic Theatre: The bunting arrived on Tuesday and is WONDERFUL. Just gorgeous. You’ve got the colour and font completely perfectly, I am in awe. Absolutely beautifully made, I am SO PLEASED with it, thank you! (A bespoke commission of bunting in brand-specific colours and fonts for a West End Theatre Education project)

Nicola: Anyone who wants to brush up on their sewing skills to make things, or do alterations, I can highly recommendwww.homespunliving.co.uk. I went along last night and spent 2 hours brushing up my skills and feel (with a bit of practice on my own!) I’d be able to do hemming, taking in and making things from new. (Nichola attended the Make Do Mend & Stitch workshop)

Eleanor: Helen provides a relaxing, calm and creative environment to learn in! (Eleanor attended the Learn to Love Your Sewing Machine workshop)

Anonymous Feedback: The course was really good fun with a great and supportive teacher who will actually teach you how to crochet! Oh, and she makes amazing cakes. (Introduction to Crochet workshop)