A BUSINESSWOMAN is stitching her passions together to start sewing classes at her first shop.
Claire Kaye, 35, has opened Wren and Ivy, a vintage and retro-inspired gift store, at Waltham Windmill.
She stocks a range of interior homeware, ribbons, trims and haberdashery but her favourite of all are the variety of unique fabrics from designers across the country and in France.
After gaining a degree in fashion design, Claire now intends to share her talents with others and wants to start small sewing classes for beginners within the next few months.
She also hopes the new TV show, the Great British Sewing Bee – which started on Tuesday on BBC Two – will help to inspire other amateur sewers to have a go.
Claire said: "I belive anyone can be taught how to sew.
"It will be nice to run some classes inside my shop and I hope to have some dates available soon.
"In the meantime, I would encourage people to come and have a look inside my store as I have a lot to offer.
"I have some of my own creations on sale as well so people can pick up something different. I have always loved the 1960s era, but as I have grown up the fashion and designs of the 1930s and 1940s attracted me a lot more.
"I am delighted to have opened my own store, I just need people to spread the word that I am here now."
Claire is originally from Barnsley but settled in Grimsby 10 years ago after meeting her partner during a one-year work placement out in Australia.
Alongside the shop, she also works two days a week as a fashion technician at the Grimsby Institute – the job she used to do full-time before becoming a mum four years ago.
She said: "I enjoy keeping myself busy and I have a big passion for fashion.
"The thing I like the most is that you can create something so unique and individual to yourself and you know no one else will have it.
"This is what the sewing classes will help people achieve as well.
"Once I sort out when they will be, I can help people with felt making and creating things like lampshades."
Wren and Ivy is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.
If anyone missed Tuesday night's first episode of the Great British Sewing Bee, it will be repeated on BBC Two on Saturday, April 6 at 5.05pm.
