School of Stitched Textiles
July 10, 2019

Graduate Stories: Rebecca Tickle

Rebecca Tickle enrolled on our Skill Stage 2 Patchwork & Quilting in the Spring of 2018. By August of the same year she had completed the course and was rewarded with her City & Guilds accredited certificate. Impressive! At the age of just 21 Rebecca has grown in confidence and creativity and has recently set up her own online store. This is her own personal creative journey.

“Before starting the course I had minimal experience in patchwork and quilting. I first started sewing in Spring 2017 by taking part in a few 1:1 lessons in my local area. With the few techniques I’d learnt during that time, I decided to experiment and try out some projects at home – some were successful, others, not so much, but that was to be expected.

From that moment on I knew I wanted to learn new skills and progress from being a sewing ‘rookie’ so to speak. I wanted to be able to make things that I was proud to say “I made that” – without any more rookie mistakes. And, in order to do that I needed to practice and develop on what I already knew. That’s why I enrolled on the course with the School of Stitched Textiles.

I knew the course I’d chosen would require a lot of time and effort but it would also teach me the right skills and give me the knowledge I needed to be able to create beautiful designs and creations.

I opted for an accredited course because I thought it would help to build my confidence. You see, I’m 21 years old, the majority of my life (like many youngsters today) has been in education from Primary, Secondary & College (I didn’t opt for University though).
At school sewing was never taught so the only way I could learn was from home and mostly through trial and error. But my point is, an accredited course like this would give me credibility and would show people that I am serious about my work ethic being to a high standard – it truly felt like the best way forward for me.

I found the School of Stitched Textiles through pure luck. A few moths before I found the School I had decided to change my whole career path which I’d already been working towards for around 2-3 years. I’d obtained all the qualifications and knowledge needed but it just wasn’t getting me anywhere in relation to acquiring a job. Most of the time it left me feeling stressed and anxious about the future. So, when I found that the school were offering City and Guilds accredited courses online, it was a breath a fresh air. I could create and craft my ideas from the comfort of my own home.

I guess throughout the course the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that time, effort and lots of practice really pays off. You get out what you put in!

Like most of us who love to sew, I’ve definitely had my fair share of ‘strange’ looking pieces of work and yes, I’ve felt a ‘bit’ deflated if a sample hasn’t quite worked out the way I wanted it too, but that’s life isn’t it? I’ve found that as long as you have that positive attitude and motivation to try and try again, then you will indeed excel in the craft.

I really enjoyed undertaking Stage Stage 2: Patchwork & Quilting and went onto enrol onto the Skill Stage 3 Patchwork & Quilting course. So far, I’m over halfway.

Once I have achieved my Skill Stage 3 qualification (touch wood), I will be moving onto something a little bit bigger. You see, for a while now I have been thinking of pursuing a career in the ‘Sewing Industry’; so, for the last 9 months, I have been working towards starting up my very own Online Sewing Business. I’ll be stocking and selling fabric(s) as well as my own products, like gifts and home décor.

I’m hoping to officially ‘open’ in late June 2019.

I would definitely recommend this course to others. Both courses have shown me that with the right guidance and support (from my family and the school), I can actually do it. And thanks to The School of Stitched Textiles, I’ve achieved more than I ever believed possible.

If you’re thinking of enrolling with the SST then remember that the course is designed to take you out of your “comfort zone”. It’s meant to be challenging but trust me when I say that you will truly benefit hugely. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The tutors are incredibly supportive and always on hand. Utilise the Facebook groups to stay in touch with others and share ideas.

My final piece of advice is simple…always remember to have FUN!”

I really enjoyed undertaking Stage Stage 2: Patchwork & Quilting and went onto enrol onto the Skill Stage 3 Patchwork & Quilting course. So far, I’m over halfway.

I’m hoping to officially ‘open’ in late June 2019.

My final piece of advice is simple…always remember to have FUN!”

We’d like to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to Rebecca for sharing her incredible journey with us. At the age of 21 she is by far one of our youngest graduates but has always demonstrated huge potential and determination. We wish her so much luck with her new business. Go ahead and check out her designs at her store sewdrops.co.uk. You can also follow her on Facebook.

Joan Harrison Bursary