About Us

Hi, I’m Helen.

I live in deepest rural Devon in an old farmhouse near the sea with my naughty newfies, Ben and Daisy.  I haunt our local charity/thrift shops to find vintage textiles to recycle for my items and love to use patchwork, applique and embroidery techniques. (Sometimes all at once!)

The name … well … I was stuck for ideas until I remembered my names for the two newfies that lived with me back in 2009 when Bustle & Sew was launched.  Amy, who sadly is no longer with us, used to bustle around looking very important and girly whilst Ben could slink through even the smallest space (not bad for 11 stone of dog!) with his young, flexible body.

Clearly Bustle and Slink wasn’t really going to be suitable, but what about “Bustle & Sew”? I thought. Especially as Amy liked to sit with me while I stitch.  So Bustle & Sew was born …

I don’t have any formal design training, but come from a long line of skilled needlewomen, learning most of my skills as a youngster.  I don’t produce complicated patterns, though my designs do need some basic skills, but love to create designs that everyone can enjoy making.

Meet the team: 

Me:  (looking very serious – it’s hard to hold your camera and take your own photo – well, it’s hard for me anyway!)  I’m the crafty designer, stitcher, dog-walker and general doer of most things.

Ben:  stops me spending too long at work and provides a wonderful excuse for time spent on the beach.  Plus is always willing to provide large quantities of black hair and speckles of mud which he feels make my patterns look much better.  Since January 2013 Ben has had a new young helper – young Daisy – a miracle of perpetual motion covered in a black fuzzy coat!

And of course there’s my lovely daughter Rosie – my design and social media consultant (she understands how Facebook works(!) and is always happy to tell me what she thinks of my designs – the highest accolade is when a completed project disappears into her bag and is whisked home to Bristol with her!) Seen here plotting more mischief with the youngest furry one!