Deborah Liversage Sanneh

I'm a retired primary school teacher, who has always really wanted to be a designer and maker. My mum was a keen sewer and knitter and taught me may basics. She made most of my clothes as was the norm back in the 60s and 70s, and I remember developing a love of pattern, fabric, and all the fancy trims and haberdashery. My sister was 11 years older than me and I would watch in awe as she dressed herself up as a hippy in that era, flower-power, mini skirts, halter neck tops, long flowing dresses, fur coats, wigs, platform shoes. When she was out, I would try on her clothes and parade myself in front of the mirror! I also had a favourite doll, Daisy, who was designed by the famous British designer Mary Quant. To this day, I still have the dolls and all the clothes and furniture and I pour over the little booklets with all the fabulous outfits drawn in such detail. I loved that era. Being a painfully shy child and young girl, I never had the confidence to follow my dreams. I actually didn't think I was a creative person at all. That discovery came much later in my life after I qualified as a teacher in my late 30s and began my creative journeys. Now I'm 59 and I realise just how important creativity is to me. My brain craves it. So I'm now wanting to jump in and follow a dream I've always had. I'm not putting myself under any pressure to become a fashion designer! I just want to dip my toe in the water, tinker about with fabric, and just enjoy the process and learn some new skills. I'm also very interested in the current topics of reduce, reuse and recycle, and sustainability.