Before there was an Atelier Hub, there was a bridal shop. Then three businesses. Then losing all of it. I opened Bridal Emporium in Leeds city centre in September 2014. Before that, a family of creatives, and an education across fashion, tailoring, millinery, historical costume, props, set design & much more. That range is exactly why this Hub is not organised around one discipline. Dressmaking, bridal, couture, tailoring, corsetry, millinery, historical costume, alterations, props... It is all one craft to me, and I built this space to reflect that. Bridal Emporium grew into three businesses, Bridal Emporium a physical shop selling and designing wedding gowns & alterations, Claire Amelia Couture a collection of designed & manufactured in UK bridal & evening wear, and Emporella an online wedding marketplace b2b and b2c. Whilst becoming a mother to 3 beautiful children, birthed in 4.5 years, and only having 5-6 weeks maternity leave between all 3. I remember the days where my children strapped to my chest, whilst pinning brides for their big day, napping on the cutting table, whizzing to business meetings with double prams, oh it was so liberating being with my babies but exhausting all at once. All businesses running through Covid, of which only one qualified for government support. After prior investment of my own profit growth of over £250k, but no active industry due to covid, I closed Bridal Emporium in 2023, I kept the other two going as long as I could, and by Easter 2024 the exhaustion caught up with me completely, bed ridden with severe side affects. I am still rebuilding my health, and accepting what was lost is ongoing work, not a one time thing. These are the dips in and out of the online world, I find myself living life with my family, present there and then, and not wanting to be online, but with mother earth. I built the fast paced, masculine businesses prior, this time feels different. The Atelier Hub is what came out the other side of that crazy, fun, lots learned, grief, stressful and many happy times mixed in all at once. Sewers who are past the beginner stage rarely have anywhere to go, and I built this because I needed exactly that and could not find it. Not a how to group, not a beginner space. A place where experienced sewers across every discipline gather, share what they know, and go deeper into the parts of the craft that beginner spaces skip past. Damn I remember the late night, oh shit, how do I do this, and nowhere to turn or anyone to ask.

It's going fast here my way, the children are home educated but with the summer holidays, all their friends who aren't in school are keeping them *ahem* and me busy tehe! We've managed to do some sewing still, including cutting down all the lavender and making lavender pouches to sell in the kids honesty shop. Was damn cute and smelled lovely too!! We set up the sewing machines on the dining room table, and got a conveyor belt going, myself and my 2 girls! What about our other fabulous sewers in The Atelier Hub, what have you been sewing away with? Don't forget any time, drop in the hub with any sewing questions, finds, ideas and shenanigans you may have, we're here to support and answer where we can 🪡

Welcome welcome @Eve Vegliante really glad you are here. I read you are sewing for your puppy, do tell us guys more.. and if any sewing members also sew for their animals, great to drop some hot tips!

To everyone who's already part of our Skool group, thank you for being here! 💛 I've created a set of Free Sewing Affirmation Cards to inspire and encourage you on your sewing journey. Whether you're just starting out or have been sewing for years, these little reminders are here to help you sew with more confidence, patience, and joy. Remember... 🧵 Every stitch is progress. 🪡 Mistakes are part of learning. ✨ Handmade is something to be proud of. Be sure to grab the affirmations and keep the link close to your sewing online space for those moments when you need a little boost. Happy sewing, and thank you for making this such a supportive, inspiring community! 💕 https://www.claireamelia.com/sewing-affirmation-cards Sending smiles, Claire Amelia 🪡

As we continue our journey through the history of corsetry, we arrive in one of the most recognisable and technically fascinating periods of fashion history—the 18th century. Often associated with the grandeur of the Georgian and Rococo eras, 18th-century corsets (commonly referred to as stays) were an essential part of a woman's wardrobe. They weren't simply undergarments; they were the foundation upon which every fashionable gown was built. By this time, corsetry had become a highly specialised craft. Makers had refined centuries of knowledge into garments that offered remarkable support while allowing women to carry the wide skirts, panniers and luxurious fabrics that defined the period. Unlike the dramatic hourglass silhouette that many people associate with Victorian corsets, the ideal shape of the 18th century was one of balance and elegance. The aim was to create: ✨ An upright posture ✨ A smooth, elongated torso ✨ Gentle bust support and lift ✨ A beautifully proportioned silhouette that complemented the elaborate gowns of the era One of the defining features of 18th-century stays was their incredible construction. They were often made using: 🪡 Linen or silk outer fabrics 🪡 Strong linen foundation layers 🪡 Baleen (commonly called whalebone) for flexible support 🪡 Carefully stitched boning channels 🪡 Hand-worked eyelets for lacing 🪡 Waist tabs that allowed movement while maintaining structure Every stitch served a purpose. Every panel contributed to the overall fit. These garments were masterpieces of engineering as much as they were works of dressmaking. What makes this period especially interesting is how influential it remains today. Many of the techniques we use in modern corsetry, boning channels, multiple fabric layers, precise pattern shaping and careful distribution of support, have their roots in the craftsmanship of the 18th century. For anyone interested in couture, bridal wear, historical costume or advanced dressmaking, studying these garments offers valuable lessons in structure, balance and precision.