Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-12.jpg" alt="Nerissa Pratt" class="wp-image-63422" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-12.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-12-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-12-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>She dubs herself a ‘creative stitcher’, but Nerrisa Pratt is a bona fide sewing genius! Reviving retro needlecrafts like Bargello (both in kit and book form), Nerrisa has mastered so many crafts throughout her career, always with an eye on how she can reduce waste and re-use scrap fabrics. Her sustainably-minded sewing school, The Craft Room recently opened in Guildford.</p>



<p>She’s a guest star at this year’s <a href="https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival/">Goodwood Revival</a>, running a range of sewing workshops throughout the event 8-10 September. Nerrisa will be sharing her expertise, so no matter how well versed you are in the art of needle-and-thread, there will be a class for you to enjoy and progress. Before Revival, she shared more on what she’s working on this year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-you-most-love-about-being-able-to-sew">What do you most love about being able to sew?</h2>



<p>I’ve got expensive taste, so to be able to look at a designer jumpsuit and know I can recreate it with some old curtains or thrifted sheets is priceless. There’s always a handy hack to create your own beautiful pieces in a more sustainable way.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-11.jpg" alt="Goodwood Revival Nerissa Pratt" class="wp-image-63423" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-11.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-11-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-wildest-craft-project-you-ve-embarked-upon">What’s the wildest craft project you’ve embarked upon?</h2>



<p>I was working at a marketing agency a few years ago and was quickly pegged as ‘the crafty one’ in the office. Before I knew it, I was teaching sustainable craft workshops at IKEA (one of our clients) and then ended up making over 10,000 metres of bunting for their various store openings!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-become-such-a-prolific-sewer-and-master-so-many-different-disciplines">How did you become such a prolific sewer and master so many different disciplines? &nbsp;</h2>



<p>Practice. Once my husband and I moved into our first flat, I made the spare room my sewing space and took a bunch of craft and sewing workshops to really hone my skills. &nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/3-8.jpg" alt="Nerissa Pratt Goodwood Revival" class="wp-image-63424" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/3-8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/3-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/3-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/3-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/3-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-it-you-love-about-revival">What is it you love about Revival?</h2>



<p>I can’t wait to see everyone again. The Revive &amp; Thrive community really began at last year’s Revival, not just the crafters themselves but also the event audience. I’m also looking forward to bringing new faces to the Sewing Tent and hopefully I’ll catch some of the talks in between all the sewing. Revival is such a glamorous experience, with this strong message that the crafts of the past can be used to repair, recycle and repurpose second-hand belongings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-already-started-shoemaking-this-year-what-other-new-crafts-are-you-planning-to-master-in-2023">You’ve already started shoemaking this year, what other new crafts are you planning to master in 2023?</h2>



<p>For me, it’s about finessing the skills I already have, and becoming a more masterful maker. Moving from dressmaking into shoe-making feels like a very natural progression, for example. I seem to have a real thing for heritage skills, and some of them take a long time to really master, which is one of the reasons they’re often endangered. But you’re allowed to enjoy that process and find satisfaction and mindfulness in learning – not just the part where your end product is perfect. &nbsp;</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goodwood Revival</a>, 8-10 September, Goodwood Estate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0PX. Tickets start from £64 and are now limited for the Goodwood Revival. Tickets can be purchased at <a href="https://www.goodwood.com/">goodwood.com</a> or calling 01243 755055. Hospitality packages can be organised by emailing <a href="mailto:hospitality@goodwood.com">hospitality@goodwood.com</a> or calling 01243 755054.</em></p>


Muddy meets: sustainable fashion salvager and sewer Nerrisa Pratt

You may also like