A clothes-making mum has set up her own sewing workshop to give others the freedom to create their own threads.
Egita Galvona, 29, of Green Street, Upton Park, launched Byden earlier this month, teaching classes of up to six how to stitch everything from cushion covers to wedding dresses.
Balancing the business around her two young children, 11-month-old Adam and three-year-old Daneen, she insists the skills on offer can be hugely liberating.
“I love sewing because it gives you the freedom to create whatever you want,” she said. “In shops all the clothes are the same.
“Usually they only stock standard sizes, so if you’re slighter taller or smaller than that what’s on the rails it can be a pain.”
After training as a dress-maker in her native Latvia, she spent a year developing her skills at Newham College.
Although first developing her love of stitching through her textiles-working mother, she admits the repetitive nature of factory work initially put her off.
She added: “I couldn’t cope with doing the same thing everyday.
“Most of the clothes I create are unique, because usually everything is made to measure.
“Hopefully I can develop the workshop into a school one-day, and run it along my own haberdashery shop.”
Egita also plans to work with local youth clubs, so that others can benefit from the life skills.
For more information visit byden.co.uk
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