STUDIO: Deborah Good of Pretty Goods

This week we explore the studio space of Deborah Good the founder of Pretty Goods, a wonderful collection of home accessories and gifts. Deborah uses vintage and reworked fabrics to create unique and fabulous items.

My workshop is in the garden, tucked along the side and hidden from the neighbours by their border of trees and shrubs. I used to work in our conservatory, but as I make soft furnishings to order, as well as my smaller home accessories and gifts, I was taking over the space, making the largest room of the house un-useable. So nearly three years ago we decided to have a workshop built to our specifications. It is 10 metres long and just over 3 metres wide. We then had it divided into two self contained rooms. My space is 7 metres long; my husband uses the other room of the building for his workshop.

We had a bit of a scare just after it was completed – one of our near neighbours complained about it. We had followed all the planning regulations but not applied for planning permission and had failed to realise we were in a newly designated conservation area. So we had to apply for retrospective planning permission. Thankfully it was granted and we were able to keep the workshop.

As we had the workshops hand built on site I was able to specify how I wanted the inside space to work for me. I had it all weatherproofed and insulated and then lined with tongue and groove on the walls and ceiling, with windows along the side facing out to the garden and glazed double doors facing the house. As the garden is quite shady I needed all the light I could get so painted the inside walls all white, leaving the ceiling natural pine. In hindsight, I wish I had installed some skylights as I have to have fluorescent lighting on all the time I work in there. I had loads of electrical sockets fitted along the side wall and twin sockets fitted in the ceiling above my work table for the iron and sewing machine.

I needed lots of shelving to store all my fabric and finished on-line shop/craft fair items plus bookshelves for my crafting books I also needed hooks in the ceiling and a small curtain rail to hang finished window dressings.

I have a long 3mtr. x 1.5mtr table on trestles that I can raise or lower, and all my rolls of fabric are stored on shelves below. An old utility cupboard stores tools and paints for my re-upholstery projects, and as my daughter’s dolls house has found its way in there too I use it to store threads and bits and pieces. I still need to fit a suitable floor covering. The original wood chip floor is difficult to sweep, but a smooth laminate would be ideal. Next summer’s project, perhaps?

My fabric stash is my favourite part – it helps to inspire me. I try to keep it tidy but it is so difficult, pulling out a folded length of fabric inevitably starts the piles tumbling! I store my vintage fabrics, embroidered linens, ribbons and lace in see- through, lidded bins, so I can see, and remember, what I’ve got to use.

The big table plays the most important part in the workshop. It’s where I can lay out my furnishing fabrics to measure and cut accurately for curtains and blinds; where I can keep them flat as I’m hand-stitching them and where I can spread my vintage pieces for inspiration when coming up with new ideas for my home accessories. As the table is lightly padded and covered tightly with calico, I do all my pressing on it; can cover it with polythene to paint furniture and do my upholstery on it; and can pile up all my items when planning and pricing up for craft fairs.

I suppose my sewing machines are just as important as the table. I have a trusty 15 year old Pfaff 7570 which I tend to use most of the time, and an extremely old Pfaff with an industrial motor, which goes super fast and is ideal for sewing up curtain linings and loose covers. The overlocker is also important to me as it helps to produce a neat and professional looking finish to all my work.

The thing I love most about my workspace is the fact that I can shut myself in my workshop, away from domestic drudgery and demanding teenagers, and surround myself with lovely fabrics, craft books, magazines and my (sometimes quite loud) music is inspiration itself. Once I’m down there I just want to get making.

For more information on Deborah and her work please visit:

Website: http://www.prettygoods.co.uk/
Folksy: http://www.folksy.com/shops/prettygoods