The Thrifty Stitcher is run by Claire-Louise Hardie a respected UK sewing expert and the first, original Sewing Producer & Mastermind for The Great British Sewing Bee( Series 1-4). She offers online sewing classes for absolute beginners and aspiring DIY dressmakers.
In 2020 after gaining a Masters from London College of fashion in digital pattern technology, Claire-Louise launched a monthly online sewing club ” Elevate your Sewing” and has produced over 200 video dressmaking lessons for the membership library, which is where she is delivering her best work
Claire-Louise Hardie
Owner and Teacher
Originally trained as a Costume Designer at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Claire-Louise has worked in all aspects of Costume for Theatre, Film and TV with an impressive CV of employers that includes-
ITV:The RSC:The Royal National Theatre:BBC: Regent’s Park open air Theatre and “The Audience” with Dame Helen Mirren.
Her diverse professional experience made her the perfect candidate for the role of Sewing Producer for TV's ``Great British Sewing Bee``
In 2009 Claire-Louise began teaching sewing in Stoke Newington and through her teaching has regained a love of dressmaking for herself.
When not teaching at The Thrifty Studio she's also a Love sewing Magazine columnist: A Sewing Bee Author, as well as working part time on Good Morning Britain in the Wardrobe team
Her first book: ``The Great British Sewing Bee- Fashion with Fabric`` won best sewing book 2015 in the British Sewing Awards. The book accompanied the third series of the hit TV show
Check out Claire-Louise’s Masters contribution to the V and A’s “Shaping Fashion” exhibition. A truly once in a lifetime experience!
Known as ‘The Master’ of haute couture, Cristóbal Balenciaga produced some of the most influential designs in the history of modern fashion. The V & A invited students from the London College of Fashion to investigate iconic garments by Balenciaga, deconstructing his processes and revealing secrets of their making and construction using digital pattern-cutting technology.
‘Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion’ was on display at the V&A from 27 May 2017 until 18 February 2018