A SEAMSTRESS with more than ten years of experience has opened a home studio.

Lisa Tomlinson, 31, runs Eastleigh Sewing Specialist having opened it four years ago when she was on maternity leave.

But now with her business growing, she has decided to build a brand-new home office in her garden.

Lisa, who has a degree in fashion design, has been sewing since the age of 19.

She said: “I decided I didn’t want to go back to work full time and miss out on quality time with my family.

“I started off on the dining room table, then recently we built this big office in the garden and now I have this great professional space.

“My work and family life balance are a lot better now, compared to going to work for someone else and having set hours.”

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On the opening day of her home studio, Lisa invited all her neighbours over for champagne and canapes.

She said “they were really impressed” and were “all very happy and supportive”.

Lisa offers sewing services from bridal alterations, soft furnishings, and memory bears.

During the lockdown of 2020, bridal and clothing alterations stopped for Lisa immediately.

As a result, she started to make memory bears and had now made more than 200.

Many of these are made from clothes belonging to loved ones who want a comforting keepsake.

For more see facebook.com/EastleighSewingSpecialist