Staycation Collaboration

Sindy Sue:

Sue with her 'mini-me Sindy '

MEET SEWIST 53

Sue Scrase is a maker, teacher and Sindy mama. And, affectionally known as 'Sindy Sue' . She lives in Norfolk.

Ella and I have been Instagram friends for years, until we did actually meet in person when we were both selling at Clutter City in Norwich around 2015. I had two Sindys on my stall as a diorama centrepiece set around my fabric dolls and other craft stuff I was selling, we chatted and she told me that she has a pink haired Sindy. Thereafter, whenever I would order from her shop (I REALLY love her whimsical imaginative style) she would always pop in a little ‘gift’ for Sindy… sometimes it would be a little scrap of Japanese fabric that she had left over from a project and I would make things out of it.

When her bag and purse kits launched, the challenge of making one for Sindy, was when we started talking about her designing some fabric that I could use for a collection. We chatted about it for a while and I was encouraged by people like my friend Karen @kazzas _ world. Early this year I suggested Ella and I meet for a coffee as things were beginning to open up post Covid-19. It was FABULOUS!

Ella had been telling me about the themes she was playing with (travel and craft) - at first it was longing for worldwide travel for her, but with the pandemic and everything that was happening it evolved into staycations. I had already started on some designs for a capsule wardrobe to take travelling and the luggage to go with it, so it was just a matter of incorporating her fabric and individual motif designs into the collection. The idea behind my collections is that the pieces all fit together and can be mixed and matched to make your own outfits. 'The Miss Ella Staycation Collection by Sewist 53' includes 10 fashion pieces including among others a long, linen travelling coat with big pockets, pattern clash skirts & playsuits with peplum frills, gingham lined 'mum' jeans, cropped sweatshirts, and even some pyjamas that can be worn as day shirt & trousers too.

There will of course be some luggage - a large travel bag, handbags, rucksacks and some retro style vanity cases. Also included in the range is some 3D printed clogs, flasks, lunchboxes, takeaway coffee cups and a very cute travel sewing kit.

Sindy will also have her own OS map too. On here will be the place she is going to for her staycation, 'Bunnyville Biscuit' designed and totally imagined by Ella. In the town of lower Bunnyville Biscuit there is a very famous bakery - run by Sweet Treats Sindy and home of the very famous ‘Bunnyville Biscuit’ (made by Michele @miniaturesbymichele) here you can also buy a tee shirt in the gift shop with the bunny on it and the lands name!

MEET MISS ELLA

Miss Ella lives and loves in a fairytale world of wonder and kitties and fluffy pink cream puffs! The real Ella Goodwin lives in Norfolk.

My parents taught at the local art school and I remember being able to go in and make my Sindy doll's furniture from blocks of wood in the workshop. Growing up as an only child I was self sufficient in entertaining myself. A love of making things started young and, as a teenager, I’d scour the Sally Army for curtains to make into dresses, moving on to take various courses in Fashion and Costume in Sheffield and then in London. For a time after that I made costumes and then learnt how to digitise for embroidery. At that point, I discovered software and fell into the digital world. I went on to do my BA in Graphic Design and Animation at NUA focusing on stop motion and making puppets. Then an MA in Animation, where I focused on animating and coding interactive websites for various sectors including education, exhibitions, e-commerce, artists and musicians.

Miss Ella started in 2012 when I uploaded an illustration of a cat on a sewing machine to Etsy, called "Catsuit" - and it sold! Then I made more. Then they sold too. Then I thought, hey I could pull all of my skills together and slowly but surely a business came together that combined making, learning, creating and making your space uplifting and beautiful! I am inspired by travel and I collect all sorts of vintage and reference books, ephemera and love to get lost in stories old and new. I love fabrics, patterns and colour! I’d been following Sue’s Instagram for a while, I absolutely love the way Sue tells the story of her Sindy clan. It's always so joyful, fresh and creative! We had discussed a collaboration previously but when Sue pinned me down earlier this year, I said ' yes please' . We had some lovely meet ups, all the Sindy ’s were involved in the creative chats and coffees! and, the themes for the two collections evolved from there. I designed and illustrated the fabrics and just had to include something involving sewing as it’s such a passion for both of us.

Having been tied to the house for so long some kind of travel felt like a wonderful escape, so that was the inspiration for the Staycation collection. I have always shied away from any kind of collaboration before as it never quite fitted, but with Sue it couldn’t have been more perfect! Sue has made such beautiful outfits and accessories - and in fact the collection inspired more illustrated elements such as the Bunnyville Biscuit Adventure Map.

I’ ve actually used the fabric designs for more big person things too such as my purses, kits and stationery sets. I can’t wait to see it all come together! I hope you love it as much as we do!

SEE THE STAYCATION COLLECTON

Travel to Bunnyville Biscuit in 'The Miss Ella Collection by Sewist 53' mix & match fashions designed by Sewist Sue using illustrations by Miss Ella... launching this month!

> Pleated mini dresses with pockets in the side (yippee!)

> The collection will include various printed travel bags - roomy enough for plenty of Sindy fashions. > Pattern Clash: Colourful skirts teamed with sleeveless printed peplum tops worn with Sue's classic tights.

> The pale pink beauty/vanity case with Ella’s decoration to the lid and sides and faux leather pink strap. They will contain a surprise toiletry item

> Sindy has her own OS map of the place she is going on her staycation, called Bunnyville Biscuit. Where you can pick up a souvenir t-shirt and of course, the infamous biscuit.

> Ella's distinctive and whimsical illustration style is easy to spot!

> Cream linen cropped baggy trousers with Ella’s motif on the trousers leg worn with 3D clogs.

> Sleeveless playsuits with a peplum frill

> Travel Snacks: There will also be a pale pink lunch box with Ella’s decoration to the lid and box, containing a sandwich, a bag of crisps and a matching flask, again with Ella’s decoration, with a separate lid, with an ‘S’ logo inside.

SHOP HERE: 'THE MISS ELLA COLLECTION BY SEWIST 53' @sewist53 www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Sewist53 @missellaillustrator www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ShopMissElla

> The striking long, linen travelling coat with big pockets and contrasting shoulder bag perfect for those travel essentials

> Spring 2022: Ella & Sue meet to discuss the collection, over coffee of course...