Meet Our New Apprentices
September was a busy month for us here at Helen Round. Two new makers joined our lovely team and are now working with us in the studio. They have started an apprenticeship programme where they will gradually learn all the necessary skills to pattern cut, sew and finish all of the products we sell both in the shop, online and with our stockists. As well as working in the studio, they will also help out in the print room, attend retail and trade shows and work in our shop at Mount Edgcumbe. Hayley, who has been with us since 2012, and also completed the apprenticeship programme at the start of her career, has recently started a degree in Illustration at Plymouth College of Art. She will still be working in the studio part time but has handed over the role of studio manager to Megan. Jaymie and Willow have settled in really well and under Meg's excellent guidance, they are learning all about linen, picking up lots of new sewing skills and are enjoying being part of the team.
Meet Willow......
Hello, I'm Willow. I have recently left school having completed AS level qualifications and have always loved Art and Textiles. As well as sewing I really enjoy painting and am inspired by the local beaches and natural landscapes of this beautiful part of south east Cornwall where I live. I'm really excited to be working in such a creative environment where I can use my love of making as a job. I've only been here for a few weeks, but have learnt so much already and am looking forward to developing my skills. So far, I've really enjoy making peg bags because you get to use both the straight sewing machine, the overlocker and the iron to press hems in place. I'm looking forward to finding out how to make cushions with invisible zips as the Garden cushion in the raspberry linen is my favourite product. As well as working in the studio, I have been helping Helen in the print room, getting the linen fabric ready for print and passing each piece through the dryer which cures and dries the screen printed image, updating the stock sheets and learning about stock control. It's great to have found a creative apprenticeship so close to home and I really think it's a brilliant trade to work in and learn.
Meet Jaymie......
Hi, I'm Jaymie. I have enjoyed arts and crafts from a very young age and, as a hobby, have been crocheting and knitting gifts for family and friends over the last four years. I was looking for a career where I could use my creativity and came across the opportunity to become an apprentice at Helen Round. After successfully completing a trial day and an interview, I was offered the chance to become part of the team. I have been working in the studio for three weeks now and have learnt something new every day. Megan, the studio manager, has been guiding us through new techniques on a step by step basis. I am already able to make lavender bags, peg bags, bread bags and pencil cases to a very high standard required of all the products we sell. I have especially liked making pencil cases as, before this, didn't know how to sew a zip into a product. I'm looking forward to learning how to make toiletry bags (more zips!) as the Garden raspberry linen design is my favourite from the collection. I feel very lucky to be part of the the team, everyone is really kind and it's like being in a family. I am so happy with my work life right now and am excited to achieve so much more in the months and years to come.
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