Published: 11 Aug 2025
How Sewing Helped Salima Find Confidence
After joining our textiles and sewing course, Salima discovered more than new skills. She found confidence and purpose. From tackling new techniques to creating a stunning quilt, sewing has helped her grow in creativity and self-belief.
Salima has been a learner with us for a few years now. However, after becoming unemployed, Salima decided to join our sewing and textile course to “stay positive and productive”. She knew that the courses would allow her to “upgrade skills, stay motivated, and gain a sense of purpose and achievement”. Now, Salima is back in work and still finds the course to be a meaningful and fulfilling part of her routine.
For Salima, that sense of achievement comes most clearly through the process of watching her projects take shape week by week. “There’s something so satisfying about stepping back and seeing how far you’ve come.” Even when the thread tangles or the scissors won’t cooperate, which are all part of the sewing experience, Salima told us, “That little bit of progress puts a real smile on my face.”
Salima has particularly enjoyed creating her quilt, which along with other projects, she’s been working on for the past 3 years. When we visited her class, we were lucky enough to see it in person. It was incredibly impressive (and so large we could barely fit it in the camera lens!). Salima told us, “Once it’s finished, it will feel like a real accomplishment.”
As well as her quilt, Salima has enjoyed trying techniques like bias binding and huswif, which she says ‘pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed it. It’s definitely a skill I’m glad to have picked up.’
She also credits her development to her tutor, “she’s truly inspirational. Her calm and encouraging approach helps you believe in yourself. She pushes you to go further than you thought you could. Her support and belief in us as learners is something I really value.”
Beyond the sewing skills, Salima highlights the wider impact the course has had on her life, “It gives me a real sense of achievement,” she says. “It’s also something I can talk about when I meet new people, and it feels good to say I have a hobby that I love”.
Looking ahead, Salima dreams of one day making a dress she can wear with pride. This is something she’s always seen as too difficult but with everything she’s accomplished so far, she’s beginning to think it just might be possible!
We asked Salima what she would say to someone who was thinking of joining a sewing course. She said, “Just go for it. Start with a taster session or the beginners’ class and see how you feel. If you like it, keep going and if not, at least you’ve tried something new.”
It was a pleasure to meet Salima and see the projects she’s been working on. We can’t wait to see what else she creates!
Feeling inspired to create things you can feel proud of like Salima has?