When I became a mother, my life changed completely. I realised how challenging big life changes can be for your sense of identity, and how it can be a struggle to rediscover the new you.

I found that practising mindful activities, such as hand sewing and sharing this with other women, helped me create a space where we could talk about problems and self-reflect.
This led me to start the ‘Mindful Threads’ community, which focuses on supporting women through the big life changes they face by promoting mindfulness and self-care.

Overview
My creative journey is a long one. I am a qualified teacher and have spent many years teaching in colleges. I have also had success as a designer and worked with many organisations on community projects.
You can learn more about my journey, see press coverage, projects and achievements, below.
Press Coverage
My projects and designs have been featured by many press publications. See my press features below:
- Salford Now – Fashion Salford Museum
- BBC – Vintage Style the Rise of Retro
- In Your Area – Manchester Mums Photo-shoot
- The Messenger Newspaper – Mums Cave
- Wellbeing Magazine – Mums Cave
- Guardian – Media City on Monday
- MMU – Collette Costello
- ASOS – Collette Costello Vintage Store
- Red On-line – Retro Dressmaking
- Retro to Go – Retro Dressmaking
- Cameos and Espadrilles – Inspirational women
- Salford City Radio – Salford Has Talent
- Exposure – Fashion On-line | Collette Costello
- MEN – Salford Firm Finds Victorian
- Mancunian Matters – The Online Fashion Boom
- BBC Radio Simone Riley – Manchester Mums shoot
Achievements
I have been fortunate to receive funding, awards, and other opportunities. See some of my achievements below:
- Collection Stocked Salford Museum Shop 2024
- Published book ‘Sewing for Beginners Made Easy’ 2024
- Trafford Neighbourhood Award Winner 2023 (Vintage Stitch)
- Reframe Women in Tech Speaker 2023
- Manchester Open Exhibitor 2019/2022
- Manchester Fashion Awards Winner 2010
- Salford Business Start-up Awards Winner 2008
- Princes Trust Funding Winner 2009
Projects
Community is at the heart of my work. I have been involved with many projects, taught workshops and organised photoshoots. See examples below:
- Manchester Youth Zone, sewing workshops 2025
- Urmston Books Shop, Mums Sewing Social 2025
- Manchester sewing classes 2025
- Trafford school, e-textiles workshop 2025
- EWLP Community Nature Park, content design 2025
- Sew Sub Club online fashion courses 2024
- Make Build Grow CIC, workshop supplies 2023
- Goodness Zero Waste, sewing/wellbeing workshop 2023
- Dyslexic Mum founder, dyslexia support website 2023
- Trafford Council funded, PND mums workshops 2022
- Manchester mum authors, photo shoot 2022
- Storyelling Fabrics Collection 2012
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