Beverley is the amazing creator behind the gorgeous makes at Pip & Bindle, her creations are both practical and stunning. Her purses are massive! Big enough to fit all your cards, money and even your mobile phone – I should know as I’ve got one and I absolutely love it, I get lots of lovely comments about it too!
As well as purses, Beverley also makes bags, glasses cases and accessories with a range to suit any budget. If you’re stuck for a gift for a friend then Beverley can most certainly help you out, either choose from her range of ready-made items or contact her to design the perfect gift for that special someone. She can even offer to embroider your piece with a phrase or initials to make that gift truly unique.
How did you come up with your business name?
Pip is my nickname for my daughter Emma, and Bindle is the nickname for my son Robbie. When I started my business, I knew I wanted to use my creativity with fabrics and possibly surface pattern design too, but I wasn’t sure exactly which direction I would go in. I purposely chose a name that could grow with me whatever I produced and had sentimental value.
What is your favourite product?
I love making the Clutch wallets. They look good in so many different fabrics and the final stage when all the individual pattern pieces are brought together is very rewarding.
What is your favourite biscuit?
Custard creams, they’ve been my favourite forever, and they must be dunked in my cup of tea.
What is your background?
Gosh I’ve done all sorts – but in the beginning I studied fashion and textile design followed by surface pattern design. My first work after finishing studying was as a freelance surface pattern designer, mainly designing pattern for interior fabrics and wall papers. I’ve spent some of my 20’s and 30’s in other industries, I’ve worked for Vodafone as a retail store manager and as a teaching assistant in both primary and secondary schools. It has always been a part of me to be creative and colourful, but I’ve often found it hard to focus on one thing because I like so many different things and get easily distracted. I started my business in 2018 when I had a strong craving to be creative again and an overwhelming feeling that my well-being needed it.
Where did you start and where are you now?
I started by getting a fancy embroidery machine and then experimenting making things (sewn things) and then embroidering them. I made embroidered handkerchiefs, silky summer dressing gowns, table decorations and even a children’s soft toy with an embroidered face. Then I made my Nan a bag specifically to attach to her walking frame with lots of useful compartments and sentimental messages embroidered on. That was when I knew I’d found what I wanted to do, make beautiful bags in colourful fabrics but making them super functional too – for people who want to be organised and look unique and colourful.
I still work from home in my sewing studio but I’ve also taken over the conservatory where I store fabric and have a photography area set up. I have lots more equipment now and a huge stash of fabrics.
What fabrics and colours do you like to work with and why?
My favourite colours are turquoise and purple probably because they are so bright and vibrant together. I really love all bold bright colours and patterns. I love working with cork fabric because it sews so well and because it is a sustainable fabric made from the bark of the oak cork tree. Cotton is another fabric that is great to sew with but there has been a lot of talk in the press about how much water it uses to produce so I’m looking into organic cotton for the future.
Tell me about a time that you messed up. How did you fix it?
My stitch-unpick is my best friend, there have been many occasions when I’ve messed up and sewn something upside down or inside out but I’m lucky in the fact that I can unpick, iron and re-sew in most instances.
How do you market your business?
I have a website and I also have Facebook and Instagram pages
Where do you see your business in 5 years time?
I would love to be using fabric prints that I have designed myself. I would also like to have grown my customer following with receiving more great reviews, word of mouth and social media.
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Be organised from the start, have a plan, schedule your time and don’t forget to allocate time to do more scheduling and planning ? I was totally over-whelmed by how much time I needed to spend on my social media accounts so that people knew I existed. There’s no point spending all your time making lovely things to sell if nobody sees it.
Check out Beverley’s Website at https://pipandbindle.co.uk/ and her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PipandBindle/
