Fashion designer in a race for funding boost

A talented Lanarkshire entrepreneur is on a mission to pin down funding that will help her to create a close-knit community of sewing bees.

Fashion designer Nicole Christie aims to boost mental health and tackle loneliness and depression by encouraging people to learn how to sew, with everything at their fingertips.

Nicole’s business, Ellipsis, is one of 20 to be shortlisted in Creative Scotland’s Crowdmatch initiative.

Ellipsis has the opportunity to win a share of £75,000 in match funding, up to £10,000 per project, in a race which launched on Monday, March 14.

Her dream is to start a new area of Ellipsis, named ‘Make It Yourself,’ due to launch in September.

“My plan is to create boxes containing pre-cut fabric and fastenings for you to create the item of your choice,” explained Nicole, who was one of only four designers in the UK to win an internship which took her to Milan. She has been featured in Vogue magazine, amongst others.

“The boxes will contain QR codes that will allow you to access the online Make it Yourself community, step by step tutorials, as well as a help and advice forum. You will have the opportunity to connect with likeminded people and share your love of sewing.

“Make it Yourself aims to create a safe space to ask questions and be inspired by others’ creativity. Sewing has been proven to have a positive effect on our mental health, tackling loneliness and depression with learning a new skill and bringing together communities of people.”

With a variety of different items to choose from, the boxes are available to all ages and levels of sewers, and Nicole is particularly keen to welcome beginners.

The more pledges Ellipsis raises, the more Creative Scotland will donate towards the project. The match funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis - so it is a race.

Each pledge towards the project will come with a special reward, as Nicole’s way of showing her gratitude for support.

These rewards include handmade, personalised items and pre-orders of Make It Yourself boxes.

The 26-year-old businesswoman says the project’s most rewarding pledge is ‘Support a Community,’ which means that simply by pledging, you will be helping to donate five sewing machines to a community group and a three-hour master class from Nicole.

The first group to benefit from the project sis Waist Not Want Not - an independent charity which aims to alleviate poverty, disadvantage, isolation and loneliness in the community by providing a safe space where people can come along, learn new skills and meet friends.

“The more pledges we receive for this reward, the more communities we can support across Scotland,” said Nicole.

“And the more pledges we are lucky enough to receive, the bigger chance we have to start this new journey for Ellipsis Make It Yourself.”

To pledge your support for Nicole’s venture, visit www.crowdfunder. co.uk/p/ellipsis-make-it-yourself