Teachers at Sew In Brighton

We have a team of fun & friendly sewing & dressmaker teachers, all of whom have worked as fashion designers, pattern cutters, theatrical costume makers or tailors.

Kat Neeser - Sew In Brighton sewing school owner and teacher

Kat Neeser 

Sew in Brighton owner and teacher Kat Neeser (above) has 33 years experience of design, sewing and pattern cutting. She has been sewing since she was a child. Studying fashion Design for 4 years at Epsom Art College, she went on to run her own fashion label, Wit & Wisdom in London from 1993-2001. The brand included a clothing production unit, retail shop, 200 high street concessions and international wholesale business. She has been teaching sewing and pattern cutting in Brighton since 2008 and is the founder of Sew In Brighton Sewing School

"The class was great - Kat was so helpful & friendly and gave many suggestions as to what to make" Charlotte Fay, Bristol

Melanie Roberts

After a degree from Brighton University, and a City and Guilds in Fashion, Melanie has worked as a self employed dressmaker since 1998, starting with designing and making clothes for herself and friends. She has made anything from coats and suits, to wedding dresses, evening wear, casual wear and kids clothes. She also does alterations, curtains, blinds and cushions. She works from home, where she sees clients for measuring, fittings, and free advice and consultations. 

See website and Facebook for lots of pics of her work…
Website - melrobertsdressmaker.com Facebook - Melanie Roberts Dressmaker.

"I've been delegated by the group to say a massive thank you, through you, to Mel. All four of us had a lovely morning with her. She was brilliant. It was such a nice group and we really gelled. It was great morning. Thank you very much - please do pass feedback on." Sally, Brighton

Hannah Evans

Hannah has spent the majority of her career sewing in some capacity. She has been making & doing for as long as she can remember.

Trained in soft furnishing production, as well as pattern making & garment construction, Hannah’s most recent professional life has spanned the extremes of commercial aircraft interior design to designing & making Bellydance costuming for a recent national touring production.

Hannah currently freelances, making home furnishings, special event clothing, costuming, tailoring, altering, & up cycling.

She has a passion for vintage & still diversifies greatly in her two current roles of production for a colourful local festival wear label & design for local office furniture brand helping them develop for the current resimercial trend.

Susan Bates, knitting and crochet teacher - lessons at Sew In Brighton, East Sussex

Susan Bates

Susan has published many books on cross stitching and designs cross stitch patterns for craft magazines on a regular basis. She also designs kits for thread manufacturer DMC Creative World. Susan is a life-long knitter and teaches our knitting workshops. 

Susan teaches all levels of knitting, crochet, crosstitch and needlepoint

Phil Bint

Phil Bint is the Art Foundation, Fashion and Textile Pathway at Brighton Met and has 22 years teaching experience covering garment construction, corsetry, Japanese textiles, pattern cutting and tailoring. Phil is also a Specialist Fashion Technician on the Ba (Hons) Fashion course at Northbrook Met.

Phil said "My greatest passion is creative pattern cutting and drafting patterns from scratch.  Just by applying some simple techniques it's possible to make amazing garments."

Phil has also worked in theatre making costume and acted locally in the Brighton Festival. He is married to a Taiwanese wife and has two sons. Phil looks forward to meeting and teaching Sew in Brighton students at The Sewing Lounge.

"Just had my first experience of the Sew in Brighton Sewing School – and it was great! With only six students in the group, we got lots of one-to-one attention from our excellent tutor, Phil. He was very skilled, knowledgeable and patient in helping us how to create a pattern by replicating a favourite garment. All the high-quality equipment you need is provided (including tea and coffee!) and there's plenty of it so no hanging around waiting. Thank you for a really informative day in a friendly environment." Avril, Trustpilot 

Marina Kyriacou

Marina is a keen crocheter known as the Seaside Hooker on Instagram here in Brighton and Hove. Coming from a cultural heritage of sewing and crochet from both grandmothers, Marina picked up a crochet hook a few years ago and has never looked back. In her portfolio is large a range of crochet items including blankets, clothing, amigurumi (small stuffed creatures) and accessories such as purses and bags. Crochet is her happy, calming place, as is sewing! 

Marina also teaches kick boxing and massage which is actually her main trade. She is looking forward to teaching you all how to produce wonderful crochet items.

"We had a great time on the Beginner's Crochet workshop and Marina is a brilliant teacher" - Tracey, Brighton

Elaine Ramsay

Elaine has 30+ years experience as a Fashion Industry Pattern Cutter & Toillist (calico sample sewer) for several High Street Labels including Top Shop, Principles, Wallis & Karen Millen.

Designer Atelier Labels include Roland Mouret & The Vampire's Wife cutting & draping to fit Celebrities & Royalty.

Elaine teaches Stitch! Sewing and Clothes Making Sessions, Ultimate Complete Beginners Sewing DayReplicate your clothes and 1-2-1 lessons