In 1986 she obtained a lectureship at West Cumbria College, where she stayed as lecturer-in-charge of Fashion until 1996. Here, teaching included leisure courses in addition to City & Guilds Creative Studies Fashion. Jo also had the opportunity during this time to gain her City & Guilds Creative Studies in Embroidery Part 2 level, which she has taught since that time.
Maddi, Sandra, Ana, Elisabeth, Beth and Jo
Starting from a teaching base, the business venture has developed in a steady but gradual way, although teaching still forms the backbone of Jo´s working week. The love of sharing information with others, working with people who are inspired by fabrics and colours - and who enjoy working in a creative environment - are the main reasons for running the classes.
The business is now multi-faceted and includes teaching, dressmaking commissions, retail of dress fabrics and haberdashery & sewing machines, together with crafts and garment alterations.
Throughout her teaching career Jo has been involved in the setting and marking of public examination papers at "A" and GCSE level, working for a variety of examination boards. She continues to work for AQA in Newcastle.
After 6 years in Egremont, the business moved to exciting new premises in Ulverston in 2002. With more space & in comfortable surroundings of considerable character, the business has continued to develop strongly and now offers an exciting range of creative courses, Ladies and Gents formal hire, dry cleaning, sale of Horn cabinets, Pfaff and Elna sewing machines and of course, commissions for wedding dresses and all garments for special occasions!
Maddi had an independent career before taking the City & Guilds Creative Studies Fashion course here at Unique Image in 2004 and is now deputy manager.
