Wendy Gardiner
Wendy Gardiner is the editor of Sewing World magazine, author of 12 books and 8 dvds, co-founder of ISEW, mother of 2 and all round sewing expert! We ask Wendy about her various roles and how she finds inspiration for the magazine, her books and her dvds. Having been in the industry for over 26 years Wendy passes on some valuable advice:
How did you first get into sewing? 
My mum taught me from a young age, I used to make clothes for my teddies and dolls because there weren't the range of dolls clothes available then like there are now. If you wanted different clothes you had to make them. I also studied sewing at school although I tested the patience of the teachers because I always wanted to make something different from what I was supposed to be making! For my sewing O-level I made a large circular chair like a sausage rolled up and historical costumes for dolls.
Did you always know you wanted to work within the sewing industry?
No, not really I'd always considered it as a hobby but had never really thought of pursuing it as a career. My way into the industry was working on an army magazine when I was living in Germany as an army wife. That gave me journalistic training, I was responsible for the whole thing from writing it to typing it and laying it out and then another army wife printed it.
How did you get from that into the sewing industry?
When I returned from the army I started working for Butterick and Vogue as their UK editor. Being as I had sewing experience from school and journalist experience from the army magazine it was the perfect combination for the job. I had always been sewing since school age; I sewed my dress for my 18th and my wedding dress too.
What does your job as editor of sewing world involve on a day to day basis?
I'm responsible for everything going into the magazine editorially. Basically I start off with a blank sheet of paper and I have to then commission articles, decide what is going to go in, what colour schemes we'll be using along with sub editing everything that comes in and writing articles myself too.
How do you come up with ideas for the content of the magazine?
I plan a general theme for each issue for the whole year ahead. I then invite my regular contributors to come up with ideas to fulfil that plan and I send out project ideas that I already have to contributors and ask them to try them.
Although we have the themes set for the year we work around 3-4 issues in advance to keep it contemporary. You can't be too set in stone. Some things I know a year or so in advance that they are going into the magazine and others things just fit as we go along.
In what way does Sewing World differentiate itself from the other sewing magazines out there?
We are a more ‘grown up' sewing magazine aimed at people who sew, love to sew or are just learning. Our contributors are experts and love to share and pass on their skills. Whilst we have a very diverse readership, most of our readers are mums and grandmothers. Some of the new sewing titles however are aimed at young beginners so there really is something for everyone. 
What would you say is the most enjoyable aspect of the job?
I love that it is different every month.
What is the worst part of the job?
Deadlines! There are constant deadlines and it can be quite pressurised trying to meet them. You cannot have 2 weeks off without a lot of forward planning, and you can never be ill! Deadlines are immoveable and I cannot delegate, it is all down to me.
Where do you get the inspiration for your books and dvds?
The dvds are about subjects that I know are important, things readers have commented on or that people say they like. I take that feedback and then approach the publishers and say why don't we do a dvd on this?
With regards to the books that has always been the other way around. The publishers have always come to me and said we're looking for someone to write this book, will you do it?
Do you have to do a lot of research for the books?
No, the books I've written are nearly all about sewing so the information is already in my head.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
About 3 months.
Are you working on any new books or dvds at the moment?
Yes, I'm shooting a new dvd, dressmaking part 2. A follow up from my previous dvd Sew Easy Dressmaking. This dvd will be taking it one step further, making it just that little bit more complex.
With regards to books, a new one has just been published by David & Charles, The Sewing Bible - Curtains and a second in that series (Slip Covers) comes out in Spring next year. Now I am writing the third in the series on dressmaking for new sewers. It will be from beginners to intermediate level.
Obviously sewing is becoming a lot more popular at the moment, what advice could you give to people who want to start sewing but don't really know where to start?
Just have a go and don't be frightened of it. There is so much information on the internet now. You can watch clips on You Tube, you can go on sites like ISEW where there's loads of techniques and articles and information, most the sewing machine companies have projects you can download for free and pattern companies have a range of patterns that are suitable for beginners.
Are there any particular things that are best for beginner to start with?
It all depends on your shape really. For instance a skirt is pretty easy but if you have a huge difference between your waist and your hips it will need some alterations (choose for hip size and then alter the waist). Likewise a top can be simple to make if you are a standard size but once you get above a c-cup you have to make alterations which makes it more complex. I like sewing with jersey as it is so forgiving and providing you use a ball point needle it is easy to do.
What advice or tips could you give for anyone who wanted to write a sewing related book?
You have to be very clear about what you want to cover as it's virtually impossible to cover everything. Even the big books of sewing encyclopaedias and bibles can't cover everything so you have to be very specific. You need to know exactly what you are going to write about, set it out into chapters and know how long each chapter will be. It is a lot of work to break down an idea for a book into proper format. You also have to aim it at a specific audience.
How do you manage to balance being a mum, writing books and dvds along with being editor of sewing world? Do you actually have any time left for sewing?
I don't have as much time to sew as I would like. I do get a bit more nowadays as now my younger son is 11 he doesn't need the time and attention that younger children do. As long as I'm around and feed and water him on a regular basis he's fine!
You do have to be very disciplined though. Although I work from home when I go into my office it is like going to work, I work from quarter to 9 until 12, have a 20 minute break and then work until 6. I also dress for the office, no jeans or informal clothes. Sometimes friends and family can find it hard that I am so disciplined and won't just stop for coffee breaks here and there. In a way though you can get more done from home as you don't have colleagues interrupting you, meetings, chats at the coffee machine etc. Also you can prioritise your work, you don't have someone else telling you what to do and when. It does mean you can work late or at weekends very easily too as you don't have to go out to work.
Do you have any plans for the future beyond what you are doing at the moment?
I would love to do TV presenting. I have done little things like QVC but have not had the time to take it further at the moment. I would love to present a sewing program.
Find out more about Sewing World magazine by visiting http://www.sewingworldmagazine.com/, Wendy's books and dvds can be purchased from all good stockists and her website can be found at http://www.isew.co.uk/.
