Amisha Ariyaratnam

My Story

Who I am

Hi, I'm Amisha, a self-taught Seamstress. I'm from a Sri-Lankan Tamil background, who grew up in London. I love designing and creating clothes from scratch and I wanted to incorporate both sides of my background by creating western and traditional South Asian clothes. I've been sewing for over 9 years now, and I'm always finding new inspiration to keep my ideas fresh.

My grandma was a seamstress so I used to play around with the sewing machine for fun, which quickly turned into a passion for it. I began experimenting with fabrics, patterns, and up-cycling old clothes to create something unique. I picked up the skills very quickly and soon started making my own clothes, small things like skirts, dresses and tops. My passion fuelled me to learn more, and I started to teach myself watching tutorials. My skills grew stronger and I started making traditional Asian attire.

When I'm not sewing, I'll probably be sketching my next designs, thrifting for inspiration, or overloading on coffee while reading a book. I also love going to the gym, going for walks and baking goods.

Garment making

I create complete garments from start to finish, taking care with every stage of the process. From preparing fabrics and patterns to stitching everything together, I focus on making pieces that are professional, comfortable, and true to the original design & vision.

Pattern making

I create my own patterns that are tailored to each garment's shape and style. This includes measuring, adjusting sizes, and refining details so that the final piece fits perfectly and lays correctly on the body.

Fabric cutting

I take extra care when cutting fabric, making sure it's ironed and laid flat. I don't forget to take into account the stretch and texture of each material. This helps achieve clean and accurate pieces that set the foundation for a well-constructed garment.

Alterations

I alter and adjust existing clothing to improve the fit, change the style, or fix any problems. From taking in seams to hemming the length, I aim to make every item look and feel better than when it started.

Hand & Machine sewing

I use both hand-sewing and machine-sewing techniques to create secure seams and neat finishes. By combining the precision from the sewing machine with the delicacy of hand-stitching, I can ensure each item is durable and safe to wear.

Designing & Sketching ideas

I sketch my ideas to explore different designs, styles, colours, and fabrics before creating them. This helps me visualise the final product and explore more ideas with the designs.

Creativity

I enjoy experimenting and trying new things, I like to push myself, out of my comfort to build my imagination. This allows me to approach each garment with fresh ideas and create designs that are unique.

Button & Zip sewing

I attach buttons, zips, and other fastenings securely and neatly, making sure they function, stay on sturdily and suit the garment's design. These small details help complete the piece and improve its overall quality and wearability.

Self-taught Seamstress

Who I am