Twillys

05/09/2026

Well the weather is certainly changing. We have been in undated with zip repairs and replacements this week. If the slider has come off, we can sometimes replace the slider, this is not always possible. If the teeth or coil are damaged then usually it will need to be replaced. Colour matching is the hardest part of most zip replacements.

04/09/2026

Yep ! everyday

29/08/2026

Firstly I want to thank everyone who has dropped hand machines off for charity, they will be collected very soon, and go to help get the young girls off the streets in Africa. Your generosity really has overwhelmed me, and so many interesting stories on some of the machines. Tuesday i broke my glasses, and for a quick fix I glued them, only the glue wasn't quite dry when I put them back on, yep they stuck to my nose 🤣. Just been one of them weeks, a bit like the weather, good days and bad. Some before and after pics. I didn't quite understand the socks, cutting the feet off, and then hemming the calf part, but the young ladies was thrilled. School blazer with an arm hanging off now ready for back to school next week. Jeans let out with decorative tabs both sides, actually look like they were designed like that. And the seat of jeans repaired and reinforced.

20/08/2026

Do you have a hand machine sitting and gathering dust, taking up room ?
Most of our machines in the window, are donated to us. When we get to many, we contact Tools for Africa. They come and collect them, they service them, then ship them to African countries, not for sale. They currently run projects, where they take young girls and boys, off the streets where they have been (in most cases) used for prostitution. They teach them to sew, at the end of their course for a peppercorn price, these youngsters can then buy a tea chest, which contains, a machine, needles threads scissors, zips buttons etc. They are then helped to return to their villages and towns, where they can support themselves and their families. We are having a collection from the charity in 2 weeks time, so if you have a machine and would like to donate, please drop it in. You could be changing a life. Please note HAND machines only as most villages do not have electricity.

15/08/2026

Still clearing our store room, am about halfway there. Lots of sale items here at Twillys in Petersfield every Saturday. If you can't make today, find us at Petersfield CARRR boot sale this Sunday 16th August at The Avenue Pavilion.

13/08/2026

I know the sun is shining and it's incredibly hot, but let's talk Back to School.
Firstly we are extending our school uniform promotion, as many parents are struggling with delivery times, any school uniform alteration is 25% off until the 22nd August. We cannot guarantee anything brought in after this date will be ready for the new term.
Secondly, yes we can shorten pleated skirts, currently £15 with our promotion. We will not shorten these to obscene lengths, so your daughter needs to try on in store.

08/08/2026

Good morning on this beautiful Saturday. Our sale continues again. We have 3m pieces of fabric £3 each. Lots of sew on patches, lace and ribbon s 50p each, balls of yarn 50p each, knitting needles 20p pair, buttons in boxes £1 per box, buttons in packets 50p per pack, machi es, Brother strong and tough, ideal beginner machine, £80, Blind hemmer £200. Pop in and take a look.

31/07/2026

Ooh bored grandchildren on hols from college, looking to earn some summer cash are just wonderful . Had my grandson Lewis in today. The workshop is s**c and span and tidy (for 5 mins). Had a sort out in our store room which in all honesty needs a huge clear out. Bags of reels of threads 100 in a bag, yes i made him count them at £5 per bag(thats 5p each). Lace and haberdashery from 50p , Invisible skirt zips 20p each. Fabric at £3 (most being 3m pieces). This will be available Saturdays ONLY through August. Also from 1st to 15th August, 25% off all school uniform alterations.

23/07/2026

Shared from another seamstress, always be kind. When a man compliments you its always nice, but when a woman compliments you , it makes you feel amazing, come on ladies we really need to start supporting each other more.

There has been something on my mind over the last few days.

When Andy Burnham arrived at Downing Street, alongside him was his wife, Marie-France van Heel. Instead of celebrating such a significant moment, social media was flooded with comments picking apart her appearance. The criticism? That her stomach wasn’t perfectly flat.

As a seamstress, I see women of every age, shape and size. I meet women preparing for weddings, proms, special occasions and everyday life. And one thing I wish every woman knew is this:

There is no such thing as the “perfect” body.

Our bodies tell our stories. They carry us through life. They change through motherhood, illness, surgery, stress, menopause, ageing, and simply… living.

Marie-France is a mother of three, had a double mastectomy, speaks three languages, is a successful marketing executive, and someone who has spent years supporting her family while largely staying out of the public eye. Yet, within minutes of stepping into the spotlight, strangers reduced her to the shape of her stomach.

That says far more about society than it does about her.

In my studio, you’ll never be judged by your dress size or your body shape.

My job isn’t to make you fit into clothes.

My job is to make clothes fit you.

Every fitting is about helping you feel comfortable, confident and like the very best version of yourself. Whether you’re a size 6 or a size 26, whether your body has changed through pregnancy, illness or simply the passage of time, you deserve to wear clothes that make you stand a little taller.

Let’s stop criticising women’s bodies.

Let’s stop expecting perfection.

And let’s start celebrating the incredible lives those bodies have lived.

Because confidence will always be more beautiful than perfection.

Photo from: bbc.co.uk

16/07/2026

Hems.
This week has had some funny moments, and some frustrating ones too.
Most not understanding that it takes more than 5 minutes, but some not understanding that everything that comes in is done in order it comes in. And that we do get busy. The date we give is our MAXIMUM time, it usually is done quickly, and we give a 100% refund if the item is not ready on specified date.
Others ask why the difference in price between 1 item than another. Especially on Hems. Some are very straightforward, whilst others have linings, and some are so full they take longer. We price on time, the amount of time it takes to shorten.
Which of these do you think took the longest?