Design

I design each product myself but I’m often inspired by fellow designers and makers. I like to play around with colour, texture and shape and sometimes incorporate applique or other creative techniques in the design. I really enjoy the creative process and pride myself on my attention to detail and quality of the finished item.

Make

Every product I sell is handmade personally by me in my workshop in Billericay Essex. I use a variety of carefully selected natural fabrics including silk, wool and some vintage. Quite often I use 100% wool tweeds woven in Wales by my sister. Her tweed is unique, beautiful, soft, hardwearing and lovely to work with.

Sell

I sell mostly at high quality craft and design shows. See my Events page for information. My products are also sold in a few selected outlets. See Where to Buy.

I'm Liz Kemp and welcome to my website.

To learn more about me, why I started Lizzington and what I do, please read on or watch my video.

I spent most of my life working in local government until I was made redundant in 2011. After the initial shock of redundancy I decided to look on the positive side and do something I have always wanted to do - start my own business. I have been sewing for as long as I can remember, making clothes, curtains, cushions - you name it, I've had a go at making it! I was mostly taught by my mum, who is my greatest inspiration.

When I was a child my mum would sit at her industrial sewing machine creating all sorts of amazing things, from fabulous clothes to soft toys and stunning pantomime costumes. Sadly she passed away in the summer of 2008. I felt she had left me a great talent and ability that I wasn't using so I started evening classes and after 2 years achieved a City & Guilds distinction in Soft Furnishings. With the confidence of the qualification, and the encouragement of my tutor and friends, I decided to turn my hobby and learning into a business. Taking my nickname as my business name, I created Lizzington.

I am also greatly inspired by my sister, who trained as a designer pattern cutter and now weaves the most beautiful cloth. Luckily I get the opportunity to use some of her wonderful fabrics in my products.

This is me as a baby with my sister and a little older but still as close.