Andrea & Jack | September 2020
Our Story
Our Home
In Aith on the westside of Shetland. Home to Michaels Wood, The Original Cake Fridge and The Aith Charity Shop. A great place to live or for a day trip.
My Sewing Room
This is where I do all my sewing. Its a nice bright room and has everything you could need to have a tranquil day of sewing.
Our View
Occasionally distracting and always amazing, no matter the time of year.
Mirrie Dancers
Living in a rural setting is perfect if you like to catch the Mirrie Dancers (the way Shetlanders' refer to Northern Lights).
Discover the Magic of Shetland in Every Stitch with Uphouse Crafts
Who am I?
Hi, I’m Andrea. I first started sewing to make clothes for my son, and my hobby turned into a full-time job when I started Uphouse Crafts in 2019.
When Jack was a toddler, I began making him
- pyjamas
- hoodies
- jackets
- outdoor bib-n-brace trousers
- hats
The more I made for him, the more I learned and became hooked on sewing. It gave me a sense of
purpose at a time when I wasn’t sure who I was other than ‘Mum’.
In 2019, I decided to start Uphouse Crafts so I could work from home. Earlier that year, Jack had been diagnosed as autistic, and my husband and I adjusted our lives to fully support our son.
Where do I live?
I have lived in Shetland all my life, except for four years when I was at university in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. To me, Shetland is family and home. It is also a unique place where the accent is distinctive, the way of life is more relaxed, and the landscape is stunning. Have you been to Shetland? You really should visit at least once.
What do I make?
Shetland influences my choice of fabrics as I love to showcase all the things that make our beautiful island unique. My work features puffins, seals, whales, and nautical themes, but I also have cheerful, colourful prints. I offer a range of purses, wallets, and bags made with machine-knit Fair Isle. I also make hand-knit Shetland Fair Isle purses.
In 2024, I rediscovered a love of drawing. I’ve now introduced a range of hand-drawn puffins, Shetland landscapes and boats. My family background in fishing has influenced my love of drawing fishing boats of all
shapes and sizes.
You can find out what our customers think here.
How can we work together?
Unfortunately I no longer offer sewing lessons due to other commitments. Shetland Stitch Club does sewing lessons, so please check out their classes.
Custom Made Items
Over the last few years, I’ve made a quite a lot of custom items. Check out the pictures below.
Unfortunately this isn’t a service I offer at the moment.
To buy any of the things I make check out all the categories available .
A few custom makes from the past 5 years
Rainbow Mermaid Boxers
A fathers day gift in 2019. The kids chose the fabric for their Dad's custom made boxers.
Jade's Bandana
Jade the labrador now has a range of Uphouse Crafts custom bandanas. She's a well dressed doggie.
Wearable Hot Water Bottle Cover
This is the original - ordered by a cold water swimmer to help her get warm after a cold Shetland swim.
Recovered mini trampoline
This is Jack's trampoline, the first one I recovered. I have done another two for our local school nursery department. They use old jeans from our local charity shop in Aith.
