About

A photo taken from a sandy beach looking across the sea to the dark, gently rolling hills of the island of Hoy on Orkney. The sky is a vibrant blue with large, fluffy white clouds hanging above the islands.

A photo of Sara's workspace, a table with two sewing machines. There are shelves above that hold several items like flowers, a candle, a framed image of Sara, and a pot full of tools and scissors. There is a measuring tape hanging at the side.

Born and raised an Orcadian, brought up in Kirkwall, I have enjoyed a varied career since graduating (many years ago!) from Napier in Edinburgh. For years, I’ve been designing and creating sewing, knitting and art projects. Taught by my mum from bout the age of five as I sat beside her and her sewing machine when she was making amazing toys to raffle for many the charities she supported. She encouraged me to pay attention to detail but also to be as patient as she was. elements that I have stuck to in all my years of creating and now I’ve taken the plunge and launched Sara Tait Designs. Every item is unique, crafted to the highest possible standards from top quality fabric or, occasionally, upcycled materials - every piece is a one off. Creating and finessing patterns takes time but it’s what I love to do. I have so many ideas for new projects but patience is required not to try everything at once.

This is Lola, my first beautiful, lively, clever granddaughter who is the inspiration behind Lola's Folk. Since the day she was born, I've been sewing, knitting and crocheting things for her starting with one of my rag dolls and a hand-knitted baby shawl and blanket. As she gets older, the list of gifts keeps growing. She now has a new baby sister, Effie and a new peedie* cousins, Finn and Edie so I have lots of making to do now!

*the Orcadian word for little.

An old black and white image of Mona, Sara's mum. She is young and beautiful, and is looking to the side with a faint smile. Her hair is swept back into curls behind her head, and she wears a pearl necklace and a lace jumper.

This is a young Mona, my beloved mum who left us in 2016. She started teaching me to sew and knit when I was five years old and I've never stopped making things ever since. Mum was so skilled at knitting, tapestry, embroidery (including pulled thread work) and toy making. I’m so grateful to her for sharing the vast knowledge she had (as well as some of her infinite patience) and sewing makes me feel close to her even though she's not here.