Thread and Press CIC
A Community Interest Company
About Us
We are Sarah Rands and Holly Davis and we established Thread and Press in 2020. As two experienced and qualified teachers, we have years of experience working in schools, colleges and within the fashion and textile industries. We decided to make the leap from mainstream education and set up our own art school, specialising in bringing creative skills to learners of all ages. We are passionate about creativity and have set up community art classes in our localities, as well as running creative workshops with schools and community groups. We are qualified and experienced to work with all age groups and with learners of varying needs. We have up-to-date Enhanced DBS certificates.
In October 2020, we changed our organisation to a Community Interest Company, Thread and Press CIC. We firmly believe in providing greater access to creative opportunities within communities. By reinvesting profits back into the business, we can expand our creative offer and work on further community arts projects which will allow for a wider creative participation in the arts.
Sarah Rands
From a young age I knew I wanted to work in the arts. I loved to sew and create, getting my first
sewing machine at 10 years old and enjoying making clothes for my toys. I studied Fashion and Clothing at Derby University, after which I moved to London to work in the fashion industry. I worked in industry for over ten years, mostly working for high street clothing companies such as River Island, Warehouse and Topshop. I later moved to Hull and have now been working as a Fashion Teacher for 14 years, teaching Fashion, Textiles and Art to learners of varying ages, including A level and BA students. I love teaching and helping to nurture new talent and the amazing designs they create.
I have taught both my daughters and son to sew, print and create expressive art work. I want to
bring the creative arts to people of all ages and I look forward to seeing your amazing designs.
Holly Davis
I am an artist, designer and teacher with many years of experience working in schools, colleges and within the fashion and textile industries. I have a BA Hons in International Textile Design and Surface Pattern from Cleveland College of Art and Design. I spent time working as a clothing/print designer before setting up as a designer/maker and creating my own range of handmade handbags for Holly and Ruby. I also qualified as a teacher approximately 10 years ago and have been teaching at schools and colleges since. I now focus my personal creative projects on embroidered and hand painted artwork, taking inspiration from the natural world. I am currently working on a collection of 3D embroidered animal heads that challenge our understanding of how embroidery can be applied. I am also a mural artist with experience of working on small and larger scale mural projects within the community and for private clients.
As a teacher I have worked in schools and sixth form colleges teaching multiple art disciplines to various ages. I have worked on a variety of projects involving Textiles, Fine Art, Fashion and Graphic Design. I have a broad range of skills and excellent subject knowledge.
I have two young children who love to be creative and I thoroughly enjoy working on creative projects with both adults and children. I am passionate about the arts and how they can improve our well-being.
Links to my personal work can be found here
