Maria Pulley

After graduating in 3D design from Kingston University in 1978, Maria I worked in London as a graphic designer until 1986 when she moved to Cambridge and set up a business designing and making dresses. In 1998, after gaining a PGCE, she taught textiles and art at a secondary school in Cornwall. In 2001 Maria was appointed as course leader in fashion at Chichester College. Currently she has a workshop at Clothkits in Chichester where time is shared between her 'made to measure' business and teaching pattern cutting and dressmaking to adults.

What inspires your own work?
I have exhibited work every year since 2008 at venues such as the Oxmarket centre of arts, West Dean Gallery and more recently the Chichester art trail, drawing on my knowledge of fashion, textiles, 3D design graphics and illustration for inspiration, as well as the creativity of my students.

Describe your approach to teaching:
My teaching style is hands on, backed up sound subject knowledge and excellent resources. With pattern cutting in particular, which can be very technical, it's important to have this back up. But I hope that my boundless enthusiasm for the subject is just a little contagious and helps to allay any fears that students may have.