Smith, Alison: - Alison Smith is a sewing expert and tutor. Her sewing school, the Alison Victoria School of Sewing, is the largest independent sewing school in England, and offers courses and workshops on all aspects of sewing. Alison regularly speaks at specialist sewing shows and has had projects and articles published in a variety of UK magazines. She is a regular contributor to Sewing World magazine, and appeared on the ITV television series Ladette to Lady teaching dressmaking skills. In 2013 Alison was awarded an MBE for services to sewing and corsetry.