children’s sewing bee – Page 2 – The haberdashery Blog.

children's sewing bee, Fabric, New Stock, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Colourful, creative and New Stock!!!!!

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Its been a couple of weeks since my last blog post. It’s been manic here with lots going on and new stock arriving.

We’ve had a top up of Stylecraft Wondersoft and more colour ways added to the collection…..

We’ve also had the new Stylecraft Candy Swirl but we’ve only had the liquorice colour way in with more to follow very soon…..

Now for fabrics…… we’ve increased the plain selection but also had more bolts of Christmas fabrics in from Robert Kaufman…..

Now for the time for everyone’s favourite part….. The Sewing Bee.

All groups have been very busy.

Monday group have working on their own pillow pals….

My little ladies on a Tuesday have been busy working on brooches and patchwork pj cases….

Saturdays are always busy as I have three groups and our Sue has the crochet group…..

My Saturday groups have been working on owls, bunting, dress making and patchwork….

and last but not least – my new window display.

I’ve got a fantastic new summer window display but I cannot take credit for it. A big thank you to my friends Rachel, Lynette, Darren and my mum. Also a big thank you to my stitchers Mia, Molly and Hollie who took time out of their day to help and design the display …..

Thank you for reading and supporting me, means the world to me.

Ami

xxx

Ami James - Textile Artist, behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, Christmas, Fabric, in the haberdashery, New Stock, sewing studio, textile art, Workshop and classes, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

A Mixture Of Everything! Warning Lots Of Pictures

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

This blog post is a mixture of new stock, events and the Sewing Bee, so let’s get started.

Ok so you may remember we were at Sainsbury’s recently as a part of their Street Store event.

Braced with needles, threads and plenty of Suffolk puffs me and my loyal team headed to Sainsbury’s to get young people into sewing and embellishing clothes.

We had a wonderful time and even recruited a new young man into our Sewing Bee…..

Running on the same weekend it was Derbyshire Open Arts where the shop was turned into a gallery ….

Our monthly Craft & Chat Night took place last week and again filled with a lovely bunch of crafters. They run on the first Thursday of every month 6.00-8.30pm and costs £5 which includes cakes, tea and coffee. If you would like to join us just pop along.

On Monday this week our Sewing Bee group finished their cushions and our newest member joined us…….

The Tuesday group our getting to grips with patchwork which is great for practicing sewing straight lines……

Now time for new stock and I have to confess we have started to have our Christmas fabrics in, plus new patterns and trimmings…..

Don’t forget I also run workshops in various different techniques and you can find them all on the website. Please note there is only one more beginners quilting pencilled in at the moment until Autumn as I’m snowed under with other commitments….

Please see my workshops here

You can also see what I’m up to regards my other commitments by visiting my site http://www.amijamestextileart.com

where you can view my blog, exhibitions and work.

Thank you reading and keeping up to date with all of our news.

Ami

xxx

Ami James - Textile Artist, behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, textile art

It’s All About Events

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Wow what weather …….. Perfect weather for events this weekend.

You can catch us at Sainsbury’s this Saturday morning working with Hubbub to get little stitchers sewing and adding embellishments to clothes…..find details here

It’s also Derbyshire Open Arts this weekend. This year is my first year of taking part of this festival which covers Derbyshire. The festival starts on Saturday and runs until the 4th June.

I will be here on Sunday and Monday to talk to visitors. I’ll be showing you my inspiration, techniques and methods.

We are also open as usual on Saturday where you can view my work.

Hours are….

Saturday – 9-4pm

Sunday – 10-3pm

Monday – 10 – 3pm

There is also a craft market running on the Saturday hosted by Curly Magpie & Friends.

Ok so events that have already taken place over the last week or so……

we had the lovely Maria Dent, Felt Artist with us to run a full day workshop in Landscape Felting.

We had an amazing turn out with lots of beautiful results. We will be talking to Maria very soon to arrange more dates…..

On Saturday we had our long waited Young Quilters Event.

We invited children between 6-18yrs to join us in the Sewing Studio to take part in this great event which allowed them to get free membership to the Quilters Guild. Again we had an amazing turnout. We shall be adding more dates to the Guilds list very soon….

As you can see we’ve been so busy and I apologise for the lack of blog entries.

Thank you for your support. I couldn’t have be able to do this without you.

Hope to see you over the weekend.

Ami

xxx

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, sewing studio, textile art, Uncategorized, Workshop and classes

Busy, Busy, Busy

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

What miserable weather, so I thought I would cheer you up with a blog post.

Lots to update you with again, so let’s start with the Sewing Bee.

I have a few classes in the middle of projects but we have finished coin purses from my youngest group……. zips included

My two groups have finished their entries for this years International Festival of Quilts. They have worked so hard and we are extremely proud of them…..

Videos of these fantastic entries are on my fb page http://Www.facebook.com/simplyneedlecraft

Don’t forget we have the Young Quilters event here on the 20th May

full details on http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/young-quilters.html

We are also teaching at Sainsbury’s in Swadlincote on the 27th May, and you can find details here https://billetto.co.uk/en/e/free-kids-sewing-workshop-tickets-194255

Our monthly evening of Craft & Chat took place this week and as usual a lovely bunch of people. We meet monthly to craft, drink tea, eat cake and a good old gossip. The first Thursday of every month, so if your interested in joining us please come along….

The very popular free motion class took place this week. I love this workshop…..

New workshops have now been setup for June and July. Please visit my website for all courses including quilting, Lace making, textile arts, free motion and hand embroidery http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/workshopsclasses.html

This last few weeks I’ve been really busy with my own work.

A few new pieces ready for Derbyshire Open Arts……

Its now time for me to separate my textile art away from Simply Needlecraft so you can now follow me on …..I’d love to see you there.

http://Www.amijamestextile.com

http://Www.facebook.com/amijamestextiles

Thanks for reading and supporting me.

Ami

xxxx

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, City & Guilds, in the haberdashery, New Stock, sewing studio, textile art, Workshop and classes

Happy Easter Everyone – A Quick Catch-up Post x

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

A day off and it’s grey weather……. typical 😂

Anyway it gives me a spare five minutes to blog 😊

So let’s start off with my opening hours over Easter.

I’m closed today (Good Friday), open normal hours on Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday and then normal hours resume on Tuesday.

All the Sewing groups are mid way through projects at the moment so I haven’t got many pics to show you.

Monday group – Hanging hearts

Tuesday – Rag dolls

Wednesday – Selfies

Saturday – Quilts are still progressing.

All groups are working extremely hard 😊

I have a couple of places on the Sewing Bee for children 8-12 yrs. Please contact me for further details.

You can now view the details for the Young Quilters Workshop in May.

Here on the Quilters Guild Website

We’ve had lots of quilting going on in the Sewing Studio.

The April beginners course kicked off……. fantastic fabric choices, giggles and cups of tea……

And the follow on course to make a table runner was definitely a fun packed class……

It was time for our Craft & Chat night. This monthly meet up takes place on the first Thursday of every month – 6pm – 8.30pm and cost £5 towards refreshments……..a lovely group of people and a great atmosphere, take a look…..

A few new bits and bobs have arrived in the Haberdashery as well as a restock of the favourites. New in ……

I’ve been extremely busy, working away on coursework the last couple of weeks…… handmade paper and stitchery…….

I’ve also finished off my collection of Fairies (still need naming though)…..

The Egyptian wall hanging has been finished ……

And I’ve tried something a little different for me…….

You can keep up to date with all my makes by visiting

My own Facebook page

http://www.amijamestextileart.com/

I hope you have a fantastic Easter break…..hopefully the weather will improve.

Thanks for reading 😊

Ami

xxx

Ami James - Textile Artist, Butterick patterns, children's sewing bee, Fabric, New Stock, News, Workshop and classes

New Quilts, New Fabrics and New Workshops!

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Its been a busy time here with lots cracking off and some exciting dates.

Lets crack on with Sewing Bee….

Monday group having been stitching lovely wall hangings….

My new little stitchers on a Tuesday have been making needle cases, an essential for any sewer….

The Wednesday group have been working hard over the last three weeks and produced Lolly the Owl and they are very proud of themselves and so they should be….

One of my groups on Saturdays have finished off their selfies…..

And the hard work continues on the quilt entries…..

I have spaces available on the sewing bee due to a reshuffle.

Saturday 11.30am- 12.30pm for 8-12yrs

Wednesday 4-5pm 8-12yrs

please contact if you are interested and need more details.

The quilting course for beginners came to an end this week. Amazing results and gorgeous quilts. It’s been an absolute pleasure having these ladies join me in the sewing studio…..

And carrying on the quilting theme…..

The date for the Patchwork Guild/ Young Quilters Workshop has changed due to double booking ……ooooops

The venue is still the same but is now on Saturday 20th May.

A new workshop has been added to the list. The talented Lace Make, Rachel Patrick will be joining us in June to offer to Course in Lace Making. All details and booking info are now on the website http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com

The Butterick sale has now started and all patterns are half price until 24th April, along with a brand new catalogue….

New Fabric has arrived this week, with many bolts still due to arrive shortly…..

Mum has been a busy bee too. She’s been quilting this lovely cot quilt which has been now sold and has a new home…..

I’ve also been quilting and have finished my kaleidoscope quilt….

All that’s the run down of what’s been happening.

lots still to come on my next blog post.

Have a lovely weekend and I’ll catch up with you next week.

Ami

xxx

children's sewing bee, Customers, Fabric, in the haberdashery, New Stock, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Omg ………So Much To Show You (warning loads of pics)

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Ami

Ok …….where to start!

Firstly, all the children that take part in our Sewing Bee have all been set a task after Christmas. It involved a block of quilting with their hand print bonded and stitched by hand or machine. They then added their initials…… well it’s now finished and it’s so amazing and I’m extremely proud……

Carrying on with the quilting theme…..my younger group of entrants to the Festival of Quilts have busy preparing……

Whilst my older entrants have also been preparing and dying…..

My Monday and second group on a Saturday have been busy learning to attach zips and making wonderful pencil cases…..

My little tiny stitchers on a Tuesday have been practicing straight lines by making tote bags, fully lined and looking fab…..

My Wednesday group are focusing on making Lolly the Owl……

And in between that I have another group creating their selfies……

Now for a date for your diary…….

Our first ever event of the Young Quilters Guild.

Saturday – 13th May

9.30am – 12pm – For children aged between 5 – 10 years old
1pm – 3.30pm – For children aged 11 – 18 years old.

£6 for non members – £4 for guild members.

The workshops will be held in the Sewing Studio at Simply Needlecraft, 64-66 High Street, Swadlincote.
Children will participate in sewing projects including hand puppets, pencil cases and felt cupcakes.

Please let us know if you are planning to attend so we can be well prepared.
Children under 8yrs will need to be accompanied by an adult.

For full details please …..

Visit our event page

The second quilting course of the year kicked off this week. Four lovely ladies joined me in the Sewing Studio to get creative and learn about patchwork and quilting ……

My Dad has also learned a new skill ….. Crochet. He promised to make a hat and look………well done Dad……

I also need to share this with you.

A very loyal customer who has become a great friend over the years has made this……… omg I was gobsmacked……Amazing.

We’ve had a few new bits and bobs in ……

Phew…… I think I’ve covered everything.

Thank you so much for reading and your continued support, it really is appreciated.

Have a good weekend

Ami

xxx

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, News, sewing studio, textile art, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

Creative Record Breaking …….

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Its been a record breaking week for the sewing studio. 30 little stitchers (plus 12 more this Saturday) and 14 adults have been to learn new skills.

The stitchers entering the Quilting Festival this year have started to make up their designs that need to be in the theme of ‘free’.

First the younger group are focusing on hot air balloons……

Whilst my older group have picked animals and seasons….

My second group had chance to finish off the scrappy book covers they’ve been working on….

Later on Saturday we had the mother and daughter workshop. The challenge was complete a stitch test and make a cushion in pairs.

Each pair did a fab job and left with new skills and a new cushion….

On Wednesday evening the Sewing Studio opened up for the Textile Art Workshop. Four ladies joined me to learn about free motion and raw edge appliqué to make and design an art canvas….

Please visit the website to see all available dates and bookings.

Its been our anniversary to this week. It’s been three years since we opened our bricks and mortar shop in Swadlincote….

A huge thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way. It’s overwhelming how things have turned out.

Heres to the next three years x

see you soon

Ami

xxx

Ami James - Textile Artist, behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, Crochet, in the haberdashery, textile art, Workshop and classes

A Quick Catch Up ……..

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Welcome to this weeks blog post from a windy Derbyshire.

It’s been a lovely week here planning, organising and workshops.

we start this week with the crochet workshop with our Sue. At the moment it’s all about the socks and virus shawls….

This week in the Sewing Bee…… finished selfies, zips and an important job of designing the quilts for the quilting festival in August.

We had fun on Monday evening….. the free motion for beginners workshop.

We started off with wobbly lines and pointy curves but by the end of a fab evening …….look what happened 🙂

I’ve been putting my machine to good use this week. Textile collage art that are getting ready for exhibitions…..

All the new dates for April and May workshops are now online along with a new gallery and exhibitions…

That’s it another week, another blog post.

thank you again for your support, it’s proving to be quite a year for us…..stay tuned.

Ami

xxx

children's sewing bee, in the haberdashery, sewing studio, textile art, Workshop and classes

More Workshops On The Way……

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Ami

Hi everyone,

The workshops have continued to be a huge success again this year with so many of you wanting to learn a new skill. With many workshops being fully booked I’m sitting down on Monday to plan more dates for April, May and June. You can subscribe to my mailing list on the website http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com to be first to see the dates.

We’ve had a few workshops over the last week…..

first up was the Hand embroidery workshop –

Then my ladies finished their quilts on the quilting course. They have cut, pieced, basted, quilted and binded a lap quilt…….

Then on to the lace bowls workshop where the ladies used dissolvable fabrics with sheers and stitching. I can’t show you the finished products yet as they went home to set, however I can show the process…..