I Made That Campaign – The haberdashery Blog.

children's sewing bee, I Made That Campaign, sewing studio, Uncategorized, Workshop and classes

A Whirlwind of a Week…..warning lots of pics!

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Wow wow wow……What a week it’s been.

Let me take you back to Saturday where the sewing bee was in full swing. We had so many finished projects from wall hangers to clouds and owls and even patchwork pj bags….

On Monday its was the start of the two day summer school for my older girls. These girls range from 11-14yrs old. After sewing with me for a number of months now I thought it was time to introduce them to the world of quilting…..big task I know.

My girls have learnt how to use a rotary cutter, mat and rulers. They have learnt piecing, basting, quilting and binding and have all made a lap quilt. I’m amazed and so proud of all of them, it’s been a fabulous couple of days…..here is how the got on.

Wednesday I decided to recoup a little and start crocheting the squares together that have been donated for our yarn bombing campaign. I thought I’d better try out the first of the tree blankets for a dress rehearsal…….

looks pretty good doesn’t it?

Thursday was another amazing day as mum and me travelled to Birmingham NEC for this years International Quilting Festival. We go every year as a treat to have some girly time and it did not disappoint.

Seeing quilts and art quilts from all over the world and we even had a workshop with the super talented Deborah o Hare and Sally Holman. Here are some of our favourite bits…

Today (Friday) I’m in the shop but recovering ready for tomorrow’s Sewing Bee 🙂

It’s been an absolute fantastic week!

Ami x

Fabric, I Made That Campaign, in the haberdashery, Uncategorized, Workshop and classes

Posted on April 30, 2016April 29, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Its been another great week here in the Haberdashery & Sewing Studio. So let’s crack on with this weeks gossip.

Monday…..well what can I say. We had a meeting with Stof Fabrics. The company rep turned up with hundreds and hundreds of samples of their range. Absolutely gorgeous designs and the quality of the cottons are outstanding.

I’m happy to say we are now officially Stof stockists and our first delivery is arriving mid May…..So excited.

Carrying on with the fabric theme. I actually managed to get time to play with some of our fabrics from Dear Stella.I warn you now this concept is cute, unique and extremely addictive.

Wee Garden – Dear Stella Fabrics.

So the idea is, you have both fabrics. One comes full of outfits, shoes, hats, glasses….everything you could think of. The second is printed with the garden scene filled with adorable animals that need dressing up. So you pick your outfits, cut them out and dress your animals. Whether it by hand stitch, machine appliqué, free motion or simply glue.

These fabrics are available on our website (our new look website). …..

Next topic of conversation is the beautiful on 100% cotton from Stylecraft and patterns.

We have this is six different colours…amazing quality.

The Sewing Studio has been busy again this week…..

The lampshade workshop was first up on Monday evening –

Followed by the new workshop – Thread painting on Thursday evening.

All of our workshops and courses are available to book online….Click here for further info

Its time for our ‘I made the’ Campaign.

This week I want to introduce you to a very talented lady ….Helen. I’ve known Helen from opening the Haberdashery (so 2 1/2yrs). In that time I’ve seen many of Helen’s creations. However like many of us life sometimes gets in the way and sewing is put on the back burner. But I’m chuffed to bits now…Helen has found her love for sewing again recently and now say I’m seeing her beautiful and stunning creations again 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you do next Helen…..Get sewing 🙂

So that’s been our week in a nut shell. We are closed on Bank holiday Monday next week so I’ll see you on Tuesday.

I want to thank everyone that take time out to read our blog posts. And to everyone that follows us on FaceBook, Twitter or Instagram. Social media can be a mind field so seeing all of you is very reassuring…. Thank you.

Have a fab weekend.

Ami

xxxx

children's sewing bee, Crochet, Customers, I Made That Campaign, Workshop and classes

A Very Creative Week :)

Posted on April 2, 2016April 2, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Its been a short week but still packed full of fun and creations.

I had an extra long weekend to spend with the family and my little man and also gave me some crochet time 🙂

And first day back and straight back to creativity when a lovely customer came in with a gorgeous elephant that she had made. Now the picture does not show how big he is…… 400g of Stylecraft Super Chunky Special XL.

How cute is he…..Sadly he’s going off to his new home now 😦

Later this week we also had some fab lampshades made in Sewing Studio which are also off to new homes. As always everyone with a completed project and very proud of themselves…….rightly so.

Come and join us on our next Lampshade Workshop and pick the fabrics you want from our Fabric Snug.

I’ve also had a present from one of my customers (yes this proves I have the best job in the world). Look what I’ve got 🙂

Kim has been featured on our blog recently in our ‘ I made that’ campaign.

Staying on that subject …..

‘I Made That’ Campaign

This weeks nomination is one amazing lady who some of you will probably know from visiting the Haberdashery….My Mum.

My Mum is absolutely insane about chickens so when she said she was thinking of making a chicken doorstop I wasn’t sure what to think.

So what I have I been up to……

I have started to make the memory canvasses for the shop and sewing studio. I’ve managed one but still have about three more to make so far. These are photo’s of whats been made in our workshops and sewing bee and its a great reminder of what people have achieved here.

I’ve also been planning April’s Sewing bee plans….

So for our younger groups we are starting using the sewing machines and making pin cushions, drawstring bags, rag dolls.

For our older ones we will focus on accessories including hand bands, bows, brooches, key rings and starting hand embroidery.

Cant Wait!!!!!

Anyway thanks for joining us again on our weekly trip down memory lane.

Thank you following, reading & supporting us. Keeping sharing us and you can follow us on

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/simplyneedlecraft

Twitter – @sneedlecraft

Would be great to see you there.

Have a great weekend…See you next week x

Ami

WELL HELLO EVERYONE……..

This week has just flown by………Probably because I’m getting older ( I celebrated my 35th birthday on Sunday )

This week has been super busy as always. So lets take a look back on this weeks fun.

In no particular order –

Lets start with our Sue….

Progress report on the crochet workshops

The ladies our continuing with the crocheted jumpers and making good progress….. even though all we can hear is laughing 🙂 I have it on good authority that they will be modelling their makes once finished and will take part in a photo shoot (me with a camera).

Sue has also been a busy bee preparing projects for the children in our sewing bee……and look 🙂

Our little sewers (8-12yrs) have also been busy in the Sewing bee. Designing and making these gorgeous little needle cases.

I'm so proud of them — I’m so proud of them

On our adults quilting course this week we have concentrated on piecing our blocks together using chain piecing, basting and even a little bit of quilting was started…..everyone is making great progress.

Sticking with the Sewing Studio whilst we are on the subject….

Our new machines arrived. Four of the fantastic Singer Ones have now entered the room. Great machines. I have been putting one through its paces over the last month and also been tried on some of our adult classes to make sure they are user-friendly and up to the job…..I pleased to say they passed our rigorous tests with flying colours.

Anyone wanting to have a look at the workshops available, dates, times and booking just pop over to our website…. have a nosey

And finally

I made that – Campaign.

Meet our very loyal and long time customer Caroline. Caroline hasn’t been sewing that long really but you wouldn’t guess by the quality and originality of her makes. Caroline suffers (like many of us) with having the confidence to admit that she does a fantastic job. Below pics our Carolines latest makes using an old handbag and shopping tote. I absolutely love them…..Cant wait to see what see up to next week…..Keep them coming Caroline x

So that’s it for another week.

I’d like to thank everyone that supports us both in-store and online, Facebook, twitter and Instagram.

Have a fab weekend and I’ll see you Monday morning.

Ami

xxxxx

A week in the life of a Haberdashery

Fabric, I Made That Campaign, in the haberdashery, New Stock, Workshop and classes

I’m Ready to Relax…..:)

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Ami

Good Afternoon all…..

Its been none stop this week with days out, loads of new stock and workshops. So here we go …..this is what we’ve been up to!

Monday starts early as Mum & Me make our way to the fabulous stitch international show at Birmingham’s NEC.

We had a great time meeting suppliers old and new, trying out new products and meeting other haberdasheries from all over the country.

Tuesday was fun after my feet had stopped throbbing from the NEC. In our attempt at keeping up with the modern world ……..our video went live on youTube …..

I love it……what do you think?

Wednesday has to be the best day of this week. Finally after 3 months our delivery of Timeless Treasures and Dear Stella fabrics arrived from America. After such a long time between ordering and delivery I had forgotten most of the designs that I had ordered. When I opened the box I wasn’t disappointed.

To see the full range have a look at the fabric section on our website here

Thursday… The deliveries from the NEC started to arrive. Gorgeous new bias, trims and lace.

And as the haberdashery closed for the day the Sewing Studio opened. This time for our monthly instalment of Block of the Month.

This months block was the disappearing nine patch using bold contrasting colours. Everyone made a fantastic job of their quilting blocks.

Friday our new lampshades kits arrived which is great but we are running out of space very quickly…….. I need a bigger shop 🙂

Available in 2 sizes and our available on the website – here

‘ I Made That ‘ Campaign

It’s now time for this weeks ‘ I made that’ campaign.

I would like to introduce you to a customer of mine, Rebecca Andrews. Rebecca set up her company called Becks Bandanas where she has designed cute, fun and quirky dribble bibs and also specialises in older children and adults with special needs.

You can see all of her work and you can also order on her Facebook page – Becksbandanas

So that’s it for another week – But watch out on Tuesday for some special offers because it will be our 2nd anniversary here in our bricks and mortar shop.

Now it’s time to relax and I’ll see you next week.

Ami

City & Guilds, I Made That Campaign, in the haberdashery, New Stock

A very talented lady ( this weeks ‘ I Made That Campaign’)

Posted on February 20, 2016February 20, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone

What a cold and miserable week its been however it has been half term so I guess I should have expected it.

But its been warm and cheery in the haberdashery with new stock, new makes and a new machine to try.

First on the agenda though this week …….

I Made That Campaign.

I would like to introduce you to an extremely talented lady from Derby.

Louise West …..

Louise started Bobbin Lacemaking in 1992 and through numerous courses progressed quickly, gaining extensive experience in traditional English Bobbin laces. She then studied City and Guilds courses, in both traditional and contemporary design. Then continued with a BA (Hons) in Textile Design.

Louise states – While lace is the main focus of my working practice, it has taken on many formats and continues to inspire and develop in many ways, some of which are unexpected. The jewellery design is a much more permanent and lasting vision of the historical textile, recounting memories and forms contemporary wearable art of the future.

I don’t know about you but I find Louise’s work absolutely exquisite. Clearly I’m not the only one to think this as Louise regularly exhibits her work, gives talks and runs workshops…..thats right ladies, you can have a go yourself (which I intend on doing).

Have a look at Louise’s Website

But (I’ve not quite finished yet) Louise is so talented that she’s been nominated to an award ……Craft & Design selected award. To have a look at more fabulous lace detail in contemporary and modern design please take a look at this Craft & Design.

And please vote for our local lady.

New Stock

Ok something for all of fabric addicts.

New cottons in this week……are you ready?

Next week my Dad will be covering the shop on Monday as me and Mum make our annual trip over the Birmingham NEC for the trade fair.

I’ll be testing out the Singer One machine even more so keep your eyes peeled.

I hope you all have had a fantastic half term even though the weathers not been great. Have a lovely weekend and I will see you on Tuesday.

Ami

xxxx

behind the scenes, City & Guilds, Crochet, Fabric, I Made That Campaign, in the haberdashery, New Stock, Workshop and classes

New Workshops, New Fabrics & ……Lego Bricks

Posted on February 13, 2016February 13, 2016 by Ami

Hi Everyone,

Its blog time again 🙂

Loads to blog about this week so let’s get started!

Its been a busy time in our Sewing Studio over the last past week. The Beginners Crochet Class was back as well as the Mother & Daughter Workshop…..this time making an envelope cushion. The Textile Art workshop also made a return this month, making gorgeous lace bowls 🙂

APRIL WORKSHOPS

I’ve finally had chance to sit down with my diary and plan the workshops for April. There’s some workshops repeated but some fab new ones added…….Knickers, rag rugging and thread painting are just a few. These are booking up quickly so don’t miss out – More details here

I Made That – Campaign

Our campaign has been up and running for a few weeks now and its been a massive success.

This week my star of the week has to be Kim.

Let me tell you a bit about Kim. Kim has been one of our regular customers since she started knitting not so long ago ( since July 2015). Its amazing what she’s achieved in such a short space of time. She works extremely hard and knitting has become part of relaxation time.

My favourite has to be the Lego brick….. however the scarf comes a close 2nd.

The thing that stands out to me about Kim’s makes has to be the use of colours. It’s extremely difficult the use different colours/shades together in one make successfully.

Kim has now decided to give crochet a whirl and took advantage of our crochet workshops……I’m pretty sure I’ll have some of Kim’s crocheted makes very soon.

If you would like your makes to appear on our blog for this campaign then please pop me an email to Email me

NEW STOCK

Yes we’ve had more new stock in this week……..Fabric.

A mixture of 100% cottons & poly cottons – all available in-store and through our online shop – online here

This week I’ve been busy with a mix of course work and crochet. I’m finding my course work fascinating and so enjoyable BUT I have to have a break every now then…….keeps the creativity following …:)

So I’ve been having another go at crochet….

Its been an amazing week….. Thank you all for your continuing support. Have a look at our new website and tell us what you think.

Have a fantastic weekend and I’ll see you next week.

Ami x

behind the scenes, Fabric, I Made That Campaign, in the haberdashery, in the hoop, New Stock, News, Workshop and classes

New Fabric, New Yarn & New Website.

Posted on February 6, 2016February 6, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Its been a hectic week of unpacking new stock, working on the website and fitting in time for a bit of quilting.

So let’s have a run down of the week –

The new website launched with a Click & Collect service which has taken off well. All of our new stock in the future will be loaded straight onto our site for you to reserve and its also available to customers needing postage.

Click & Collect Service

Stylecraft entered the building and wow its been selling quick….

A delivery from Fabric Freedom arrived too this week with gorgeous cottons from their new camping range.

I managed to fit in a little bit f quilting time…..

And this week we carry on with our “I Made That” Campaign with Bows, Bows & Bows.

Let me introduce you to Samantha, she is one of regular customers and owns her own company called Bows, Bows & Bows

beautiful bows for adults and children.

As quite a new business her Facebook page has loads of followers but as always we could do with even more likes so pop over to Bows, bows & Bows and take a look.

Bows, Bows & Bows Facebook Page

One last thing…….I’ve had two spaces become available on the Sewing Bee…..please contact me if your interested.

And we will see you next week…….hopefully better weather.

Thank you for all your support and lovely comments about the new website.

Ami, David, Sylvia & Glyn.

Crochet, Customers, I Made That Campaign, News, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Where Has January Gone ?????

Posted on January 30, 2016January 30, 2016 by Ami

Is it me or has January just disappeared within a blink of an eye either that or its true that time flies when you get old 🙂

But this has been another fun packed week, starting with our first Textile Art Workshop of the year. This class was all about reverse applique. Everyone did an amazing job.

My class looking very pleased with themselves and rightly so.

We have spaces left on the following workshops –

Rag Rug Cushion Workshop 11th Feb Details here

Beginners Crochet 6th Feb Details here

Free Motion Embroidery 10th March Details here

Its time for our first ‘I made that’ campaign.

This is our new campaign where we our asking you and all of our customers/followers to email me a picture of your makes. This is because I know I have very talented customers and I don’t get to see all of your lovely makes. This is mainly down to some of you not living locally.

However local or not I’d love to see your makes as it’s the best part of my job. I will be featuring one person per blog post and advertise your talents, business and inspirations. Please email me – ami@simplyneedlecraft.com

This week is our Sue – This lady would without a doubt the biggest yarn addict I know but thankfully she puts it all to good use.