Simply needlecraft – Page 3 – The haberdashery Blog.

children's sewing bee, Christmas, City & Guilds, Fabric, New Stock, Six Penny Memories, textile art, Workshop and classes, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

Oooops Forgot To Blog…..Lots Going On x

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

I apologise for the lack of blogging. Lots going on here so I have plenty to tell you and lots of pics.

Ok let’s start with my little stitchers. They have been busy bees creating festive decorations, Christmas gifts and learning new skills.

Lets start with the decorations

Then on to the gifts…..

My older group have been mastering the skill of free motion embroidery. They are part way through a Christmas gift project but I’ll show you what they have been up to…..

We’ve also had a birthday party here in the sewing studio. It’s was a tote bag themed party…..

They are so talented that I decided to hold an awards evening for them all but with a twist.

Most of them were aware they were coming…..but I had a secret that only me and their mums knew.

We had a guest, the lovely Jade Earley from this years The Great British Sewing Bee. Jade was live via link to all the children, she has signed all the certificates personally and if that wasn’t enough, jade had made them all gifts to say well done. We had an amazing evening of certificates, food and fireworks.

A huge thank you to Jade x

The adults were busy too last week when their challenge was to make a Christmas appliqué cushion. Four lovely ladies joined me in the sewing studio for tea, biscuits and lots of sewing…

It was time for the yarn bombing to start too….told you we’ve been busy. I would like to thank everyone who donated their time and skills on this project. The town looks fab…..

Mum’s also been busy decorating the window for me as our Sue just stood there looking like a turkey 🙂

We’ve had some lovely new fabrics in from Kaufman and Dashwoods….

In between all of that I have managed somehow to fit in some sewing…

Victorian style Christmas tree decorations

Now I know many of you have heard….I’ve tried to tell as many as possible. We are moving in the year and sooner than I thought. We are moving to 66 High Street.

I am closing on Christmas Eve until the 4th January I hoped to be moved in that time. The plan was not to move until February and its difficult to do when I have classes and an open shop. Hopefully everything we be in place for the new year. I’ll keep you updated as we go. My contact details will still be the same.

Thanks for reading and following.

keep warm.

Ami

xxx

behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, Christmas, Crochet, News, sewing studio, textile art, Uncategorized, Workshop and classes, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

We’re On Count Down !

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

We’re getting ready and really excited for the Yarn Bombing display to start now.

In June this year we asked for your help to decorate the town this Christmas…. task was to knit or crochet 10.5 inch squares. At first we panicked thinking we had probably asked for too much (we needed hundreds of squares)…….however you have proved us wrong. We have reached our target and more.

As we speak we are joining them together to make tree blankets.

These will go on display every day until December 20th, so please pop down and have a look.

A huge thank you to everyone that has donated their time and skills.

The kids have been busy too this week. Christmas gnomes are in the process of being made, Christmas stockings being cut, gifts are being planned and more bunting was finished …… all in all a very successful and enjoyable week.

We have also opened up the diary for the birthday parties for next year. So if your child would like a creative party please take a look at the website for more details.

On Wednesday evening we had a full class for our Free Motion Workshop. This workshop is designed for beginners and is a great chance to join others and have fun…

And that spurred me on to get creating……pencil to stitch.

That’s it for this week…….I’ll catch up with you next week.

Thanks for reading and following.

Have a fab weekend

Ami xxx

behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, Christmas, New Stock, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Time To Sit Down With a Cup Of Hot Chocolate……

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Ami

And organise the workshops and classes for 2017.

Since the Sewing Studio opened upstairs in February this year we have been able to offer a range of workshops ranging from beginners sewing to quilting, drawing with a sewing machine to textile arts, bunting to cushions and of course the knicker party.

Its been an amazing to see so much creativity. So it’s time to start thinking about next year…

Back to this year though and still plenty happening….

The kids are still preparing for Christmas and so far they have produced over 30 metres of bunting between them…….

And a huge achievement for one of my groups that have designed and made their own patterns for a mermaid tail. They have been left to their own devices on this project …..I just supervised.

We had our wool delivered at last yesterday which has been a huge relief after it seems to taken a life time to arrive….

We have stocked up on the essentials but have also had a couple of new contenders arrive which are new to the Stylecraft range.

Firstly their new sock yarn ..Head Over Heals.

And then it was time to unpack to beautiful new Chunky Tweed along with the patterns ….

And a few more patterns for good measure ….

Our new vouchers have arrived …..perfect for Christmas gifts.

This week I’ve been doodling and thread painting this week….. it’s nice to hand stitch for a change.

And on that note a have two spaces left on the Free Motion Embroidery class….contact me to book.

That the lot for this week, have a great bonfire night…..stay safe.

Ami x

children's sewing bee, Christmas, in the haberdashery, New Stock, News, Workshop and classes

The Sewing Studio !

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Yes it’s blog time again and this time it’s all about the Sewing Studio.

My favourite part of the building where all the magic happens…..

It’s amazing fully equipped room with sewing machines, cutting tables, chill out area for the crochet ladies and a kettle 🙂

Our children have been very busy in the here the last couple of weeks making, dolls, owl cushions, bunting, door stops and even mermaid tails…….

We are also putting an awards evening on for all the children in our Sewing Bee. This is going to be a lovely evening full of nibbles, drinks and certificates. Friday 25th November at 6pm.

And yes it’s true….. I’m opening setting up more sewing bee sessions for children aged between 8- 16yrs old in January. These sessions will be after school on a Tuesday or Thursday. Some slots have already been reserved so I have some limited spaces left.
The sessions run weekly 4pm – 5pm.
I have 24 children already attending my classes. All of them are doing fantastic and have made so many gorgeous items which have included hand stitching, embroidery, designing patterns, machine sewing, quilting and much more.

If your interested in this for you child please contact me for registration forms, further details and to reserve a place.

On to the adults now and this week we’ve had the first of our Christmas workshops of the year…..appliqué cushions.

Dont forget to check on the website for more dates and classes. X

New stock arrived earlier in the week……. perfect for Christmas presents….

That’s my news this week, thank you for reading.

Dont forget to change your clocks this weekend.

Ami xx

children's sewing bee, Christmas, City & Guilds, New Stock, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Warning This Blog Contains Lots Of Crafty Pics!!!!

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

I’ve lots to show this week…

lets start with festivities. After the Christmas fabrics arrived it was shortly followed by bits and bobs.

I must admit though that I haven’t started any Christmas crafting as yet (hanging head in shame).

But enough Christmas talk for a minute and let’s look what the kids have been making.

My Saturday groups have been busier than ever and it shows…..book covers, patchwork bags, appliqué cushions and amazing doorstops.

My new Monday group have been getting used to the sewing machines and I’m amazed by the outcome….

Whilst on a Wednesday (my second new group) we are practicing hand stitches and making rag dolls…..

It was also time for this months Craft & Chat evening. This takes place on the first Tuesday of every month 6pm – 8.30pm, bring your own project. £5 including tea, coffee and cakes.

In between all of that I managed to finish my Hare wall hanging …

AND pass my module 2 on my City & Guilds certificate….

It’s been such an amazing week, thanks for following and I’ll see you next week.

Ami xxx

behind the scenes, Butterick patterns, children's sewing bee, Christmas, Crochet, Fabric, in the haberdashery, New Stock, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

The Bird & The Hare !

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Ami

Well hello and happy Autumn to you :).

I can’t quite work out where this week has gone……time is flying by which means we are close to Christmas now (in a crafting sense). So it was perfect timing to increase our Christmas fabric range. Not only have we got the gorgeous festive prints from Timeless Treasures now we have these yummy ones in stock too.

AND we’ve also had a new range of fabric paints in…… 24 different shades which become permanent after ironing.

It’s that time of year again where Butterick drop the price of their sewing patterns. Patterns are now half price until the 15th October. Over 3000 patterns in stock.

This week was the end of our last quilting course of the year 😦 I just love tutoring these courses. It’s a daunting task to people new to quilting but every single one of my ladies have done me proud. The evenings and day courses have been fun, relaxed and productive so it’s a definite that I will be running courses again next year.

The kids in the sewing bee have been busy (as always). At the moment when have two groups making patchwork bags, a group starting to make a rag doll, two groups making doorstops.

On Saturday we have finished off appliqué cushions and book covers.

The book covers are a great project, it allows to pick you own colour scheme (and is great for using up scraps). Then designing the layout followed by thread choice and the most exciting part……picking and experimenting with stitches.

Our Sue and her lovely ladies from the crochet workshop have been following the Stylecraft crochet along……..the crochet workshops run every Saturday 10-12pm. Beginners very welcome.

Lastly, I’ve been experimenting again with raw edge appliqué …..neither of these are finished but I’d thought I’d share pics to prove I’ve been busy 🙂

That’s all my news for this week, it’s been another busy and vibrant week here. Thanks for following.

see you next week

Ami x

behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, New Stock, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

It’s Nearly Autumn :) x

Posted on September 16, 2016September 16, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

We are fast approaching my favourite season…..Autumn. Yes I love the Autumn colours, frosty mornings, bonfire night, Halloween and everyone starting their Christmas makes.

So these just arrived in time 🙂

Santa and snowflake hat toppers from DMC x

Later on this week the yarn delivery finally made an appearance ……in the heat wave I might add ……yes I unpacked the lot on the hottest September day since 1911.

We have new colours in Stylecraft chunky, a new range of Aran Ombré and a full restock of all the favourites.

This week the sewing bee has been in full swing, the Saturday have made a start on their book covers whilst my older group have finished off appliqué cushions. My Monday group have started patchwork bags and my Wednesday group have stitched their stitch tests and progressed onto lined tote bags. All in all a very productive week…..

At the beginning part of the week I finished the last two textile art dress wall hangings off.

I’ve really enjoyed designing and stitching these. I wanted to use scraps of materials to make beautiful dresses. This is why this collection is named Rags to Riches ..

Thats is all our news for this week 🙂

Can’t wait to see what next week brings.

Thanks for reading

Ami

xxx

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

I’m Ready For The Weekend !!!!

Posted on September 10, 2016September 10, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

You would not believe how hectic this week has been……but still fun 🙂

My little sewers have been busy again this week. Patchwork and appliqué has been the challenge……

On Monday and Wednesday I had my new Sewing Bee sessions start for 8-12yrs. Both sessions were brilliant but I have nothing to show you as yet as they are getting to grips on the machines and completing little challenges to help them relax.

Monday evening it was the adults turn and four ladies joined me in the Free Motion Embroidery Introduction Workshop. This is a great session and people are always impressed with the results.

Then it was on to the 2nd evening of the quilting course and yet again I’m so pleased with the results. The ladies worked extremely hard and I can’t wait to see the finished quilts….

The crochet class have been up to their usual antics ….. You can join them every Saturday 10am-12pm

This week we’ve had a delivery of tote bags and still awaiting a delivery of yarns 😦

I’ve had a little bit of time to get some stitching finished….

Thats it for this week I’m off to relax 🙂

Thank you for reading

Ami

children's sewing bee, City & Guilds, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Never a Dull Moment!!!!

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a great bank holiday weekend. It was nice to get some extra family time in the nice weather. But it was nice to get back to creating and teaching.

Let’s start with the sewing bee…..

my younger stitchers have been tackling patchwork

Whilst my older stitchers finished off their owls

All the children I teach are so enthusiastic and take to every challenge in the most amazing way.

Next it was the start of my last 3 part quilting course of this year 😦 (don’t worry I will be back with new quilting courses next year)

It may be the last quilting course of the year BUT there’s always lots of other workshops happening …..take a look at the workshops for the end of the year Here

I’ve been rather busy this week dying fabrics and making mini art quilts before I start back on my course after the summer break….

And I also found time to change the window display….

All in all a very productive week.

thanks for reading x

Ami

children's sewing bee, News, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Give a Quilt A Go!

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Ami

Hi everyone,

Yesterday was the return of my quilt in day course. This course is popular and always show amazing results.

Customers often talk about my quilts and they always assume I have a lot of patience, but I can honestly say when it comes to any type of crafting I have no patience what so ever. I like to see projects growing quickly and have results in no time at all. The reason I love to quilt whether it be a mini art quilt or a bed size quilt is that from start to finish you go through various techniques from cutting, piecing, framing and smashing, basting, quilting and at the very end binding and standing back to see the finished article. Every stage is completely different.

It just proves this in my workshops. I like to use quick techniques alongside traditional designs and it works a treat.

Yesterday was no exception and the ladies made beautiful lap quilts and had a fantastic take…..

The children’s workshops are still going extremely well and now it’s the time of year to start looking towards Christmas and gift ideas. Obviously I can’t divulge gift ideas on here ……..well maybe a few sneaky pics.

But for this week my younger group are tackling patchwork and are mid way through the challenge whilst my older group are a good way through making Lolly the owls…….and I have body parts to prove it….

I’ve had lots of fun this week thread sketching on my machine.

First up was a sketch of my little man…..when I showed him he just rolled his eyes 🙂

Then it was on to a commission piece of a mini…..a little odd as I’ve never attempted a car but I thought I’d give it a go…..

Lastly I had a spare five minutes to set up my own page on Facebook for my textile art and other experiments. You can find me on here at Ami James Textiles

That’s it for this week…….I’m off to crochet squares together for our yarn bombing campaign.

Have a great weekend and I’ll catch you on Tuesday (closed bank holiday Monday)

Ami x