Blog | Simply Needlecraft Haberdashery & Sewing Studio

Ami James - Textile Artist, behind the scenes, blog, children's sewing bee, home makes, in the haberdashery, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

I’m At My Happiest When I’m Creative!

We’ve had a weekend away in Weymouth to recharge our batteries, good weather and family time,………..What more could you ask for.

Now its back to work and what I love doing………..being creative.

Slowly the Children’s Sewing Classes have restarted and now I’m hoping to sit down with my diary and arrange for the Adults workshops to restart.

If you interested in joining me please head over to the website and send me a message http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com

I will still be filming for my Youtube Channel too, weekly tutorials for sewing and quilting.

If you’ve not visited the channel hop over to https://www.youtube.com/c/AmiSimplyNeedlecraft

Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out on the new tutorials being added.

Sewing and Quilting is my passion, I couldn’t imagine not having a project on the go (or ten).

So the creativity carries on at home but this time I’ve decided a big project ……….. refurb and a complete overhaul to make a craft/inspiration room.

So this is how it looks at the minute…… Stage one…

wish me luck, I’ve got lots of fabric, craft projects, quilts and so much to find storage for in a tiny room on a budget.

I hope your all safe and keeping well.

Ami
xxx

11th September 2020/0 Comments/by Simply Needlecraft

Ami James - Textile Artist, behind the scenes

Oh Wow it’s been a while …….

I can’t believe it’s been over two years since the last time I posted on this blog.

Life’s been a bit of a roller coaster to say the least, the good news is though it’s getting back on track so it’s the right time to get back to blogging.

So this is going to be a quick post.

The haberdashery reopened its doors in January 2020 after an 18 month break. Ten weeks later the world ground to a halt which pushed the shop online. A new website was set up http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com

April was the beginning of The Fabric Community.

Back in 2019 I had an idea to set up a group that would receive a box of fabrics, threads, accessories and a new pattern/tutorial ever month.

In April I decided to put my idea into action and Simply Sewing Boxes was formed.

Its going really well, everyone’s enjoying it and getting very creative. All members get invited to a private Facebook group to share tips, inspiration and idea’s. Have a look and join us if your interested.

http://www.simplysewingboxes.com

So I’ve kick started this blog back up to show you behind the scenes, what I’m up to, what my next step is, everything haberdashery related, my new ideas, experiments AND my attempt to create a sewing room at home on a budget.

I’m away this weekend so the blog will start back properly next week.

But for now……… head over to the website where there’s a giveaway going on.

http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/giveaways

See you next week

xxx

Ami

2nd September 2020/0 Comments/by Ami Porter

blog

Welcome to our new website

We are pleased to announce that our new website and blog is now live.

Get the latest news, photos and updates from Ami, Paul and Simply Needlecraft by checking back regularly.

Please follow us on facebook for information about upcoming workshops and events.

27th April 2020/by Simply Needlecraft

Uncategorized

A Catchup!!!

1355 simplicity dresses pattern 1355 a envelope

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve blogged but we’ve still been busy.

I’m starting to prepare workshops for the rest of the year where I’ll be joined by other tutors to bring you more workshops in a variety of crafts….. I’ll update you as soon as I can.

But back to what’s been going on.

The Free Motion Embroidery workshop has been back and yet again a great success. This is a two hour workshop which always ends in fantastic results …..

and also a new workshop that was introduced this year…… the rag bag workshop….

Our monthly Craft & Chat Night also took place this week. A really lovely bunch of crafters covering a huge range of crafts…..

Easter was a busy time for the children as they prepared for the holidays…..

But we fitted that in between the quilting entries that are progressing nicely….

I have a new session starting up on the 1st of May for children aged between 8-12years…..

Don’t forget all the workshops on offer are available to book on the website https://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/workshopsclasses.html

The crochet workshop had a break over Easter but our tutor is back tomorrow but this is what they’ve been up to…..

I’ve been busy doing my coursework….the end is in sight ……

And im really pleased to say I’m taking part in this years Belper Art Trail. But this year I have the time to be an artist in situ and I’ll be at the Lion https://www.belperarts.org/

That’s it for now, thank you for reading.

Ami

xxx

6th April 2018/by Ami Porter

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, sewing studio, Tutor, Uncategorized

Exciting Times :)

1198 simplicity tops vests pattern 1198 envelope back

Hi everyone,

I’m now back from the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show at Olympia Stadium. I had three lovely days teaching there, I met some fantastic people and it was so lovely to see familiar faces too.

I also helped out on the Quilters Guild stand for a while and got to meet Region 1 members…..

here’s the a few of my favourites….

We had a busy time in the Sewing Studio too as the kids are busy working on their entries to the Festival of Quilts and the weekly crochet group come out with fantastic results….

I’ve got a couple of Easter workshops running for children ……. please seeHere

We’ve also had the Making Memories Quilting Group this week……which is always very creative…..please feel free to join us next me……

Theres are few various workshops coming up soon including proggy mats, sewing for beginners, textile Art Canvas, Art Quilting, thread painting and free motion …… please see www.simplyneedlecraft.com

thanks for reading,

Ami

9th March 2018/by Ami Porter

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, Crochet, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Where Did January Go?

1107 simplicity tops vests pattern 1107 envelope back

Hi everyone,

Time seems to be flying by here and it’s been a few weeks since I’ve blogged 😣

As always it’s been really busy with workshops, craft groups and the Sewing Bee.

Lets st start with the little ones……….

we’ve had rag dolls….

Doorstops….

Dinosaurs…..

Free Motion Embroidery….

The crochet group have been working wonders with wool …….

The craft groups are always growing in numbers all the time, please feel free to join us …… Look here for times and dates

The two week course on the Vintage Botanical Fabric Journal finished last week and we had beautiful results ……

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Theres another date Available for this one plus more workshops Here

I’ve finally got around to uploading my new kits on to my website……. Embroidery box kits……the price includes postage Available here…

It’s getting close to the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show at Olympia Stadium. There’s a ticket giveaway competition going on over at my Facebook page …..Here

Thanks for reading

Ami

xxx

8th February 2018/by Ami Porter

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, Crochet, Workshop and classes

Amazing Start To The Year……Warning, lots of workshop photos ❤️

Hi everyone,

Its been so busy here in the Sewing Studio which is brilliant and the diary is filling up quickly.

Theres a new craft club starting here on Monday at 10am-12pm. It would be lovely to see you there…..

The Crochet workshops have already started back. This runs every Saturday morning 10am-12pm. There’s no need to book, just come along and learn new skills. They are a friendly bunch that progress very quickly ………

The Kids Sewing Bee has also started back and as ever they are all enthusiastic and creative. We’ve had cowls, pencil cases and pouches being made and rag dolls and doorstops in progress……

My adult workshops have also been busy and so far this year we’ve had rag ruggging, beginners sewing and the Free Motion Embroidery workshop…….

The Craft & Chat and Making Memories Quilting Group have also started back 😍…..

All dates coming up are available to see on my website here

that’s all happened in 13 days 😳………….. I’m one very happy tutor

thanks for reading

Ami

xxx

19th January 2018/by Ami Porter

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, Fabric, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

The Next Chapter ………

Hi everyone,

Its been a few weeks now since the Haberdashery closed its doors and I’m finding time to breathe. I have to admit it’s been a shock to my system having spare time but I’ve had the time to sit down and plan next years courses and workshops.

The most popular workshops are back as well as a few new ones thrown in too.

All the dates and details can be found here at http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/workshopsclasses.html

There’s been quite a few workshops that have took place in the last few weeks so I’ll run through them and show you the projects.

Paper Pieced Christmas Stocking workshop last week…..

Free motion embroidery workshop last week …..

The Textile Art Canvas Workshop this week…..

Thread Painting Landscape Workshop this week …..

We also had our Craft & Chat evening and the Making Memories Quilting Group…..

The children in the Sewing Bee have also been extremely busy too making quilts, advent calendars, bows, bags and baskets…

So I’m keeping busy making sure everyone gets creative 😊

thanks for reading, make sure you pop over to the website to look at all the new dates.

Ami

xxx

17th November 2017/by Ami Porter

children's sewing bee, in the haberdashery, sewing studio, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

The Past, The Future And Now

Hi everyone,

Most of you will now know that the shop side of my business will be closing it doors at the end of the month but that’s not the end of Simply Needlecraft or the Children’s Sewing Bee

The workshops have always been my favourite part of the business. Teaching adults and children has always been the part which has me excited me to see everyone getting creative and learning new techniques.

The workshops are getting booked up quicker than ever and with the Sewing Bee which now has a recorded number of 22 children per week joining me in the Sewing Studio per week it’s turned into a full time job on its own.

I’m honoured to be asked take part in various workshops around the country next year too. With all that in mind I needed to rethink what my priorities and unfortunately the shop side of the business was holding me back from where I wanted to be. It wasn’t an easy decision that came quickly.

So as the blog title says…….let’s look at the past……the last two weeks

lets start with the Sewing Bee. The children have been working extremely hard on hoop art……

Crazy patchwork book covers …..

Next fabric weaved baskets…

The projects are WIP so I’ll definitely show you the finished items soon.

The latest Quilting Course has also started. This course takes people through every stage of quilting and over three weeks they create a beautiful lap quilt.Were on week two at the moment and we’re making great progress….

The Making Memories Quilt Group had its first session too. I great new group set up to get everyone interested in quilting together. We had a great turn out with lots of different projects being stitched. Our next meet up is on the 13th of November. Please free to join us…..

Let’s move on to the future…….

all my workshops are available to see up to Christmas on the website www.simplyneedlecraft.com

very soon I’ll be arranging the dates for next year. There will be more choice, more advanced workshops and a choice of more times.

We’ve also got the Young Quilters Halloween event coming up soon. A great way to get little ones stitching. Please check the website for details Young Quilters

As with all workshops and Sewing Bee carrying on, I’m pleased to tell you our crochet group with also be continuing. Sue has been with us from the start and every Saturday morning for three years she has inspired and taught lots of lovely ladies. These workshops run on Saturdays 10-12pm.

So what’s happening in the now, well a podcast of an interview between me and Stitchery Stories has just been released on iTunes and can be found on

http://www.stitcherystories.com/amijames/

and also

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/stitchery-stories/id1261477215#

The other thing that’s happening right now …….the sale in store….

20%off wool

50% off knitting and crochet accessories

35% off all books

50% off cross stitch kits

20% off selected fabrics

Thanks for reading

Ami

xxx

6th October 2017/by Ami Porter

behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, in the haberdashery, News, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

New Adult Quilting Group, New Sewing Bee Class and Young Quilters Event.

Hi everyone,

I’m back from my Holidays and raring to go……

I’m currently as we speak getting ready for the Melbourne Festival which starts on Saturday. I’m really excited to be part of this amazing event. I’ll be exhibiting at 52 Blanche Croft…….

I’ve got new groups and classes starting.

The first is a quilting group which is affiliated with the Quilters Guild. This is a great new group which is set up for everyone interested in patchwork and quilting. To bring along their projects, share ideas and advice and plan any future projects. This group is be held on the 1st Monday of every month here in the Sewing Studio.

I also have a new Sewing Bee starting on Thursday 28th September. The group is aimed at children aged between 8-12 years. The sessions will run every Thursday 4-5pm and the cost £7.50 per week.

I only work with a small number of children and the classes are ongoing, so if you want your child to have a place please let me know asap to reserve a place…..

We also have an event set up with the Young Quilters Guild. This event is taking place here at the Sewing Studio on Thursday 26th October 10am – 1pm.

This event is for children aged between 6-18yrs.

Projects include Halloween themed decorations and treat bags. Hand and machine sewing will be learnt.

Non members -£7

Members – £5

All children if not ready a member will get a years free membership to the Guild after visiting us.

Last night was this months Craft and Chat evening. This is a great evening for us crafters to get together with our projects. There’s lots of different types of crafts every month and the atmosphere is fantastic……if you would like to join us pop along on the first Thursday of the month….

My workshop dates have increased this quarter of the year. I’m really pleased how quickly they are booking up. If you’ve not had a look at the dates then please visit http://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/workshopsclasses.html

workshops include hand embroidery, quilting, mother and daughter sewing class, beginners sewing, fabric journals, art quilting and fabric collage and vintage workshops.