in the hoop | Simply Needlecraft Haberdashery & Sewing Studio

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, in the haberdashery, in the hoop, New Stock, Workshop and classes, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

My Sewing Studio

The Sewing Studio is the heart of Simply Needlecraft for me. From adults workshops to children’s workshop, from knitting to crochet to sewing to craft and chat ………. oooopppps I forgot to share to the photos on fb of our last evening. So here they are…..

Its been a busy time for the Sewing Bee too as the 8-12ys have been making appliqué cushions……

Owls…….

Lampshades …….

T-shirts……

Neck cushions ……..

Tapestry……..

And for the 12-16yrs groups it been all about pj bottoms…….

The Sewing Studio was also home to the Mother & Daughter Sewing class too. This is one of my favourite workshops, where mother and daughters team up to make an item. This months class focused on cushion making…..

I’ve been busy working on my own Textile Art and coursework…….you can keep up to date by visiting https://stitchedbyami.com/

Lots of new fabrics in too………just look at them all…..

Thank you for reading.

have a lovely weekend

Ami

xxx

14th July 2017/by Ami Porter

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

I’m Ready For The Weekend !!!!

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

xx

10th September 2016/by Ami Porter

behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, City & Guilds, Crochet, in the hoop, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Thanks For Reading x

Hi Everyone,

Thank you to everyone that reads our blog. We are gaining more readers and followers recently which means so much.

Lets crack on with the week shall we? Its been a short week but still packed with fun !

Our children’s Party plans are going well. To find out more please click here here you’ll be able to get info on packages and prices as well as booking.

Our party invitations arrived too this week….

Preparations going well

The Big News – Yarn Bombing !

Yes you heard right !

The local council has agreed to let us yarn bomb the town (the Delph) for Christmas.

The displays will be put on show on the day of the Christmas light switch on event and will remain up until new year.

We/I am asking for your help to make this possible. ….We need 10.5 inch squares :)

Workshops !

I had a very proud moment when my ladies from this months quilting course finished their lap quilts using a disappearing nine patch design.

They have cut, sewn, pieced, basted, bordered, quilted and binded these gorgeous quilts.

All beginners I might add.

Very Proud !

June’s quilting course – 3 part is full I’m afraid but next week I’ll be sitting down with my diary and planning dates for July.

Also quickly I have a new Children’s Sewing Bee starting Monday 5th September 4pm – 5pm for the 8yrs-12yrs…….I have ONE space left. Please contact me if you are interested.

The Craft Room !

This week I have also been bust setting up a new Facebook group – The Craft Room.

This group is for any type of crafter and its a place to meet like-minded folks, share advice and tips and to also share your makes and advertise you crafty pages. Pop over and join us, it’s still early days so little helps. The Craft Room, Join Here

What I’ve Been Making

I’ve had quite a creative week this week….

A new wall hanging…..

A book cover using stitch and slash……Please visit the website to see workshops on the technique

And a crocheted necklace….as part of my coursework.

Thanks everyone for your support its truly overwhelming….I’ll see you next week :)

Ami

xxxxx

4th June 2016/by Ami Porter

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

Loads of Pics !!!!!!

Wow wow wow…..What a week…..WARNING CONTAINS LOTS OF PICS!

Right lets crack on with this weeks gossip.

Sewing Bee!

My little stitchers have been carrying on with their creativity this week…..(one very proud tutor here).

Dream Clouds 8-12yrs

Dream Clouds 8-12yrs

Dream Clouds 8-12yrs

12 – 16 years

Bunting & Hearts 12-16 years

We’ve got loads of projects planned for our Sewing bee including this gorgeous tool belt….

AND we have launched our dates for the Sewing School dates throughout the summer holidays…

Adults Workshops & Courses!

The week of workshops kicked off with our quilting course. Once again my ladies joined me in the Sewing Studio to carry with their disappearing nine patch quilts…..

And then it was the turn off our Beginners Sewing workshop….mission was to create a tote bag….

Theres some availability on a coupe of our workshops

you can book places on these workshops HERE

Whats been going on in the Haberdashery!

The shops had a move round….

We’ve had a huge delivery from Stylecraft Yarns….

And we have a fab offer on the last of the Robin stock….

I’ve also fitted in time (surprisingly) to finish off a Textile Art Cushion

Its been an amazing week. Thank you so much for your support and lovely comments.

See you next week for another fun-filled week.

Ami

xxxxxx

28th May 2016/by Ami Porter

Butterick patterns, children's sewing bee, Crochet, in the hoop, New Stock, sewing studio, Uncategorized, Workshop and classes

It Just Gets Better & Better !

Hi everyone,

Its been an incredible creative week for both young & old (or older).

I’m going to start with our evening workshops that have ran this week…..

The Knicker Party and the 2nd night of our quilting course.

I like to just add quickly that due to the quick sell out of June’s Quilting Course I have decided to add a Quilt in a Day class on the 30th June – For full details CLICK HERE

Now lets move on to my little stitchers. For a couple of weeks they have been busy behind the scenes, but now I can share the end products and I must say I proud I am of them…..take a look.

My 8-12yrs Sessions

My 12-16yrs Group

Aren’t they fantastic……and we have more, much more planned.

I’ve been busy too recently, fitting in some quality stitching time in between coursework…

My Town & Country Project is off to a good start.

Firstly with a textile collage of one of my favourite places….the stunning Dovedale.

and then it was on to free motion embroidery …..Meadow Scene.

And then to finish off the week I managed to finish an unfinished project. Lap blanket using Stylecraft Chunky Yarn.

New stock in this week….

Buttons, Pin Cusions, Tape Measures and Tilda Fabrics

Buttons, Pin Cushions, Tape Measures and Tilda Fabrics

The new Butterick Catalogue came out this week and we have over 2000 patterns in stock and ready to go.

Thats it for this week. An amazing week, absolutely worn out but can’t wait until next week.

See you next week.

Ami

xxx

21st May 2016/by Ami Porter

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.

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.

6th February 2016/by Ami Porter

City & Guilds, Crochet, in the haberdashery, in the hoop, New Stock, News, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Where to start………….

Hello everyone,

I’ve had little to no time to blog for a couple of weeks, however soon that should hopefully changed very soon as we are finally becoming a bit more modern and having broadband installed in the haberdashery :)

You might have already heard but if not then …….Its finally here

Simply Needlecraft’s Childrens Sewing Bee – Starting Saturday 5^th March 2016

This is a weekly club which will run on a Saturday.

There are two different age ranges – 8yrs -12yrs and 12yrs -16yrs.

Our Sewing Bee will include all crafts – Hand sewing & Embroidery, Machine Sewing, Patchwork & Quilting, Crochet and Knitting as well as others.

Everything is included including the use of a Singer sewing machines. The fabric, sewing supplies, scissors, tools and threads needed to complete the projects. A project folder to keep patterns and instructions in.

Spaces available – Saturdays

10am-11am – 8yrs – 12yrs – £6.50 per session – paying a month in advance – 2 spaces left

11.30am -12.30pm – 8yrs – 12yrs – £6.50 per session – paying a month in advance – 1 space left

1.30pm-3.pm – 12yrs- 16yrs – £8 per session – paying a month in advance – 3 spaces left

For booking details please visit our website – https://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/page_3436338.html

Still on the subject of workshops, we had a lovely Mother & Daughter Patchwork session last week. We had an amazing afternoon and look what my little sewers made…

We have a few new workshops that have been announced…..

First up

Beginners Crochet – This is perfect for complete beginners – this workshop is designed to show you basic stitches and you will leave with knowledge and a finished granny square – Full details here

We also have a new Lampshade workshop on offer – this is a no sew class – Full details here

and last but by no means least …..

The Rag Rug Cushion Workshop – A vintage craft with a modern twist – Full details here

We also have the rag rug tools in stock :)

I’ve been quite busy myself crafting the last few weeks……

Fabric printing for my coursework

great fun and very messy :)

I’ve made a crocheted bag ……

which I’m quite proud of BUT………….I’m really proud of my elephant ……George

What do you think?

Anyway that it for another week, we have so much going on in the pipeline with work shops, classes and the children’s sewing bee. Hopefully I’ll be able to give you lots more to look forward to in the next couple of weeks.

But for now……Thanks for reading, have a lovely weekend and thank you for all of your support.

Ami, David, Glyn and Sylvia xxxxxx

23rd January 2016/by Ami Porter

Christmas, City & Guilds, in the haberdashery, in the hoop, New Stock

A Monday Blog Post

Hi everyone,

I bit strange for me posting on a Monday but I haven’t been around last weekend as it was my son’s 11th birthday…….god I’m starting to feel old :)

So Tuesday morning I arrive at the shop to find the towns Christmas decorations are being put up ….

We’ve had loads of new yarns arrive which meant we have had to make room. That why the Merino yarn has now been slashed from £6.00 to £2.00 to £1.50.

Kindly being modelled by my little helper

So lets take a look at the new stuff

Paintball DK New Shades

These Shades of Seriously Chunky are back in stock ……perfect for arm knitting

Aran 400g

New shades in the Bonny Babe DK prints…..Super soft

Huge 500g balls of DK

Wendy Chic – £2.50 Amazing Quality and Super Soft

New patterns too….

children’s

Baby’s

Blankets

Adults

This week I have been cracking on with coursework

Textile art/ mixed media project.

I mixture of hessian, jute, ric rac, lace, cord turns in to…….

Ta – Da :)

And lastly I am proud to say that we are now a part of Made in Derbyshire. Have a look at their great work

And we even get a certificate and a shopping bag…. :)

Well that’s all folks……have a fab week

Thanks for supporting us. x

2nd November 2015/by Ami Porter

City & Guilds, Crochet, Customers, Fabric, in the haberdashery, in the hoop, New Stock, Workshop and classes

Fabrics, Hedgehogs and More Discounts

Hi Everyone,

Now its this time of year that I love…..(people think I’m mad).

I love the cold frosty mornings, dark cosy nights, hot chocolate, bonfire night, snow, being cosy and of course Christmas. But this the perfect time of year for crafting and you lot have definitely proved it this week both in the Haberdashery and online.

Lets start with this weeks discounts.

As you are aware we have reduced our price on our sewing classes right up until the end of the year. So now its time to reduce our Knitting & Crochet Workshops.

From now, up until Christmas there is a 10% discount for booking online through our online shop…..BOOK HERE

Please note – all of our workshops are on a first come first serve basis, the workshops are booking up quickly. If the workshop you are interested is booked up we do have a waiting list. You just email to pop me a quick email with your details and I will add you to our list.

New stock has also arrived this week (even though one delivery didn’t turn up on time)

I’m still busy working away on my City & Guilds Coursework in the hope that I can get the majority of the course finished before the Christmas break. However I have started a new project :) As many of you know I am a huge fan of Hedgehogs so I’ve decided to make a Hedgehog themed quilt….. and this is the first couple of blocks…

Can I also remind everyone about our Free Workshop Open Day in a few weeks time

And lastly, thank to everyone that has donated Christmas Decorations so far, we still have a month to go, so please keep them coming….

Thank you all for your support, it’s so over whelming to have your custom and to see your lovely makes, you are so talented.

Next week – hopefully the final delivery will turn up, fingers crossed.

Thanks for reading and following.

Don’t forget to change your clocks tonight.

See you next week

Ami, Dave, Sylvia & Glyn

24th October 2015/by Ami Porter

Christmas, City & Guilds, in the haberdashery, in the hoop, rainbows, Workshop and classes

This weeks Blog…….Catchup with us here at Simply Needlecraft

Hi everyone,

It’s the end of the first week back at school for many of us in Derbyshire and I have to say I’m missing my little man coming to work with me :( however half-term will be here in no time at all :)

So whats been going on here…

Mother has been busy preparing for her Chistmas decorations and bunting workshops (still a couple of places available, please book via the website).

Weve had a delivery this week which was mainly a top up of stock but we’ve also had some lovely new buttons in, loads and loads of new bias binding and motifs……but I forgot to take pictures apart form some of the motifs………I’m useless aren’t I :)

On Thursday this week the new Butterick catalogue came along with a brand new Autumn collection. There’s lots of choice and sizes 8 – 24 in stock so come and have a browse next time your passing.

We’ve had some fab Christmas decoration donations this week for our Handmade Chrsitmas Rainbows Appeal……Please remember all donations have to be in by the 29th November so keep them coming, lets smash our target.

Thank you to Sue Pole for her gorgeous decorations.

This week I’ve been researching and stitching textures as part of my city & Guilds.

Denim textures

and machine braids

I’m well on my way to finishing my 2nd module (only one more to do) so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can finish it by the end of the year.

Anyway, have a fab weekend looks like the weather is going to be good for us here in the Midlands. Thank you for all your continued support and recommendations.

We will see you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on Monday morning.

Ami, Dave, Glyn andSylvia.

xxxxxxxxxx

19th September 2015/by Ami Porter

My Sewing Studio

I’m Ready For The Weekend !!!!

Thanks For Reading x

Loads of Pics !!!!!!

It Just Gets Better & Better !

New Fabric, New Yarn & New Website.

Where to start………….

A Monday Blog Post

Fabrics, Hedgehogs and More Discounts

This weeks Blog…….Catchup with us here at Simply Needlecraft

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