My Favorite - Simply Needlecraft Haberdashery & Sewing Studio

Ami James - Textile Artist, behind the scenes, blog, Christmas, home makes, My Favorite

Autumn

This year is flying by and lets face what year its been. But now for the last couple of weeks we’ve been in my favourite part of the year…….Autumn.

Its all about cold crispy mornings, warm snuggly clothes, candles, books, the fire on, hot chocolate, walks with the turning leaves and pj’s. Bonfire night is my favourite night of the year but it looks like that’s cancelled (gutted).

However my craft room is near enough finished so now ill be able to craft at home and film more tutorials for our Fabric Community (if your not already a member head over to https://www.simplysewingboxes.com )

Before

At the moment

It still needs organising, a blind and a light but its getting there.

I’ve been getting festive and now my Christmas Quilt is finished. I’m filming the tutorial for this tomorrow for our Fabric Community Members.

I’ve finished a painting by numbers for my craft room

Now I’ve started EPP Hexagons

Now I’m on the hunt for other projects.

Does anyone else like a list of projects to work through……..or is it just me?

Stay Safe

Ami

xxx

10th October 2020/by Ami Porter

children's sewing bee, Crochet, Fabric, in the haberdashery, My Favorite, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

It’s been a fab week…….take a look!

Hi everyone,

These weeks are flying by so quickly and it’s now week two of the Summer holidays here. I had a day off on Wednesday to spend some quality time with my little man which prepared me for the HUGE fabric order arriving. Yes we had our delivery from Timeless Treasures and I’m so pleased with the fabric……..

I love them all but my favourite has to be the snow scene with the trees.

So the three part quilting course came to an end this week with gorgeous results. Our quilting courses are very popular and I’ve added the dates for the rest of the year to our website Here.

I love everyday in the haberdashery but my favourite day is Saturday where I spend all my time in the Sewing Studio. It’s a full day of seeing people and children get creative….this Saturday was no exception.

But I have summer school to look forward to over the next two weeks as I have my stitchers and some new children joining us. Plans are that my older group will be quilting and my younger stitchers will be making a pillow pal.

I’ve been finishing off and framing my latest piece of textile art……using complimentary colours, mixed media and free machine stitching….

That’s it for this week, please note I’m closed on Thursday due to being at the quilting festival at the NEC.

Thanks for reading.

Ami xxxx

5th August 2016/by Ami Porter

Christmas, Crochet, Fabric, My Favorite, New Stock, sewing studio, Workshop and classes

Its all cracking off here

Hi everyone…….another late blog :)

Its been all go here !

Lets have a run down with lasts weeks shenanigans –

The week started off with my Mother itching to get festive, which meant it was Christmas window dressing time. She’s done a fantastic job ……..

On Wednesday we had a meeting with a new fabric supplier. I’m pleased to say we are now official stockists of Timeless Treasures and Dear Stella fabrics. However our first order isn’t arriving in England until January/February time…….Boohoo. BUT the fabrics we have ordered will blow you away I promise :)

Thursday evening, the Sewing Studio was alive with learning and laughter. Our Christmas Applique Cushion was full of creativity, everyone made gorgeous cushions to take home with them. This is without a doubt my favourite part of my job.

Christmas Applique

As we speak I’m working on next years workshops. I’ll let you know ASAP but it looks like its going to be a fab year in the studio.

So on to Saturday – the workshop open day was amazing. we had crochet & knitting, patchwork and free motion, Christmas decorations and lots of tea and cake…….and I mean lots of cake.

Heres a few pics of things that were made…..

Next up is our Sue who’s yet again been making gorgeous things, however this time its mermaid’s tails.

Also this week gift vouchers are back in store and online, perfect Christmas presents….

Available here

So that’s it for last week.

Thankyou for all your kind words on the window display, for your support whether it be online and in store and I’ll see you soon.

Ami, Dave, Sylvia & Glyn

16th November 2015/by Ami Porter

behind the scenes, City & Guilds, My Favorite, New Stock, sewing studio

Sewing machines, Yarns and a Celebration

Hi everyone,

What a week! We’ve been rushed off our feet this week and Sewing Machine sales are at an all time high. Our best seller is definitely the Singer Tradition 2263 which we have to hire in our Sewing Studio. If anyone would like to see this machine in action before buying then drop me a message and we can show you the ropes.

This week was also about the Yarn delivery and we’ve restocked and we’ve had new lines in too.

It’s just very time-consuming unpacking it all……But I got there in the end :)

So new in –

New shades in the Robin Paintbox DK 100g

New patterns have also arrived

But my favourite by far has got to be the brand new fleece yarn from Robin….Fleece Chunky 100g – This can be used with any chunky pattern and is super soft.

Its been a great week, but today has topped this week off very nicely.

After a long, hard slog I received the news today that I’ve passed my first module in my City & Guilds Embroidery course. Many of you that have been in the shop have probably seen me pulling my hair out the last three months and looking a tad bit stressed but I passed and I’m so relieved.

A snippet of my coursework.

I have a break for a couple of weeks before I start the 2nd module so I’m going to make the most of the time and finish off my quilt (that’s the plan anyway).

Thank you for all your support. I love the haberdashery so much but it wouldn’t be possible without you :)

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

Ami, Dave, Sylvia and Glyn. xx

18th July 2015/by Ami Porter

Fabric, in the haberdashery, My Favorite, New Stock, sewing studio

Tilda hits Swadlincote

Good evening folks,

Is it just me or are the weeks just flying by??

It’s been a lovely week here, people are now booking the workshops they are interested in for July and August and also now taking bookings to hire out our machines in the sewing studio :)

But the highlight for me this week has got to be our deliveries. The first delivery of the week brought some fab items….

colorful cotton tapes

Cute Cotton Lace

Gorgeous Linen Fat Quarter Bundles

Beautiful Bunting Kits

Adorable Craft Packs

BUT my favourite part of the week has got to be the two new suppliers we gained.

Tilda fabric is now finally available in Swadlincote and it lives up to its reputation

AND another fabric supplier……Freedom Fabric. Freedom Fabrics are one of my favourites, their designs are beautiful and the quality of the cotton is incredible. This is the Petit Fleur Collection.

So that’s it for another week.

A massive thank you to you all, this wouldn’t be possible without you,

Have a lovely weekend and we will see you next week :)

Ami, Dave, Glyn and Sylvia.

27th June 2015/by Ami Porter

behind the scenes, Christmas, Customers, home makes, My Favorite

Merry Christmas xxx

With 4 days until the big day we would like to wish all of our customers a Merry Christmas.

Things have changed dramatically since Christmas 2013….anybody fancy a trip down memory lane and to see some of my favourite pics?

Last Christmas we were on the market, I loved the market BUT I don’t miss the gloomy weather.

Early starts

In February we decided that the market gazebos just wasn’t big enough so we decided we needed a new home…..

Home sweet home

Within a few weeks and a few tins of paint later…..

Slowly getting there

Prepping the Window display

Nearly there

And we’re ready to open ….

Opening day

It’s been a brilliant year, the haberdashery has been so busy. Shortly after we opened our lovely Sue joined us to teach Crochet and Knitting. Her teaching skills are fab and we’re so proud of her….(I’ll keep you updated with next years dates, so get your diaries ready).

Workshops

Sue has such a warm and fun approach to her workshops and it’s never to late to learn …..

Star Pupil

We also had a lot of celebrating to do when Singer asked us to be a Singer dealership….I couldn’t quite believe it x

In November you joined us in helping to decorate the rainbows hospice with the most gorgeous handmade decorations. I can safely say that we were inundated with beautiful decorations and as a result the hospice received 97 decorations altogether. I representative from the hospice came to collect and it was a very tearful moment……I think we should do it again for next Christmas.

Don’t they look fab x

Our fabrics have grown to. I started of with a mere 25 rolls to now reaching 308 rolls now. I’ve got to say fabric is my favourite and we have the most lovely, mildly wacky rep.

We’ve had customers makes (which will be a regular feature on the blog in 2015)

Angry minion hat, it’s so warm and cosy….thanks Yvonne

On a personal note I started a City & Guilds in Design and Stitch which I’m really enjoying. So along with my quilting I’ve learned new things –

A few of my hand-made things

A truly fan packed and busy year which I have enjoyed so much.

So whats in store for 2015,

More fabric,

New range of wool felt,

More sewing machines,

A full range of bamboo crochet hooks,

Upstairs will be refurbished and opened,

Lots and lots of new lines

AND hopefully I’ll pass my first level of my City & Guilds.

So on that note, Happy Christmas everyone I’ve loved meeting each and every one of you. Thank you for your support, this would not have possible without you.

The Haberdashery Blog will return in 2015 until then happy crafting.

Ami

xxxx

20th December 2014/1 Comment/by Ami Porter

Fabric, in the haberdashery, My Favorite, New Stock, Uncategorized

A new range of fat quarter bundles.

As many of you know my most favourite things in the haberdashery is fabric and threads. So I was so excited when the new fat quarter bundles arrived.

Colourful and gorgeous I think these are my favourite we’ve had in store so far. What do you think?

Autumn Time

As many of you know I like to share others fb pages, blogs and websites. I share them on here as well as our link page on the main website https://www.simplyneedlecraft.com/links.html

This week I really need to share this site with you – https://www.red-brolly.com/

I visit this site and its blog at least once a week. Tutorials and free patterns to download for embroidery, quilting, sewing projects, paper crafting but also fantastic recipes. They also have an online store filled with sewing patterns, quilt templates and sewing kits. This lady really has it all because she lives in sunny Australia :)

Go check out the links page where you can see more of my favourites.

Thanks for reading.

xxxxx

20th October 2014/by Ami Porter

Autumn

It’s been a fab week…….take a look!

Its all cracking off here

Sewing machines, Yarns and a Celebration

Tilda hits Swadlincote

Merry Christmas xxx

A new range of fat quarter bundles.

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