Archive for category: Workshop and classes

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Time For A Change !

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I’m so used to patchwork and quilting, it’s my passion……….. however I’m all up for pushing myself out of my comfort zone (and it’s the perfect time of year to do it). I’ve took the step to have a go at dress making…… stand by for the updates, I’ve only just  started cutting the patterns out ❤️

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Dress Making

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Dress Making

 

I’m also starting a new painting by numbers, perfect for the dark nights …… It’s so therapeutic

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I love therapeutic projects so our Fabric Community have now got my Fabric Journal workshop in video form so they can create their very own memory books. These books cost hardly anything to make, all you need is scraps of fabric and a little bit of inspiration.

If your not already part of our Fabric Community head over to www.simplysewingboxes.com

 

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What projects have you got on the go?

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Where Did January Go?

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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

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

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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

 

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The Next Chapter ………

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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 https://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

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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 https://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.

 

 

Thats it for this week, have a great weekend and I’ll see you next week.

 

Ami

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The asewing Studio!

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yes it’s my favourite part of the building. It’s a place that’s full of creativity, laughter and proud moments.

So this blog post is dedicated to everyone’s hard work.

Lets start with my groups that entered the Festival of Quilts…

Lets start with my younger group. This is a group made up of three girls, Hollie, Dolcie and Ellie and one boy Luke.

Their entry to the competition was a quilt called Up, up & away. They have been working hard since Christmas to get the quilt finished before the deadline.

They used applique, weaving, embellishing and quilting techniques. They received a highly commended in the competition……

My older group is made up of four girls, Elizabeth, Hope, Mia and Molly. Their quilt was named Natures Wardrobe. They used hand dying, raw edge appliqué, free motion stitching and free motion quilting techniques. The win 3rd place in the competition….

Both groups have worked extremely hard and I’m so proud of them.

Both quilts are on display in the shop for another week…..

Carrying on with the Sewing Studio ….

I’ve  been joined by three of my stitchers over a week to make a patchwork and quilted lap quilt…..

We’ve quilted bags from two from my stitchers…..

I’ve had another two finishing off their bunting….

We’ve had four door hangers, hot air balloons …….

We had ten book marks……

And we’ve started fabric weaving baskets that still are in working progress….

The adults have also had a try with Christmas stocking and trees…..more workshops dates for this will be announced soon……

I’ve also got new dates and workshops available in thread painting miniatures….

And paper pieced landscapes…..

I’ve also now announced my last Quilting for beginners course for the year…….all courses and workshops are on my website www.simplyneedlecraft.com

Its been a creative time for me too as the Lie of Land exhibition in Bishops Castle has now started. I’m exhibiting with Midlands Textile Forum and my piece is called Mother Earth…..

and after the Festival I set myself a little challenge……. a very little challenge ……. my first mini quilt …..

With all of this I hope you realise how much I love my Sewing Studio.

thanks for reading

 

Ami

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Isn’t Technology Great ………

Hi everyone,

I’ve got issues with the Simply Needlecraft website at the moment but will hopefully be back up and running over the weekend.

Id like to thank everyone who has shown support and caring words towards my son Ben. I can say he’s still a bit bumped and bruised and strapped up but in typical Ben style …….he’s still smiling …..

We are on count down now for the Festival of Quilts which is on Thursday 10th August. The shop will be closed on this day as we are all going to Birmingham.

Lets start with the adults and the free motion embroidery. I had four lovely ladies join me in the sewing studio to master the techniques of free motion sketching. This workshop is extremely popular and books up very quickly so I will be arranging more very soon…..

lots of new stock in recently, Stylecraft Candy Swirl…

New fabric by Robert Kaufman…..

The Butterick half price sale has started and runs until the end of August……. make sure you don’t miss out…

Right let’s get down to the sewing bee, we’ve had pillow pals galore…

Herds of elephants….

Bookmarks….

Neck cushions ……

And finally PJ’s

Ive been busy hand stitching lately, something I’ve not done for a while but I’m finding it very relaxing. Using upcyled, vintage fabrics and lace to make a botanical book……

I’m also getting for my first exhibition with Midlands Textile Forum at Bishops Castle…….not long now…

Thanks for reading, have a fab weekend.

 

Ami

xxx

 

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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

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Colourful, creative and New Stock!!!!!

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Hi everyone,

Its been a couple of weeks since my last blog post. It’s been manic here with lots going on and new stock arriving.

We’ve had a top up of Stylecraft Wondersoft and more colour ways added to the collection…..

We’ve also had the new Stylecraft Candy Swirl but we’ve only had the liquorice colour way in with more to follow very soon…..

Now for fabrics…… we’ve increased the plain selection but also had more bolts of Christmas fabrics in from Robert Kaufman…..

Now for the time for everyone’s favourite part….. The Sewing Bee.

All groups have been very busy.

Monday group have working on their own pillow pals….

My little ladies on a Tuesday have been busy working on brooches and patchwork pj cases….

Saturdays are always busy as I have three groups and our Sue has the crochet group…..

My Saturday groups have been working on owls, bunting, dress making and patchwork….

and last but not least – my new window display.

I’ve got a fantastic new summer window display but I cannot take credit for it. A big thank you to my friends Rachel, Lynette, Darren and my mum. Also a big thank you to my stitchers Mia, Molly and Hollie who took time out of their day to help and design the display …..

Thank you for reading and supporting me, means the world to me.

Ami

xxx

 

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A Mixture Of Everything! Warning Lots Of Pictures

Hi everyone,

This blog post is a mixture of new stock, events and the Sewing Bee, so let’s get started.

Ok so you may remember we were at Sainsbury’s recently as a part of their Street Store event.

Braced with needles, threads and plenty of Suffolk puffs me and my loyal team headed to Sainsbury’s to get young people into sewing and embellishing  clothes.

We had a wonderful time and even recruited a new young man into our Sewing Bee…..

Running on the same weekend it was Derbyshire Open Arts where the shop was turned into a gallery ….

Our monthly Craft & Chat Night took place last week and again filled with a lovely bunch of crafters. They run on the first Thursday of every month 6.00-8.30pm and costs £5 which includes cakes, tea and coffee. If you would like to join us just pop along.

On Monday this week our Sewing Bee group finished their cushions and our newest member joined us…….

The Tuesday group our getting to grips with patchwork which is great for practicing sewing straight lines……

Now time for new stock and I have to confess we have started to have our Christmas fabrics in, plus new patterns and trimmings…..

Don’t forget I also run workshops in various different techniques and you can find them all on the website. Please note there is only one more beginners quilting pencilled in at the moment until Autumn as I’m snowed under with other commitments….

Please see my workshops here

You can also see what I’m up to regards my other commitments by visiting my site https://www.amijamestextileart.com

where you can view my blog, exhibitions and work.

 

Thank you reading and keeping up to date with all of our news.

Ami

xxx

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