www.simplyneedlecraft.com - 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 https://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/by Simply Needlecraft

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

https://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

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

Ami James - Textile Artist, behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, Christmas, Fabric, in the haberdashery, New Stock, sewing studio, Workshop and classes, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

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

9th June 2017/by Ami Porter

Ami James - Textile Artist, children's sewing bee, News, sewing studio, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

Creative Record Breaking …….

Hi everyone,

Its been a record breaking week for the sewing studio. 30 little stitchers (plus 12 more this Saturday) and 14 adults have been to learn new skills.

The stitchers entering the Quilting Festival this year have started to make up their designs that need to be in the theme of ‘free’.

First the younger group are focusing on hot air balloons……

Whilst my older group have picked animals and seasons….

My second group had chance to finish off the scrappy book covers they’ve been working on….

Later on Saturday we had the mother and daughter workshop. The challenge was complete a stitch test and make a cushion in pairs.

Each pair did a fab job and left with new skills and a new cushion….

On Wednesday evening the Sewing Studio opened up for the Textile Art Workshop. Four ladies joined me to learn about free motion and raw edge appliqué to make and design an art canvas….

Please visit the website to see all available dates and bookings.

Its been our anniversary to this week. It’s been three years since we opened our bricks and mortar shop in Swadlincote….

A huge thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way. It’s overwhelming how things have turned out.

Heres to the next three years x

see you soon

Ami

xxx

3rd March 2017/by Ami Porter

behind the scenes, children's sewing bee, Crochet, Customers, Workshop and classes, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

Back in the Swing of Things

Hi everyone,

Happy January!

It might be cold and snowing but we’ve had loads going on here to keep us busy.

So the new shop opened on the 3rd. We had an extremely busy day and lots of customers and little stitchers popping in to say hello. Thank you for the overwhelming response.

With the shop and Sewing Studio up and running,the workshop dates have been released and classes are booking up quickly Click here for up to date classes

That also means the return of our Craft and Chat night. This year we have moved the day so it’s now the first Thursday of every month.

We have a great first night in the new home. There was lots of creativity including knitting, crochet, cross stitch,lace making, sewing and appliqué….along with tea and cakes.

The Crochet workshop also started back and got cracking on learning new patterns and techniques. This class is good for beginners and more advanced.

My first group of little ones started back on Wednesday. The new studio got the thumbs up and we started work and our next project…..not completed yet but here’s the progress

In between all the excitement I started on working on a new technique myself. A textile art collage and quilted over net… not sure if I like it or not at the moment….

All in all a busy start to the year and looks like 2017 is going to be the year of new crafts, hobbies and challenges.

Happy new year to you all.

Keep warm and stay safe.

Ami

XXX

13th January 2017/1 Comment/by Ami Porter

behind the scenes, Christmas, Customers, Fabric, in the haberdashery, New Stock, News, sewing studio, Uncategorized, Workshop and classes, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

We’ve Done It …..We’re Finally In :) (lots of pics)

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’ve had a fantastic Christmas.

We’ve been so so busy over the last few days….packing, moving and unpacking. But it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my hubby, family, friends, loyal customers and little stitchers. It’s been overwhelming to see how many people have given up their time over Christmas.

I’m pleased to say I am now unpacked and settling in. The shops ready for opening day on the 3rd January and my Sewing Studio is all set up, Singers all unpacked and ready for some more creativity….( I can’t wait to get my little switchers back in action).

Ok here comes the pics ….

The Cavalry……

The End Result…..I’m so happy

And The Sewing Studio

There’s also a great selection of Timeless Treasure Cotton fabrics also joined us in time for opening. These are 100% cottons which are beautiful quality and the designs are stunning. Available in fat quarters, half and full metres. …. take a look.

It’s been a fantastic year here. I never imagined that 2016 would be so successful and creative. I would like to thank everyone that has been part of it. I’ve met so many wonderful people, the most amazing talented youngsters.

2017 is set to be even bigger with the shop move, guest tutors, more workshops, Sewing Bee increasing, festival of quilts, Open Arts Derbyshire and even more coursework for me.

I really can’t thank everyone enough.

HAPPY NEW YEAR X

See you next year

Ami

31st December 2016/2 Comments/by Ami Porter

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

Oooops Forgot To Blog…..Lots Going On x

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…

Coursework

Raw Edge appliqué- Tree House

Victorian style Christmas tree decorations

New quilt on the go

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

5th December 2016/by Ami Porter

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

We’re On Count Down !

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

11th November 2016/by Ami Porter

children's sewing bee, Crochet, Customers, Fabric, News, Workshop and classes, www.simplyneedlecraft.com

What a Washout !

Hi Everyone,

Well what a wash out of a week….But not all bad because you’ve downed your gardening tools and reached for your crafts…..hence its been another busy week here.

But with the lack of sun I decided to cut some Christmas Fat Quarters…yep thats right.

Lets show you what else has been happening here….

Our crochet group have been busying away to make these gorgeous tops…

Well done ladies they look great, can’t wait to see you next project.

A new group of ladies joined me on the June’s quilting Course which started this week. First week was all about picking fabrics, using a rotary cutter and mat, setting up sewing machines ready for piecing and joining our strips ready to layout the design…..busy week.

There’s nothing better than having a former student come in with a finished project that she started in class. Lynette joined our Textile Art – Textile Canvas Workshop back in April/May. And finished her canvas at home…..Looks brillaint Lynette, so proud of you..

I’ve not had my crafty mojo much this week but I have managed to make this lil girls summer dress ( I don’t normally dress make )…..

Next some general info for you to keep you informed.

Our Online Summer Sale is on for one more day SEE HERE

We have a few spaces on our children’s Sewing Bee due to new groups forming and a shuffle about. Please contact me ASAP if you are interested.

Also I’m please to announce we will be taking part in this years Sew Saturday in October. Were planning goodie bags, discounts and demonstrations but keep your eyes peeled for more details along the way.

Thats all for this week……Hoping for a dryer week next week :)

Thanks to everyone that follows and reads this blog. I love writing/typing it.

I’ll see you next week

Ami

xxxx

18th June 2016/by Ami Porter

I’m At My Happiest When I’m Creative!

The Past, The Future And Now

My Sewing Studio

A Mixture Of Everything! Warning Lots Of Pictures

Creative Record Breaking …….

Back in the Swing of Things

We’ve Done It …..We’re Finally In :) (lots of pics)

Oooops Forgot To Blog…..Lots Going On x

We’re On Count Down !

What a Washout !

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