Happy New Year

Wowsers!  It's 2013!  Let's see if this year I can manage to keep The Sewing Shop blog a little more regularly updated.  Short but sweet is going to be the way forward I think.  Little and often maybe...?  So let's start as we mean to go on.
To start the New Year we have a series of new events for your delectation. 

Knit and Natter is back!!! 

Bigger and better than ever.  OK maybe I'm getting a tad carried away but there is one BIG change in that the sessions will now be run in the evening and not the daytime. 

From 7.00 until 9.00pm to suit all those who work or have childcare difficulties in the daytime. 

The new session will be starting on Tuesday 29th January and continuing on the last Tuesday of every month thereafter.  We can't wait.

 

What's Been Going On..?

It really is 3 months since I last wrote a blog post!!!  I can't believe it.  Huge apologies but we've been so incredibly busy as more customers have discovered The Sewing Shop...  No bad thing but it has meant that our  plans to dominate the wonderful worldwide web have faltered somewhat.
But now all that can be rectified as I have a lovely little laptop.   So I can sit in the bosom of my family in the evenings and post on the interweb, rather than sit on my own in the cold and lonely back room tethered to the desk top PC.

But enough waffle. 

Enough apologising.

What has been going on in those 3 months, you ask?

Well we've got more stock.  Much more stock! 

Our two shelves of cotton fabrics have now expanded to five, with designs from Michael Miller and Riley Blake amongst the many beautiful bolts. 

Cupcakes and Polka Dots

We have many more colours, textures and weights of Stylecraft and King Cole knitting yarn and fabulous patterns from both companies. 

We have just take delivery of the amazing Hooked Zpagetti.  A new European craze for lovers of knitting and crochet on a BIG scale (more about this in the next day or two). 

Our range of ribbons is growing all the time.  We now have grosgrain, patterned, spotted, striped, sheer, floral and patriotic as well as the standard double faced satin. 

We have some gorgeous patterned bias bindings - great for making bunting or edging hemlines, placemats, curtains, etc.  Some even have a lacey edge.

Our workshops have been going great guns.  We have now added various fabric techniques to the range of crochet classes we offer.  Our Simple Applique Cushion Cover has been very popular and bunting is not just for the Jubilee so you can still come and learn to make this cutie.

We post details of all of our workshops on our Facebook page and, in future we'll keep the website updated more regularly, so they'll be listed on there too.

So that's a very quick catch up.  Over the coming days, weeks and months we'll bring you more regular updates of what's going on in the world of The Sewing Shop.

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New Workshops - bookings being taken.

Here we go.  GFor your delectation, may we present our workshops - both crochet and fabric techniques - for the next few weeks.  More will be added as we create them/they evolve/demand dictates.  If you would like to attend any of these but daytime is no good for you then please let us know which class you are interested in and when you would prefer it to be held.

 

If you would like to book a place on any of these classes then please email (lichfieldsewingshop@gmail.com), inbox us through Facebook or ring the shop on 01543 253780.

 

Fabric Bunting.

 

Date: Tuesday, 3rd April or Wednesday 11th April 2012

Time:  13:00 until 15:00

Just in time for the Summer of Celebrations, learn how to make 5 bunting flags. Choose one of our fabulous patchwork fabrics and a complimentary bias binding to make a gorgeous decoration for your home or garden. Included in the £20.00 cost is a fat quarter of cotton patchwork fabric, a metre of bias binding, use of our sewing machines, threads, etc. and of course tea/coffee and cake!

Crochet Heart Bunting

 

Date: Wednesday, 4th April 2012

Time:  13:00 until 15:00

If you have learnt the basic crochet stitches we will now teach you to increase and decrease, creating some lovely little heart shaped motifs (see photo above). These can be strung together to make a garland, stitched together and stuffed to make hanging decorations or left singly and used as coasters. Very versatile and very addictive to make.A 4mm crochet hook and ball of Stylecraft Special DK yarn are included in the £16.00 price.

Crocheted Granny Square

 

Date:  Tuesday, 10th April 2012

Time:  13:00 until 15:00 

The classic crocheted square that everybody knows and loves. Learn how to make this little gem and you'll be creating your first afghan/blanket before you know it.A 4mm hook and ball of Special DK yarn plus tea/coffee and cake are included in the price of £16.00.

Crocheted Triangle Bunting

Date:  Tuesday, 17th April 2012

Time:  13:00 until 15:00

You've seen it hanging in the shop, now have a go at making your very own crotched bunting. A slightly different twist on the fabric flags which would be fabulous worked in red, white and blue for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations or any other colour scheme to suit your home décor. Includes increasing and decreasing techniques so more suited to those with a grasp of the basic crochet stitches.  A 4mm hook and ball of Special DK yarn are included in your fee.  Cost £16.00.

Beginners Machine Patchwork Panel

Date:  Wednesday, 18th April or Tuesday 24th April 2012

Time:  13:00 until 15:00

In this class we will take the terror out of using a rotary cutter to cut fabric squares. We will then piece them together on the sewing machine (or by hand if preferred)to create a patchwork cushion front. We will then look at the different methods of quilting and finis...hing a quilt. If there is time we will begin to stitch our “quilt sandwich”. This can then be completed at home. In a future workshop we will cover how to create a simple envelope cushion using this panel. All fabrics, wadding and threads used on the class are included in the cost.  Cost - £20.00

Absolute Beginners Crochet Class

 

Date:  Wednesday, 25th April 2012

Time:  13:00 until 15:00

(As 28th March) Once you have mastered how to hold the hook and yarn (no mean feat in itself!), you will learn how to create a basic foundation chain plus double and treble stitches. Crochet is totally addictive. Once you have mastered these basics you will be hooked!! A 4mm crochet hook and a ball of Stylecraft Special DK yarn are included in the cost of the class. Cost £16.00

Crocheted Flower Workshop

Date:  Tuesday, 1st or Wednesday 9th May 2012

Time:  13:00 until 15:00

In this session we will show you how to create a crocheted flower using double crochet, half trebles and trebles. This can be finished off with a brooch back to make an individual accessory, applied to a cushion or you can make a series of flowers and join them to make a scarf. Once you've made one you will be covering everything in yarn flowers! A 4mm crochet hook plus all yarns used on the day are included in the cost.Cost - £12.00

Folk Art House Applique Picture

 

Date:  Wednesday, 2nd or Tuesday 8th May 2012

Time:  13:00 until 15:00

Create a one-off folk art picture of your own or an imagined house. We will be using fusible web to apply fabric scraps and embellishing with lace, ribbons, hand embroidery stitches and buttons. Included in the cost are an 8” embroidery hoop, calico base fabric, all fabric scraps and trims used on the day, plus tea/coffee and cake. Cost £20.00

So there you have it.  We hope there is something to tickle your fancy in that little list.  If you have a technique that your desperately want to learn then please let us know and we will do our best to include it in our next block.

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9 Weeks Old!

Well it's a whole 9 weeks since we opened our lovely little shop and things have certainly changed somewhat.  I'll post some more up to date photos once I get into the shop armed with my camera, but for now here are a few pictures from the talented lens of Andy at Peacock Pix.  We just love them.

We have much more new stock to tempt you:- embroidery, haberdashery, yarn, fabrics...

We have a new series of workshops planned including fabric bunting, patchwork and applique.

And of course we still have our friendly welcome and the kettle is on!

 ttfn xx

New Baby is Born

Well ladies and gentlemen.  First there was The Sewing Shop - a stitchy, knitty, hooky haven in the centre of picturesque Lichfield.  And now - for those of you who don't live nearby or for those cold, snowed-in days when you can't get to visit in person - there is The Sewing Shop Online!!  Yay!!

Please pop over and have a look by clicking on the link above.  For now there is lots of information about what we do and what we sell, and very soon there will be more lovely photos and online shopping so you can make mail order purchases and receive a little bit of The Sewing Shop delivered to your door.

We can already take orders over the phone if you wish to pay by card and they will be posted out to you the same day.

There is a new blog attached to the website which we will be using from now on, so this one will go on hold.  Please follow the link to the new one and follow our news and exploits there.

Right.  I'm off to take some new photos of the shop.

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Hooking and hexies and pixies

So at long last we've managed to get going with our workshops.  The spare time we thought we'd have during the day has not materialised as we have been so busy.  It's incredible just how busy we have been 0 but brilliant nonetheless.  :o)

On Monday we had a Crafty Coffee Morning - coffee, cake and a bit of crochet.  Heavenly.  The ladies who came and paid their fivers had a lovely time, as did we.  It was the first bit of crafting Sandra or I have done in months.  These drop-in sessions will take place every Monday morning.  Bring along you own knitting or hooky project, or come and start a new one.  We'll provide the tea (or coffee), the cake and a chance to work and chat with group of friendly crafters.

We can now give you details of our first couple of workshops - hopefully the first of many.
On Tuesday 8th February (that's this coming Tuesday), we'll be covering traditional hand-pieced hexagon patchwork.  Those of you who either don't fancy using or a machine or prefer the idea of some genteel hand work will love this class.  Two hours of cutting papers and fabric and stitching them together to create a pincushion, a gadget cover or the beginnings of a whole quilt!  From 2.00pm until 4.00pm, the workshop costs £16.00 and includes all materials used in the session plus tea/coffee and cake!!  If you are interested please give us a call on 01543 253780 or email us.

Workshop Number 2 is Total Beginners Crochet.  Learn ALL of the basics from how to hold your hook and yarn to creating a slip stitch, a foundation chain and progressing to single, double and treble crochet stitches.  By the end of the 3 hour session your should have 3 little sample squares which could form the basis of so many projects.
The class is on Wednesday 9th February from 1.00pm til 4.00pm and costs £24.00.  This includes a hook and ball of yarn and yummy refreshments.

If you'd like to sign up (and there are only 4 places left as I type) please see above for our phone number.

There are more workshops being planned all the time.  We've had requests for simple cushion covers, machine patchwork, intermediate crochet, bag making, free motion embroidery, applique and childrens sessions especially during school holidays many more so watch this space for more details.

And don't forget all the other items we stock and can gladly send to you buy mail order.  A "proper" website is under construction which will have a mail order shop facility but we are able to take card payments over the phone and send anything to you through the post.

Local people - remember we are the only place in Lichfield that offers sewing machine servicing and repairs.

Eek!  Time to go and open up!

ttfn

xx

One week on.

Well what a week it's been at The Sewing Shop.  The people of Lichfield (and beyond) have flooded back through the doors and welcomed us with open arms.  The response has been quite overwhelming.  They've loved our refurb.  They've loved our stock.  They've just loved the fact that there is once more a shop in the city selling yarn, fabric and haberdashery.

We've had so many deliveries this week.  We now have Pfaff sewing machines in stock.  The Hobby 1132 is a great little workshorse of a machine.  Can't wait to have a play with it and we already have one very interested customer.  :)

The stands of Gutermann thread arrived from Germany.  Hooray and well done Tina, our rep, for getting them here so quickly for us.  The rainbow of colours by the front door look gorgeous.

And we've already had our second delivery of yarn from Stylecraft!  After the first weekend we needed to re-order.  The squidgy big 400g balls of Aran with Wool have just flown and our other rainbow wall - the Special DK - has been rapidly depleted.  Order number 3 will be going off to Stylecraft HQ early next week.

For those existing Attic 24 fans amongst you (and those about to be converted after clicking on the link), we've been asked about "Lucy packs".  We have all but 3 of the shades Lucy used in her Granny Stripe Blanket and we'll be getting those in very soon.  If you would like a pack of all 17 shades of scrumptious yarn then get in touch by email or through our Facebook page.  We can post them out to you for £35.00 and free postage and packing.

Apologies for the lack of photos.  We've been so busy we've not had time to take any.  I'll try to add some in the next day or so.  However, this week a friend is (hopefully) coming to take some gorgeous professional ones.  Andy (of Peacock Pix) takes the most amazing photos and we can't wait to see what magic he can create with our little shop.

Right.  I must now get back to the head-scratching task of planning workshops.  We're planning to offer crochet, knitting, patchwork and quilting and all manner of other textile and yarn related classes, but trying to work out the what, when and how is no small task.  We'll let you know just ask soon as we have them all sorted.

To kick things off Monday morning is going to see the start of Crafty Coffee Mornings.  If you've got that Monday morning feeling and getting everyone off to work and school has left you feeling frazzled, pop down for a cuppa and a cake and a bit of crochet therapy.  Hook, yarn, instruction and inspiration as well as coffee and cake are all included in the £5.  A nice way to chill out with lovely new crafty friends.  Hope to see you there.

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