Hello again...

Last month we were delighted to host a workshop with Heather Jacks, Winner of the Great British Sewing Bee.

Heather shared with us her knowledge of couture sewing. This is sewing as it should be done – not rushing or under time constraints, using tailors tacks appropriately and hand finishing beautifully.

We had so much fun! Heather is a fabulous raconteur and is full of wickedly funny stories of filming on the Great British Sewing Bee. I had no idea they had to squeeze so many people into that studio to film!

Laughter is mandatory on one of our workshops

"Hello is that the Sewing Helpline?"

What IS my face doing?!

Sewing tales being swapped

People came with a whole range of skills - complete dressmaking novices to those who’d been sewing for years. Everyone found they learnt something and although some projects were too complex to complete in a day confidence had increased to such a degree the ladies that attended felt they could finish on their own.

We all loved Ali's headless Voodoo pin cushion

And of course there was cake!

All in all it was a highly successful day of sewing!

And now Heather is coming back. Yipee!!

A lot of the queries and questions on the day were about trickier fabrics like satin and chiffon so Heather has decided to return to do some specialist Eveningwear Workshops.

We have Saturday 18^th October for a day of couture eveningwear sewing. The aim is not to rush but to learn new skills, so you may not get your project completed but be assured you will learn a huge amount and be able to finish on your own.

And for those who really wish to get to grips and finish a project a WHOLE WEEKEND OF SEWING on the 29^th and 30^th November. (Yes I am clapping in excitement!)

Both workshops are just in time for you to get your party dresses sorted for Christmas and New Year, (I know it’s July but still, I’m planning mine now!)

So even if you don’t live close to us, Stratford is a wonderful place to spend a weekend and there’s lots to see and do for those that don’t sew (do they really exist?)

I hope to see you soon.

Jules x

A Day Off, now that's a rare thing....

Now I know this post is nothing to do with sewing but I just though I would sing the praises of the Homes and Gardens Show at Alscott Park last weekend.

Charlie and I had a rare day off with NO KIDS so thought we would actually “go out” somewhere and be part of humanity rather than bumbling away at home doing more of the same old stuff.

I duly booked our tickets online (it was a bit cheaper that way) and off we toddled.

Alscott Park is just outside Stratford upon Avon and a beautiful setting for the show. We didn’t do too many skids on the rather waterlogged grass when parking and made our way to the entrance marquee.

We had a general wander through and perused the surprisingly high quality of stands before meandering our way to the outside stalls and nurseries.

The wonderful smell of the flowers was intoxicating. And there was even a demonstration marquee showing you how to bake pizza on your BBQ, gutted I missed that one!

We kept a discreet eye on the rather foreboding clouds brewing overhead, making a dash for the tea tent when the heavens opened. And boy did they open! 

The thunder and lighting was spectacular. All conversation was drowned out by the beating of the rain; but the band played on!

Yes I know, but the cream tea beckoned and it would have been rude not too…

Now please don’t forget this is good old Blighty and as soon as the storm had come it passed over and the sun was beaming down upon as all again. Time for another wander around the grounds of the park this time, with a few surprises hidden along the way…

...isn't he handsome...

This came from the Fortnum and Masons Garden at Chelsea a few years ago...

...can you spot the Mermaid?

Charlie is perfectly camouflaged in the Lavender Garden…

Back to the show again and this time we stopped off to make a few purchases…

The Tipsy Tart tempted us with their titivated Gin and Vodka...

...and the Truckle Cheese Co Mature Farmhouse Cheddar just melted in your mouth.  With a Make Your Own Cheese Kit, that’s Christmas sorted.

I have to say the show looked fantastic and the organisation was very slick, including the staff uniforms - denim dungarees, bright yellow T-shirts and land girl headscarves for the ladies. Or maybe that just appealed to the designer in me?

Speaking to some of the traders there the foot-fall could have been higher, but I suppose this was the first show. And a note to the organisers Blooming Marvellous Events would be that the door price was a little steep, £20 on the day to come to the show and grounds. I paid £13 in advance, which I still thought was on the pricey side (but maybe I’m being a bit of a skinflint?)

Having said all that I am really looking forward to next year. Hopefully it will be bigger and better and I will definitely be coming back!

Jules x

It's a GIVEAWAY !

So, to celebrate my new blog 

- because you know, one should always find reason to celebrate something - 

 I'm having a little GIVEAWAY . . . 

yipppee !

How would you like the chance to win one of the lovely Sew Me Something patterns ?
(click on the tab at the top of this page and read all about them)

 And quite possibly I'll pop some other little goodies in the mix too, it's simple . . .

all you have to do is:

1)  Follow my blog (GFC, Bloglovin', email.. the choice is yours);

and 2)  leave me a comment below, making sure I know how to contact you if you win.

See, told you it was easy !

The giveaway will close at midnight (GMT) on Sunday, 27th July 2014 and I'll announce the winner on Monday, 28th July.  

The lucky winner gets to choose between a Beatrice, a Kate or a Viola, and I'm happy to post worldwide.

Thanks for popping by & I'm looking forward to getting to know you.
Good luck !

Jules  x

It's sew me . . .

Ooh, look who's featured in Sew magazine this month . . .

And if you look closely at the little pic on the left at the bottom of the page, that's the lovely Heather Jacks, winner of this year's The Great British Sewing Bee.  

We've already had two fabulous workshops with Heather at the helm, and the good news is . . . she's coming back!

The lovely Heather will be doing a Couture Sewing workshop on Sunday, 10th August  and 7th September, and a fab Evening Wear workshop on Saturday, 18th October.

Just click on the links for further details and if you'd like to join us, book your place asap before it's too late!

Hello out there . . .

We're in the process of updating and adding all the bells & whistles to our fabulous new-look website, so you may have noticed that the link to our blog there has temporarily disappeared from its usual spot.

If you'd pinned or bookmarked one of the tutorials there, fear not, for we'll do our best to transfer them over here to our new bloggy home just as soon as we can.

In the meantime, I hope you'll follow along with all our sewing and crafty adventures here . . .
 just click on one of the options in the side bar: via Google, email or Bloglovin' . . . the choice is yours !