It’s my birthday and it’s a big one! I’m having a week away and the shop will be closed until Tuesday 7th September.

Apologies for this mega newsletter.

You may need a week to read and digest.

Enjoy!


Do you, like me, feel powerless to change the world?
To make a tiny, little stand against the global conglomerates and the governments.
Do you feel like an insignificant cog in a massive capitalist machine and there’s nothing you can do about it?
It’s depressing, isn’t it?
And it’s dangerous too.
If we wait for the world to change before we do – it won’t.

We’re on our own.

With respect to Covid and Climate Change – big business doesn’t care about us. And it cares even less about the things we value.

If you, like me, care that many of the world’s small countries could soon be under water and that many of the world’s tropical rainforests will be destroyed – we have to do everything that we can.

Imagine that everyone who cared, did something, anything.

So, we’re going to do something. Something that flies against all conventional business sense.
Instead of pushing and pushing and growing and growing.
We’re going to stop.

We’re going to strike!
Every Friday.
We’ll close the shop.
Every Friday.

What difference will it make?
I don’t know.
But it may make us all think about the fragility of our environment and how precious it is to us.

At the very least – several journeys won’t be made, heating will be saved and we could spend the time and energy we’ve saved, looking into other energy saving measures ( even sewing quilts to keep us warm when we may be tempted to turn on the heating).
At best, we’ll add our voices to the growing throng of people who are demonstrating that they care too.
And maybe, at the forthcoming COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, in November, our esteemed leaders may be encouraged to take bold steps to reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned and work with the scientists to find a better way forward.

 

 


Workshops….

We can’t go back.
I have the impression that many of our friends and customers are waiting for the tide to turn, for the announcement to be made that Covid has gone and we can return to life as it was before.
Well, we’re slowly coming to the conclusion that this isn’t going to happen, – ever.

We really are on our own.
We’ve been sensible and cautious this far and we’ll have to continue in this way.
Our workshops will be small – between 4 and 6 people and our “Sewciable” sessions will be small too.
You will need to book each session, in advance.
I realise that friendship groups were made here and that you may like to book in as a group – that’s understandable.
But remember that we’ll be keeping to those small numbers – so book in.

You’ll also notice that prices have gone up.
They have to.
Like most other small businesses, we have lost a lot of money – despite the government grants- this has gone on so long and we have lost so much income.
Please believe me when I tell you that all other small businesses will be struggling. Please support them as much as you can.

 


Sewciable Sewing.
Bring along your own project and sew with friends.
You pick up tips and techniques that will change your life!
£10/session of 3 hours.  9.30am – 12.30

Wednesday 8.9.21
Thursday   9.9.21
Wednesday 15.9.21
Wednesday 22.9.21
Wednesday 29.9.21
Thursday 30.9.21
Wednesday 6.10.21
Wednesday 13.10.21
Wednesday 20.10.21
Wednesday 27.10.21
Thursday 28.10.21
There may be other sessions available.
If you’d like to come with a friend or two – just ask and we’ll try to fit you in.


 

Embroidery

Please note – this is a one-off workshop and not an on-going group.
In this workshop Kay will teach you the incredibly useful skill of “Silk-Shading”,
otherwise known as Long and Short Stitch.
Kay is an extremely talented embroiderer who will work with you to help you to produce your very best work.
Saturday  2.10.21
10am – 12noon
or 1pm-3pm
£20


Modern Quilting
This is an informal sewing session where people who enjoy Modern Quilting, meet up and sew together.We have planned some 3 hour sessions on Saturday mornings. If demand is sufficient we may have an afternoon session too.
9.30-12.30
Saturday 11.9.21
Saturday 9.10.21
Please book in. Places are limited.
£10


Baltimore
By it’s very nature, this is an on-going group.
Each month Eileen will supply you with a pattern for a block that you will begin
(with her guidance) and then complete at home.
Since we have limited space, we will have smaller groups.
One group will meet in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Anyone wishing to start to make a Baltimore quilt is advised to come to one of these sessions to see what is involved and to then discuss how much fabric you will need to buy ( there’s a lot of background fabric). Please book in.
Saturday 18.9.21
Saturday 16.10.21
9.30am-12.30  OR  1pm – 4pm
£20


Let’s Make a Quilt.

This popular 5 part course will take you through each stage of quilt making, by machine measuring and cutting, piecing, layering, quilting and binding.

Tuesday mornings

10am -12 noon

£80

28.9.21,5.10.21,12.10.21,19.10.21,26.10.21

 


Houses

I love the simplicity of this pretty quilt.

Spend a few hours with me and I’ll teach you to make the house block that makes up this beautiful quilt

Thursday 7th October 2021

10am-2pm

£30


American Piecing

You’ll look at hand sewing in a completely different light.

American piecing is so easy and it allows you to hand sew almost any pattern.

Tuesday 14.9.21  10am – 12noon

OR

Thursday 23.9.21 10am -12noon

£20


Needleturn Applique

In this stress-free workshop, taught by Jayne, try your hand at needle turn sewing.

A great introduction to Baltimore projects.

Give it a go – you may surprise yourself!

Thursday 16.9.21 10am – 12noon

OR

Tuesday 21.9.21   1.30pm – 3.30pm

£20


Foundation Piecing

The technique that never fails.
If you’ve always wanted perfect points
(and who doesn’t?)
this technique is essential.

Eileen Swart is a superb tutor.
She will help you to master this important skill.
You won’t look back.

Wednesday 13th October 2021
1.30 -3.30pm
£20


Get to Know Your Sewing Machine

Have you just dusted off your old sewing machine or have you ventured out to buy a new one?

Why not come along to this stress-free workshop and find out exactly what you and your machine can do?

Saturday 25th September

10am – 12noon

£20

 

 


Free Motion Quilting

A workshop that is incredibly popular.

In this workshop I will introduce you to the principles of free-motion quilting.

You’ll need to bring along your machine with a round quilting (or darning) foot. I’ll provide the fabric.

Wednesday 29th September 2021  1.30-3.30pm

OR

Thursday 28th October 2021 1.30-3.30pm

£25


Design a Quilt Block

Now that you’ve made a hundred quilts, designed by someone else, wouldn’t you like to have the confidence to design your own block?

We’ll go back to school with pencils and paper and maybe a pair of compasses and we’ll experiment with some designs.

It’ll be fun.

Thursday 14th October 2021

10am-12noon

£20


And of course there have been the weddings – two of them.

Two very different but equally beautiful and joyous occasions.

We have been so blessed.

The sun shone.

The brides and grooms were radiant.

And we almost escaped the dreaded Covid!

Unfortunately Dan (our youngest son and the first groom) missed Phil’s wedding having tested +ve the day before the wedding. And then, I succumbed to the virus on returning from Ireland, but we made it!

Photos are in the pipeline..

But I have two, featuring the main players.

Imogen and Dan, Emer and Phil
XX

As you can tell, there’s a lot going on here and a lot to take in.
Understandably, you may think that I’ve lost the plot.
Why would I risk losing a day each week just when we’re trying to get back on our feet?
Well, we have to do something to build a better world for our children and grandchildren.
And we’ll work better and more efficiently on the days that we are open.

To clarify;
No appointments are necessary for the shop – please wear a mask.
Phone or email to book a workshop. 0191 4100868

From Tuesday 7th September
Our opening times will be;
Sunday         closed

Monday        closed
Tuesday        open        9.30am-3.30pm
Wednesday   open        9.30am-3.30pm
Thursday       open        9.30am-3.30pm
Friday            closed      STRIKE
Saturday        open        9.30am – 12.30pm

I hope you’re with me.
Best wishes,
Hilary xx

If you’d like to enquire about one of our workshops or classes or if you just want more information about our shop, please contact us.