September 2014 Newsletter

Even though summer seems to have slipped away on the calendar, the days are still warm, far too nice to be inside sewing, guiltily many of our stitchers are looking forward to the wet and cooler weather so that there is an excuse to sit and sew.

The workshops for September started with Gwen Hartley and her Stitch and Design course, taking a different approach to Textile Art by examining the alternative ways in which a piece can be designed on paper through to the representations of the designs in stitch. There were some amazing results from simple printing using grasses and cow parsley heads. Comfort zones were at stretching point but by the end of the first day everyone had a beautiful design with which to work. There is a waiting list available.

4th October 10-4pm Beginners Free Machine Embroidery with Karen Fanzo
An opportunity to gain confidence in this highly addictive technique and learn how to bring your projects to life.  Your samples will be made into a doorstop.

17th October 10-4 Christmas Bauble. Sue has designed a beautiful beaded bauble that would look stunning adorning your Christmas Tree or it would make a beautiful heirloom present. Kit available.

20th October 10-1pm Computerised Embroidery with Chris Peckham. Mystified by your Computerized Sewing Machine?  Chris will help with threads, stabilizers, placement and resizing. Projects using different techniques. This is an ongoing monthly course.

25th October –  Flowers, Cupcakes & Funwith Karen Fanzo, has some places available. Designed for parents and offspring this is a great way to learn appliqué and simple machine stitching.

30th October – Embellished Watch Strap or Bracelet with the inspirational Sandra Coleridge, a felted and embroidered strap gives a new twist on embellishing, this could also be used as a bookmark or small hanging.

31st October – Christmas Stocking with Zoe Hughes – get ahead with your Christmas decorations a good chance to use up all those scraps of Chrimble fabrics we have brought over the years or buy some of the lovely fresh choice I have in the shop – please note the date has been changed from the 1st November.

Free motion Quilting is fully booked but I will be repeating this popular day in the New Year. MyRag Rug Day is also booked so have added another on the 9th January.

Book Covers with Dee Priest on Sat 21st February 2015.

Colouricious  with Jamie Malden is booked for Saturday 19th June 2015.  Colouricious specialise in Indian Block printing. Check out her website.

Most exciting, I have booked Lynda Monk for two days 21st and 22nd October 2015 with two places already reserved.

Discussions continue with Margaret Beal and her soldering iron also with Angie Hughes a mixed media expert. Both have Websites.

Lewis and Irene fabrics – it was so thrilling to unpack the Honey Meadows range of fabrics, this is versatile and perfect for dressmaking or patchwork with co-ordinating soft blues and browns patterned with bees and flowers.  Bumbleberries have arrived too and are an unusual bubble design of complimentary fabrics.

Also new in Makower Transport a lovely selection of Ice cream Vans, Mini’s, VW’ prints with a lovely coordinating stitch check fabric, pop in and check it out

As well as having the outlet for Janome embellishing machines, Thimblestitch are now able to supply feet and accessories for all Janome machines.  If you would like to try an embellishing machine, I have one in stock.  Also a reminder that we stock the versatile Britannia machine, in a range of prices.
The Christmas Bauble workshop is not the only reminder of Christmas. In addition to our jingling extensive festive Christmas fabrics, we have pre-printed Advent Calendars for easy assembly, complete with instructions, chocolates not included!  If you are stumped for a Christmas gift idea we have the solution with our ever popular Gift Voucher which can be used to purchase fabrics, accessories or reserve a Workshop.
Just to remind everyone, Thimblestitch will be at The Beehive Craft Fair on the 18th October. This has been a huge success with over 50 stalls and many Vendors not getting a table !!! Thimblestitch will still be open for business, there will be a workshop in progress so one of my wonderful assistants will be on hand to help you. If anyone would like a link to a poster for this event, email me.

Our Open Day is to celebrate the first year of Thimblestitch, to invite all of you who have made the success possible on Saturday 22nd November from 10am. Invitations to the Open Day are through this newsletter, we would like you to bring a friend and a small plate of finger food to share. There will be Prizes, Pop and full scale partying to celebrate and we hope that you will join us for the Fun, Food and Fabrics. Make a note in your Diary.  As part of our Open Day we will be exhibiting examples of Workshop Days past, present and future.  I am so proud of all that you have achieved over the past year and want to share this. Please can you let me know what you will be bringing, dimensions etc, ideally with a hanging sleeve, and clearly marked with details of the workshop, your name etc by 22nd October. This includes individual workshops and Work in Progress Days. Do not be shy, we all want to see what everyone else has created. (Unfinished items gratefully welcomed also)
From the 22nd  October I have taken early redundancy, so that I can concentrate on Thimblestitch. There is likely to be changes to opening times and maybe opening days in the future. Exciting times for me but I will keep you all posted.

Zoe