Join us in the run-up to Christmas to get your home ready for this beautiful time of year. At the ‘Christmas housewarming sewing‘ sessions we’ll be sewing fun (or chic if you prefer): fabric wreaths, advent bunting, fabric ball-balls, reindeer head cushions, tea towels, placemats or table runners. Check dates and book a session online to joinContinue reading “Christmas sewing”
Author Archives: sewwhatcafe
Kids Summer Sewing 9+yrs
School is out… Sewing machine classes are both fun and useful. Book Kids Holiday Club sessions online> early as there are only 4 spaces available per session.£40 (for 2 sessions) £60 (for 4 sessions) £80 (for 6 sessions) Kids Holiday Club sessions are sold in pairs, so that all projects started are completed across the 2 days. AllContinue reading “Kids Summer Sewing 9+yrs”
Sewing Bee Series 5
So my mother-in-law gets the TV listings sent to her monthly – she then peruses it with great care and calls me with enthusiasm if she sees anything of interest. So with excitement – I announce that there’s another series of (drumroll) ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ which starts THIS coming Thursday on BBC2 atContinue reading “Sewing Bee Series 5”
Christmas Glitz Swish Event
Ealing Town Hall, W5 Wednesday 26 November 12 – 6.30pm Bring and swap your pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories at this free local event. “Swishing extends the life of clothes and accessories, increasing value for money and reducing the impact of textiles ending up in landfill. According to research, an average of 30% of clothesContinue reading “Christmas Glitz Swish Event”
Beginner sewers – What do I do next?
OK, so if you now know where your machine’s flywheel is and know what a bobbin looks like, how to fill it and where it goes…. and perhaps getting to grips with how to sew a straight-ish line… then you might want to find a few projects that are not too hard and build some confidenceContinue reading “Beginner sewers – What do I do next?”
99-year-old Woman sews a dress a day
Lillian Weber is 99-years-old and makes a dress for a small girl in Africa every single day. By next May 6, when Lillian Weber celebrates her 100th birthday, her tally will reach 1,000 handmade dresses donated. In the past two years she’s finished more than 840 of them. She may use just a single pattern but adornsContinue reading “99-year-old Woman sews a dress a day”
New Sewing Café in Ealing
Sewing Café launch event Saturday 5 July, 11am – 3pm Pop in for a cup of tea with your family to see the café and meet other local sewing bees. We now have space for a new sewing café that has all you need to get away from home chores so that you can get some sewing done orContinue reading “New Sewing Café in Ealing”
The Great British Sewing Bee
It’s here again! Tune in or record The Great British Sewing Bee on BBC2, Tuesdays at 8pm. Fab way to pick up tips and get inspiration. Watch the previous 2 episodes of this series online to catch up and check out their ‘How to‘ section British Sewing Bee Judge May Martin posts videos to share some tips.Continue reading “The Great British Sewing Bee”
Sewing piling up? Get sewing THIS year
Here are some tips to help you to get sewing between chores, after work, whilst your baby sleeps or when that strap breaks! Get your machine out and leave it out. If your machine is easy to get to, then pulling up a chair and getting those trousers hemmed will be more achievable. This willContinue reading “Sewing piling up? Get sewing THIS year”
Santa paid for my sewing classes
Ho ho ho! Why not put a few sewing classes onto your Christmas wish list this year? That way you’ve one New Years resolution already sorted. Choose which new 2014 classes you’d like to attend, then add the booking page URL’s to your wish list for friends & family. Classes are £25 to £35 and a sewing group orContinue reading “Santa paid for my sewing classes”
Get creative: Freehand Machine Embroidery Class
Know how to use your sewing machine but want to get creative? Learn how to do decorative freehand embroidery designs with your sewing machine. Great for card making, gifts picture in a frame, fun appliqué on a dress or pillowcase, customise an old item of clothing with these techniques. So get started: book online – FreehandContinue reading “Get creative: Freehand Machine Embroidery Class”
New dates: Machine Sewing Skills class
Never touched a sewing machine before or a bit rusty and need to get your machine out the loft? Beginners & returners welcome. Machine Sewing Skills class: Tuesday, 16 July 9.30am-12.30pm Thursday, 25 July 9.45am-12.45pm Saturday, 3 August 3pm-6pm Book classes & get details online> Learn how to: thread a sewing machine sew in aContinue reading “New dates: Machine Sewing Skills class”
More machine sewing classes in Ealing
I’m excited to give you a run down of the latest classes.. doing the class timetable right now.. we have small classes of 4-6 people and offer classes on Saturdays, Tuesday & Thursday mornings and weekday evenings for the 2 hour classes. Why not spend the holiday making some beautiful things. Let me know which you’dContinue reading “More machine sewing classes in Ealing”
Buying a sewing machine – points to ponder
Buying a new machine should be fun – after all, you’re excited about all the beautiful things you see yourself making once you have it! But making a decision can be rather daunting. New vs 2nd hand: I find my clients are usually surprised how affordable a new sewing machine is and often consider buying 2ndContinue reading “Buying a sewing machine – points to ponder”
Are you the next Great British Sewing Bee?
Great British Sewing Bee on BBC Two
Spring is on it’s way – or is it? Well, snuggle up in front of the telly with some sewing inspiration on BBC Two – Great British Sewing Bee. Starts this Tuesday evening at 8pm. Get sewing yourself this Saturday 6 April – Supervised Sewing Group – get those projects done (or started!) The Duke of Edinburgh’s awardContinue reading “Great British Sewing Bee on BBC Two”
Get your (sewing) ideas together
I remember clipping pretty things out of magazines since I was in primary school. Beautiful interiors, funky fashion, party ideas – inspiration for almost everything. But now… there’s a way to create electronic mood boards on ‘Pinterest’. Check out my mood boards and why not create your own account and simply ‘pin’ any pretty photos you seeContinue reading “Get your (sewing) ideas together”
Let’s get sewing – it’s almost … Christmas!
Many of you have said that you haven’t sewn for years and would like to get back into it – so I have added a Machine sewing refresher session to the list of classes. Perhaps you could sew new Christmas stockings for the family or even make a few gifts for friends. Here’s a list ofContinue reading “Let’s get sewing – it’s almost … Christmas!”
Refresher session & cushion
Can sew, but not touched your sewing machine in many moons? 3 hours away from the chores – remember how to thread your machine and make a cushion to get you back into the swing of things again. Tea, cake and lots of tips at hand. Book now for Saturday 13 October, 2-5pm @W13 8JE
Road trip! The Knitting and Stitching Show
Why don’t you and a few friends go on a road trip to The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace on 11-14 October, 10am-5.30pm. 4 ‘Mini’ tickets cost £38 for 4 instead of £15 on the door – advanced individual tickets are £12. (Pre-book tickets online before 5 October at noon.) There are heaps of amazing workshopsContinue reading “Road trip! The Knitting and Stitching Show”
Sewtember class dates
Supervised Sewing Groups: Wanna get back into sewing or build confidence working on a project on your own? Bring your own project and machine, I’m around to guide you if you get stuck – and of course there’s tea and cake! Saturdays – 10am-1pm – 3 hour session, £15 @ W13 8JE 1 September, 13Continue reading “Sewtember class dates”
Sign up and win – quick, before you forget
Sign up to my emails (to the right under ‘email subscription‘) and stand a chance to win a free 1 hour sewing class or £15 alterations. I’ll not be in your inbox more than once a week. That way you’ll stay up to date with my latest tips, projects and most importantly the latest class dates and details.Continue reading “Sign up and win – quick, before you forget”
Zips & button holes class: Pull over now a zip up!
Zips & button holes class THIS Saturday 2-4pm – book in now. I simply don’t wear pull overs as much as I wear cardigans and zip up jumpers. So when I saw this pull over I almost didn’t buy it BUT instead, I sliced it open up the centre front and sewed a zip in –Continue reading “Zips & button holes class: Pull over now a zip up!”
Handbag compartmentalisation
Check out group class dates and book or express interest. Classes start this weekend. Classes: Zips & button holes, Cushions and curtains, Alterations, Little girl’s dresses. Here is a quick alteration – handbag compartmentalisation! So this bag was simply a big hole and everything just bundled into a mess at the bottom. Need some dividers here! IContinue reading “Handbag compartmentalisation”
Get your sewing class on!
At last – here’s the list of classes I’ve spoken to you all about. Get your bookings in by email. Supervised Sewing Groups: Wanna get back into sewing or build confidence working on a project on your own? Bring your own project and machine, I’m around to guide you if you get stuck – and of course there’s tea and cake!Continue reading “Get your sewing class on!”
What’s cooking for Jubilee?
Ingredients: 1x Dish cloth (with a fun design or colour) 2-4 meters Ribbon to match1 reel Thread to match Method: Hold the dish cloth to up to your body as you would like the apron to be positioned when finished. Pin the desired positions for the waist ties and measure the desired length. Measure theContinue reading “What’s cooking for Jubilee?”
What a beauty!
Well done Joshny. ‘A’ looks great in her new dress mommy made – especially as this was your first sewing project! Just in time for the spring sun that’s just appeared. Sew on your own project with guidance, advice and a slice of cake at hand – join us for monthly Supervised Sewing Groups inContinue reading “What a beauty!”
Show much craft @ London, Olympia
Demonstrations and workshops for almost anything: bookbinding, jewellery (beaded, wire and fabric), knitting, sewing, felting, embroidery, crochet, papercrafts and more… enjoy! Stitch & Craft show – London Olympia 15th – 18th March 2012 10am – 5.30pm (closes 5pm Sunday) http://www.stitchandcraft.co.uk/
What do you want to learn to sew?
I’m excited as it’s another Supervised Sewing Group tomorrow morning but am wondering what to bake – naughty lemon meringues or beautifully healthy muffins?! I am looking to offer short 2 hour group classes where you learn specific techniques or skills. A bit like pay-as-you-go learn to sew, I guess. These group classes will be £20Continue reading “What do you want to learn to sew?”
Frill making
Check out this easy method of making a strip of your favourite fabric or ribbon into a 3D creation that you can attach to a boring t-shirt or cardi to give it new life. Send me a pic of your creations.
Sewing projects for beginners
Making something you can use or simply something beautiful is very satisfying. But getting half way through a sewing project that is taking A LOT longer than anticipated is horrible – it takes a long time to get the motivation to finish the project or start a new one. So… make sure the project youContinue reading “Sewing projects for beginners”
Cats on doors
I just fell in love with this character I came across in a friends house- look how his tail is wrapped around the door handle(below). He’s really easy to make for yourself or a gift – and would look fab in many different patterned fabrics you probably have around the house. You could even stuffContinue reading “Cats on doors”
Old school, now… skinny-ish!
Transform your wardrobe out of the naughties. Why buy more when you have great sewing projects at home. Make a skirt from an old pair of jeans or make a wide pair of trousers skinny and ‘in’. Check out the web for fab ideas like a T-shirt tote bag or mittens made from an oldContinue reading “Old school, now… skinny-ish!”
From bedroom to dinner table
I am such a hoarder! So I am rather relieved and chuffed when I can upcycle something instead of throw it away. This was a quick job that I managed to get some time to stitch before this old duvet found its way into my cupboard of STUFF waiting to be transformed – some items inContinue reading “From bedroom to dinner table”
Floral up an old T-shirt or cardi
This is a pic of a bought cardi but can easily be replicated on an old cardi or T-shirt – would look great with a pencil skirt this season. Don’t like floral print? Why not try contrasting colours or add a few pearls/ beads. Watch this space for other ideas on how to upcycle yourContinue reading “Floral up an old T-shirt or cardi”
And we’re off… (stitch, stitch, stitch)
Well done to Shilpa for beautifully making a hot water bottle cover as her first sewing project at the first of our Supervised Sewing Groups. If you are not confident sewing on your own and need some guidance or just want to get away from – why not join us for the next Supervised Sewing GroupContinue reading “And we’re off… (stitch, stitch, stitch)”
It’s been a long time…
…but I’ve been busy developing another way to get more confidence in sewing as I find it takes people a while. So you can now join other creative people in a group setting and sew on your own projects with me at hand to advise (whilst feeding you cake). Really experience working on a variety ofContinue reading “It’s been a long time…”
It’s fun to stand at the YMCA…
1st day out
Yay, so I’ve been very busy getting Sewwhat? looking a bit more professional… check out Sewwhat? chilling on the couch before the Easter Fair in Ealing tomorrow. How exciting – sun, shades, jumping castle and hopefully there will be some mums who wanna learn to sew! Sewwhat? chillin’ on the couch before tomorrow’s fair.
Sew what? Learn to sew 
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