I have a few workshops planned for this month, and I’d like to tell you about them here.
Crochet Brooch Workshop
I am looking forward to this workshop on Tuesday 10th July at Two Little Magpies in Beeston, where I will demonstrate and give guidance on the construction of crochet brooches in various designs, ranging from a simple single layer to a more advanced double or triple layered version.
Kitchen Linen Workshops
I have three consecutive weekly workshops planned at Newark Craft Hub, starting on Thursday 12th July, where I will be teaching how to make various kitchen linens. The first week will cover oven gloves, the second pot holders, and the third, bowl cosies. I haven’t taught at this venue before, although they were one of my stockists for a long time, and I understand they now stock Liberty fabrics, so I’ll be hoping not to spend more than I earn on the day!
I am also talking to Hanwell Wine Estate about instituting a crochet workshop there.
Commissions
I have been busy, as always, with customers’ commissions, some straightforward, and some quite unusual! A hessian blind to provide shade for a home office was in the first category, followed by a ‘seaweed costume’ for a school play, which was tricky but fun, and firmly in the second! I am now planning a design for a drinks holster for a customer with a half marathon coming up.
I think these tasks illustrate how varied my job is - I am always learning, and there’s never a dull moment!
Beach Bags
These continue to be popular, and I think the latest Cat fabric product looks great. The poppers obviously need to be secured strongly to the fabric, and their attachment is the subject of this month’s ‘Sally’s Snippet’.
Sally’s Snippet
Quick, secure sewing on of accessories:
I cut two lengths of sewing thread, and fold them in half together, with the 4 cut ends all together at one end. I then thread the cut ends through the eye of a hand-sewing needle, leaving the loops at the other end (where the knot would be). I then sew through the fabric and the hole in the popper, but before pulling all the thread through, I pass the needle through the two end loops, and then pull up as far as possible without distorting the fabric - this secures the end without having to use a knot. I then make 4 stitches through the popper hole, and move on to the next hole.
Because there are 4 threads through the needle, there are now 16 loops of thread through the popper hole, and I’ve only done 4 stitches! This makes a very quick and secure attachment, and I use the same technique for lots of things, like buttons, or hooks, for example, where security is important, but so is speed.
Look out for a video demonstrating this on my Facebook page. ;)
The August Blog will cover messenger bags, curtains, and sewing and crochet lessons. Sally’s Snippet will be about zip stoppers.
In the meantime, have a great July, especially if you are on holiday, and let’s hope the good weather continues for a bit longer!
