Hand Embroidery for beginners.

Hand Embroidery seems to be making a huge resurgence at the moment.  Everyone seems to want to have a go at it.... and why not?

A little while ago I was given a large amount of embroidery threads - I made a donation to Charity for them, but I also wanted to give something back to the community, so I arranged a free-of-charge hand-embroidery class.  This happened on our first day back after the Festive season.

The idea was well received and the class was fully booked up quite quickly.

We used a piece of Calico along with a heat-sensitive pen to draw our own patterns on. The pen lines disappear when ironed so they work really well for planning designs.

There was only three stitches to learn in this class, I much rather people go away with good knowledge of a smaller amount, than lots of information that boggles their brain and they cannot continue at home.
We learnt Leaf Stitch, Flower Stitch and Chain Stitch.  Enough stitches to make a bunch of flowers and leaves.  (they also took some threads and a needle away so they could finish off their work in their own time).

Even though all the attendees were given exactly the same choice of colours, and the same tuition, the results were completely unique.  And the work looks so different once the pen marks are ironed off.

I think everyone enjoyed their class, some people even asked for a follow on class to learn more stitches, which is exactly what I want to hear  :)

Thanks for coming if you did, your support to The Shed is appreciated.
And if you fancy a class yourself, check out the website to see what is on.....

www.soozintheshed.co.uk/store/

FREE - Crochet Flower Class at Hobbycraft, Carlisle

Yep, your read that correctly, I am offering up a FREE crochet flower class.

Let me explain...

A lady I know, Sheila Metcalfe, is hosting a fund raising event this year at Yarndale for the Alzheimers Society.  She is planning to wow visitors with a huge 'colour-wash' flower display within the event.

You can read the blog post all about it here... Flowers For Memories.

So, to do my bit, this is what I am planning to do.  Hold a FREE crochet flower class.

It would be beneficial for attendees to have a little crochet knowledge - just the most basic stitch will suffice, as I am planning to have as many as possible attend so we can make LOADS of flowers.

I will provide all the yarn to make the flowers and lend you a hook, free of charge.

You will have to leave the lovely flowers you make so I can send them off to Sheila, but you can, if you wish, buy a pack with a crochet hook, some yarn and printed tutorials to take home so you can make your own after the class for just £2.00.  (certainly no obligation, please see below)

The class will be on Tuesday 28th July, 2015 - from 3.00-5.00pm.   

There are limited places on this free class (12)  so I am going to ask for a £2.00 deposit to secure your place.  You can choose to have this £2.00 refunded at the class or take the pack with yarn, crochet hook and print-outs so you can make some flowers for yourself at home afterwards.

I have added an 'event' to my Facebook page, please feel free to join it and share  :)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1580890782131590/

Free Machine Embroidery - a cushion workshop

On Saturday I attended a "Free Machine Embroidery" workshop at Fun2Do in Carlisle, taken by Anni Hamer.

Not 'Free' as in free cost, but 'Free' as in no feed dogs on the machine so the material ran freely  :)

We started off with a practise piece of linen in a hoop and just went.  

It was really quite a tricky think to get the hang off, I wanted to keep lifting the foot to turn a corner, but you really just put your foot down and let it flow.

So I did, I just scribbled away with the needle and thread and ended up with this  :)

After the practise session it was time to make a cushion - scary stuff!!

We started with the grassy part, we could make it as jaggedy or smooth as we liked.  It was appliqued onto the linen and we started to embroider around it.

Bit wobbly, but it all adds to the hand-made charm, don't you think?

Then it was time for the rest of the componants.  A house, with windows, a door and a mini door knocker, trees, clouds and even washing on the line.

They were all appliqued in place before being sewn.

Too excited to stop for lunch, so we had scone and tea, provided by Fun2Do.

And one of my most favourite things, a mallow tea-cake, as Anni had read on my Twitter that I like them  :)  I certainly do!

After sewing all the pieces in place it was time for some writing.  I chose to make the cushion into a birth sampler for Hope, so I popped her name on with her date-of-birth and birth weight.   It was drawn on with a friction pen which disappeared when ironed.

Then it was time to add the patterned panels at the side, the back and the zip. 

Voilà!  a cushion cover.  And I have to say, I am thrilled with it.

Just to buy a cushion pad for it now  :)

FREE beginners Patchwork class, in Carlisle

Yep, you read the title correctly - FREE beginners patchwork class.

Ahh, but there is a little catch......... read on to find out.

Once upon a time, a good few years ago, I was a parent of three young children.  Money was tight, times were hard, I couldn't afford to buy nice things and go places - there was just enough money to put food on the table and gas in the meter to cook the food with.   But I don't need violins or sympathy as I certainly was not alone way back then.

But even now, 20 years later, folk are still struggling in the same way.  People having to go to food banks to make sure their kids are fed.  It must be demoralising and embarrassing.

I've done a little, I have donated to food banks, popped pennies in charity tins, blah blah blah....  It helps to feed, but what about the soul?   What about lifting peoples spirits so that they feel better about themselves or their situation.  What about teaching them a hobby, something that they can do to take their minds of things once the nippers are in bed, or even a skill they could use to make and sell items to better their situation?

So that is what I have decided to do.

In February I am going to open up one of my more popular classes for FREE.  The class is beginners patchwork.

The reason I picked this class is because you don't need to buy tools or specialist equipment and materials.  You can use the skills to up-cycle, renew old clothing and make gorgeous new items out of donated fabrics.

The art of patchwork can be used to make cushions, blankets, appliqué and soft toys, which, of course, can then be sold, gifted or kept.

So, the rules.   I am going to offer TWELVE places, totally free of any charge.

This is quite a difficult one to regulate I guess, as I am certainly not going to be checking people's bank statements to see if they should be attending or not, so what I really want you to do is to check your own conscience.

If you can afford false nails, a bottle of wine in front of Sky TV, or the odd take-away pizza, then this freebie class is not for you.   If, however, you have no spare money left at the end of the day/week/month.  If you go without so that your kid's can have, then this IS on offer to you.

I do not need reasons, nor will I ask for any, if you are happy with your application, then I am happy to consider you.

I can only take 12 people, if there are more than 12 applications then it will go into a Random Name Generator so everyone gets an equal, fair, chance.  You will be notified either way by email.

The class will be held on Tuesday 10th February, from 10.30am-12.30pm, in Hobbycraft, Carlisle.  Junction 44 of the M6.  (This is a class held by myself, using Hobbycraft as a workshop space, it is not run or endorsed by Hobbycraft)
Unfortunately there is no provision for child-care, but I have put it on during school hours so hopefully it will be easy for attendees to arrange a babysitter if necessary.

The workshop will included all materials, and you will get a little pack to take away with you so you can continue at home.   All you need to bring is yourself  (and specs, if you wear them).

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not take a place if you are not attending, someone else can use that place.

So, how do you apply, I hear you ask?   Simply send me an email at soozintheshed@gmail.com with your name and a reason why you fancy learning patchwork, I will email you straight back to let you know I have received your request and when the names will be announced.  Of course, you can always nominate someone you think might benefit from this class if you wish.

No names will be mentioned on here or any social networking site.  All correspondence will be made directly.  Everybody who attends should be all in the same boat, so it is a good opportunity to meet people in similar situations too   :)

Good luck with your application.

Learn to Crochet - January 2015 - Hobbycraft, Carlisle.

I am holding a "Learn To Crochet" course this January in Hobbycraft, Carlisle.

It will be held over three weeks, (three x 2 hour classes) and will cover all the basics - chain, double, treble, granny squares and understanding a pattern.

I feel it is always easier to learn when you can see something done and copy, also the opportunity to ask questions can be invaluable.

So, why not treat yourself and come along.  There are only a few spaces left at the time of posting this, so you have to be quick  :)

Deposits are required, sadly because some folk book the spaces, fail to attend and someone else who was waiting misses out.  :(

The times and dates are:

• Thursday 15th January 2015 - 5.30pm-7.30pm
• Thursday 22nd January 2015 - 5.30pm-7.30pm
• Thursday 29th January 2015 - 5.30pm-7.30pm.

The price is £25.00 for this course, for all three weeks.  It includes a different sized hook to take away with you each week and some yarn to practise with.

You can pay your deposit by popping into Hobbycraft in Carlisle and paying, in cash, at the till point (it doesn't go through their till system so you cannot use a card I am afraid)  Or, alternatively you can pay online using Paypal, or a card  (you don't need a Paypal account) if you click HERE.

It would be nice to meet you if you decide to come along and join us  :)

Learning to use a sewing machine workshop

A couple of days ago I ran a second "Learn to use a Sewing Machine" workshop.

This lass is aimed at people that have already got a sewing machine, but are not quite sure what to do with it, or for those thinking of purchasing their first one.

The class was held at Hobbycraft in Carlisle,  I take my own entry level Singer machine and I 'borrow' an entry level Brother machine too, so students can see how each are similar, or differ.   Both have a different way of threading and popping in the bobbin, so it is good to try variations when considering purchasing.

So, what we do in the workshop is we thread up a bobbin with chose thread colour, learn how to put it in the machine, thread up the machine, then run a few stitches up on a piece of material.

Students then get a little "play time" where they can try out the various stitches that the entry level machines offer  (it's quite a good selection).

We then move onto actually making something - a pin cushion.   I do like people do take away a finished product, if possible, after a class, rather than just a row of stitches on a piece of fabric.

Didn't they do fantastically?

If you fancy having a go at this class, I will be doing another one in November, look out for the November class list - coming soon  :)

Launching my "Kid's Club" activities

This August I am going to be trialling a new set of craft classes - aimed at Children and Young People.

They will be held in Hobbycraft, in Carlisle and will be drop-in sessions, although you can of course book your place if you want it to be held for you.  Please click on the links in the descriptions for details of dates and times.

I am going to be doing some French Knitting on a Dolly Spool - the price for this is £6.00, but it does include the Dolly and needle to take away with each child so they can continue in their own time.   Do you remember French Knitting?  I used to make miles of knitted tube when I was young, then coil them into coasters and table mats.

Also I will be doing a Pom Pom Owl session.  Using a pom-pom maker  (otherwise they would take hours and hours!!) the young folk will make a two coloured pom pom then attach felt pieces to make beaks, wings and eyes.  This class will be £2.00 per owl.

Dragonfly Pegs - are these not just too colourful and cute?   I will offer different levels of artwork for the wings, so that they will suit different ages and abilities.  Prices are £1.00 per Dragonfly. (Or Butterfly)

Perhaps for the older children, this is a cross-stitch bookmark.  Made on a large count Aida fabric with coloured threads, it can be as complex or a simple as the child chooses. Of course, if they find they love cross-stitch there are a whole host of designs they could take on - a lovely little hobby for a youngster.  £2.00 per bookmark.

Or what about a pin cushion?  Or maybe I should rename that "pin-pie" as it looks more like a pie, don't you think?  Blanket stitched felt, stuffed, then adorned with a button.  £2.00 per pincushion.

A "paperclip necklace" - a cluster of paperclips made into a necklace might be fun to do.  Each paperclip is wrapped in sticky-backed plastic then attached in a chain and cluster.  This one will keep little hands busy for a while.  £2.00 per necklace.

For the older young person I am offering a crochet class for teens - working at their own pace we will work through the popular stitches and even go on to make a Granny Square.  £10.00 which includes a two hour class, hook and yarn to take away.  Or, if you bring a friend you can have two people for £15.00.

What about these beaded bangles?  If a person can thread a bead, they came make one of these.  Colourful and great for the summer.  Just £2.00 per bangle.

Then there are Shrink Plastic Keyrings.  Come along and colour in some magic plastic stuff, which will then be popped into an oven to shrink down into a hard sturdy little charm which will then be attached to a keyring.  £1.00 per keyring.

And last, but not least, I am offering a mini rag rug workshop.   Bring some old clean clothes and make yourself a mini rug for your room.   Just £2.00 per person.  The rug will need to be finished off at home as they can take quite a while to make.

Really looking forward to these classes, I hope they will be lots of fun  :)  Maybe I will see you there?