Stockings

I'm not really a crafty girl but when George from POTS OF ART suggested I do a sewing workshop at his craft and pottery shop I new I needed to do something with as little sewing machine use as possible as A. I dont own a whole slew of machines and B. to make it as easy as possible for anyone wanting to 'just have a go'.
So I had to try and wake up the craft side of my brain, not as easy as you think. Im more of a structure and design head than craft and as such I have HUGE admiration for those who have endless imagination for crafting. It was a toss up between bag making and stocking making and lets face it xmas wins hands down every time, unless your my friend Liza who heads for the hills at the first jingle of bells! So, while blog cruising I saw a lovely felt leaf wreath posted over at PEARL SOHO. I thought something like this would look lovely on an elegant ladies boot style stocking, And be relatively easy for people to do. Then I saw the snow flakes and I was a gonna. Ive seen snow flakes like this before in ikea and the like as xmas tree decorations but I think its the way they present and photograph there work that makes it so fresh. Its well worth a visit if you havent already as the girls over at Pearl Soho in new york have a wealth of inspiration on all things crafty with a heavy bent on knitting obviously. I cant knit but love all things related regardless. One day i will teach my self to knit the perfect autumn dress, just snug enough to be flattering but with enough detail to be forgiving of the minced pies that are yet to be concealed within the person inside it! Any way, back to the stockings.... Felt is an obvious choice when it comes to easy sewing or crafting as it is a one cut solution with no finishing, but like a good man a good felt is hard to find and it comes at quite a price. There is no end to the cheap synthetic stuff that will send shivers up your spine when you handle it but the good stuff is a bit price prohibitive when your using it for a workshop and trying to keep cost down for everyone. After much searching I have found a really nice feeling wool mix felt that wont break a whole in any ones pocket. And for those who want to use cottons I found good handling cotton in lovely colours, purple, deep pinks, lime, snow white, greens etc...I really hope you like them and fancy having a go at making one your self.. like I said my craft brain is tiny and these are still in the working out faze but here is my take on the xmas stocking, one for the ladies, one for the fellas and one for the sprogs.....

ONE FOR THE LADIES
























ONE FOR THE LADS







ONE FOR THE SPROGS

WORKSHOP DATES

Hello all,

re workshop dates, thank you to everyone who has emailed for workshops. As ever date scheduling is the biggest hurdle. So all I can say is if you like the look of the workshop, register your interest by email and I will do my best to schedule an alternative one. Thats all folks!

STITCHIN KITCHEN AUTUMN WORKSHOPS

Hi, here are the Stitchin Kitchen sewing workshop choices for this autumn.

I'm hoping there is something there for everyone. For the novice or new beginner there is the learn to sew and cushion workshop. In Learn to Sew we will go through every thing you need to know to get you started and give you the confidence to tackle something on your own. You get a great starter pack with mini fabric samples of seams, finishes, diff ways to hem, samples of zips, binding and piping , all with written and easy to follow diagrams so when you need to remind yourself how somethings done its all there in your pack! You will get to make a tote bag in designer canvas from scratch using the information you learnt earlier in the day. Use it to carry all your lovely sewing projects around, or chocolate, no judging going on here!

In the Cushion workshop we will go over the basics of sewing before we get to sew a soft and plump cushion cover. You will learn how to make and attach piping, insert a concealed zip or make button holes. And you will be shown a neat 'no button hole' button hole method. With any left over fabric you can make covered stud buttons or flower stacks for decoration.

For the beginner who knows how to sew in a straight line and wants to tackle something more there is a choice of three workshops. Little girls dress, Skirt, Handbag.
In each of these you will be guided through all the stages needed. From steaming your fabric to laying, cutting and fusing it. Reading your pattern and sewing it all together in the easiest order. Each workshop uses an original card pattern that is easily reusable. For those who want to make there own clothes the Skirt workshop will demystify the process of making your own pattern to get a really good fit. In turn you will see how you can alter any existing clothes you have that don't quite fit right any more... we've all got some of those!
Each workshop gives you the option to buy your fabric and any hardware needed on the day or to bring your own that you have been itching to use.

What to expect at a Stitchin Kitchen Workshop:

The workshops are all held in garden studio in Hitchin.
Workshops here are a very relaxed affair! The emphasis is on having fun and enjoying yourself while learning something new and sharpening up old skills. Gaining confidence with like minded gals to make all the things you want to. Its always most fun when the class is full so there is lots of lovely banter and there is always something new to learn from each other. The studio is small with lots of lovely natural light to work well in and the class numbers are kept small so everyone gets to have as much attention as possible.

To sign up for a workshop either call Nicola on 07821319131 or email poboxnicola@hotmail.com with your preferred workshop and date. Or book using the drop down menu above which will automatically secure you a place. Please make sure when you do this to also send an email. Thanks!

LEARN TO SEW WORKSHOP

Novice
4 hour workshop
4 places
£65 all incl

Learn how to thread your machine, lay and cut fabric & read patterns. You will learn all the basic stitches and seams and make yourself a classic Tote bag great for carrying everyday bits and bobs. Includes a starter booklet packed with written and illustrated instructions on seams, hems, zips, etc. All you need to turn yourself into a domestic goddess..

Saturday October 2nd. From 10 - 2 pm 4 places available
Sunday October 3rd. From 10 - 2pm 4 places available

CUSHION WORKSHOP

Beginner
3 hour workshop
5 places
Pattern, pad, zip, buttons included
Bring your own fabric or buy on the day
£49

For those just beyond novice level. We will go over all the basics including winding bobbins and threading machines. You will cut and make a beautiful cushion cover learning how to insert a concealed zip, button holes and pipe edges. Choose from a range of different shape and size cushion pads.

Saturday 25th September. From 10 - 1pm
Sunday 26th September. From 10 - 1pm

LITTLE GIRLS DRESS WORKSHOP

Beginner level
3 hour workshop
4 places
Designer pattern included
Bring your own fabric or buy on the day
£49

For those who already know how to use a machine but have not had the confidence to actually make something! This class will go over all the basic sewing skills you need to cut and make an essential little girls dress. You will learn how to use bias to finish seams and this little number has a changeable 'collar' so you can create different looks.


Sunday October 10th. From 10 - 1pm
Sunday October 17th. From 10 - pm



BAG WORKSHOP

Beginner
3 hour workshop

6 places
Designer pattern included
Bring your own fabric or buy on the day
£56

Bags, bags, bags!! come and make a fabulous mid size handbag in designer printed fabric or mock leather, with internal pockets & key strap. Big enough to carry a book, gloves, purse, cardi, and all your essential bits and bobs!

Sunday October 24th. From 10 -1pm
Sunday October 31st. From 10 - 1pm

SKIRT WORKSHOP

intermediate level
Part one : 2 1\2 hour workshop £28
Part two : 2 1\2 hour workshop £28
4 places
Pattern card included
You can bring your own fabric or buy on the day.

Come and make yourself the perfect fitting skirt in a two part workshop. Choose to do one or both parts.

Part 1 involves taking measurements, pattern making and mocking up your skirt in muslin to get a perfect fit. You will learn to take your own measurements and create a personal size chart. From this you will be shown how to make a straight or A line skirt pattern.

Part 2 takes you through laying, pinning & cutting your fabric then sewing seams, inserting a zip and lining your skirt in your chosen fabric.

Part one : Saturday October 9th. From 11 - 1.30pm
Part two :Sunday October 16th. From 11 - 1.30pm

Part one : Saturday October 23rd. From 11 - 1.30pm
Part two : Saturday October 30th. From 11 - 1.30pm