Category Archives: classes

classes

The Great Aussie Sewing Bee – new classes

April 9, 2013 – 4:44 pm

Did you know that over the hills & far away in my home country of Great Britain there is a bit of a sewing boom happening! I have been reliable informed the sales of sewing machines have taken a leap & the world is rediscovering the fun & joy that can be had from drooling over delicious fabrics, motoring away at the sewing machine or simply enjoying the relaxing past time of a bit of hand sewing with a hot cuppa & a good BBC drama.

Prime time television has been taken over by sewing competitions (I don’t actually know if the show ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ is any good as I haven’t seen it) but the point is it seems they have discovered our secret.

I was sent a photo of my 12 year old niece, Tilly  in the UK with her new sewing machine. Along with my sister-in-law & my sister-in-laws sister, she has been busy beavering away making IPad covers & other gorgeous things . . . it makes me shiver with pride & warms the cockles of my heart. . . love that beautiful girl x o x 0 x


Anyhoo . . . we already know how wonderful it is to sew so with all this in mind I have been busy sorting out next terms sewing classes  for Sew-Along with my totally obsessed sewing chum, Jemima and we have got some real treats!

LONE STAR QUILT CLASS

monday mornings or tuesday evenings

We are kicking off the term with our Lone Star quilt that I blogged about last time. A great class for those up to a bit more of a challenge.

to book contact jemima here

 

QUILTING FOR BEGINNERS CLASS

monday mornings or tuesday evenings – running along side the Lone Star Quilt class

We have made plenty of these quilts in class & every single one of them has been stunning. If you are new to patchwork then our class to teach you a classic disappearing nine patch is perfect to to learn all the basic skills of cutting, stitching & piecing

to book contact jemima here

 

ROUND CUSHION STACK

monday mornings or tuesday evenings

We are forever being asked to repeat this class so here it is. A totally fun & enjoyable class to make these two delightful cushions. We will have kits to order for this class to save you the hassle of fabric shopping. If you just want to learn the basics of cushion making then we will also be teaching this too

to book contact jemima here

 

CRAZY FOR BAGS

monday mornings or tuesday evenings

We love a good bag & we love a good bag class even more! We have a catalogue of bags to choose from but new to this class is our very elegant clutch bag, hobby bags to keep all those unfinished projects looking tidy  & a HUGE HUGE bag to carry your cutting mat & equipment to class – one to save your fingers & shoulders!

to book contact jemima here

 

DOMESTIC GODDESS SATURDAY

It seems to me that despite the age of equality women still do most of the housework, so we would like you to look totally gorgeous in the process! We are still working on the samples so the photos are still to come – lunch & treats are also included in this class! . . . . more info to follow

 

FOR ALL THE INFO YOU CAN DOWNLOAD OUR FLYER HERE & STICK IT ON YOUR FRDIGE here.

Class bookings are done through Jemima at tiedwitharibbon@gmail.com . . . cos she is much better at it then me! . . . classes book quickly!

See you in class

x Claire

 

 

 

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A wonderful time was had by all!

November 2, 2012 – 4:01 pm

I have been back from Retreat for nearly a week & I thought I’d be totally exhausted  & really not up for much this week but instead I have happily found myself feeling fresh, revived & totally inspired!

It was one of the best weeks ever & I got to share it with a truly wonderful group of ladies & I can’t wait to do it again!

I knew that it was going to be a very productive weekend but I was amazed at how productive it was,  with some ladies completing two quilt tops. It was great to see lots of different projects being done & peoples UFO piles being worked through.

We kicked off the weekend with a ‘mystery project’ – if the truth be known, it was a mystery to us as well until a few weeks ago when I got my backside in gear. So we raided Jemima’s stash of felt & kitted up some cute little strawberry pin cushions. The idea behind it was to have a quick little project that everyone could hand sew, chat & get to know each other & it was great to see that even though it wasn’t compulsory, everyone was keen to give it a go & they all looked delicious!


Apart from the assortment of lovelies being sewn, Jemima ran a Log Cabin workshop Saturday morning, while I ran around making sure everyone else was coping. Now we all know that a log cabin is not that tricky but it does takes time, patience & a degree of skill. There were some beauties put together over the weekend & all in stunning colour combinations. Lindy’s Kaffe Log Cabin was gorgeous & it was great to see how the use of more subtle colours could produce a such a stunning quilt like the one that Nicola did. Pamela’s use of bright pinks & reds set against the dark grey linen was simply stunning & well done to Lisette & Margaret who had never tackled a machine pieced quilt before – they were fab!

I have to admire the dedication of some girls as despite the weekend being a ‘retreat’ they worked their buns off. We had ladies who starting sewing at five in the morning – (in their pyjamas) & they were still going well into the night! (thankfully they had changed out of their pj’s) There were a few ladies who hadn’t done much sewing before but being surrounded by so much inspiration they were encouraged to produce some results to be very proud of.

Aside from all the business of sewing it was wonderful to stay somewhere comfortable & homely & to be so well looked after. Peter & Delveen at the Avalon Homestead in Toodyay certainly knew how to spoil us with delicious home cooked meals & desserts . . . it’s amazing how much nicer food is if you haven’t had to cook it yourself! Jemima once again proved what a domestic goddess she is with her home baked goodies and they went down a treat with the limitless supply of coffee!

What did I get sewn? . . . . well not a lot. I was more then happy helping out, teaching & chatting. In fact,  I think I love the chatting!

. . . . oh & of course the cakes!

Hopefully it was a great success & everyone left happy. We are planning another one for next March & if the gods are shining on us then we will be doing a third later in 2013, fingers crossed for that one.

The retreat in March is from the 15th – 17th & bookings open on Tuesday 13th November – be quick if you’d like to join us as thy will be done on a first come first served basis!

x x happy stitching!

p.s all the photos are uploaded onto my facebook page



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Off on retreat

October 25, 2012 – 6:54 pm

all packed & ready to go!


. . . . all I have to do is try & squeeze it all, two sewing machines, two ironing boards, one overlocker, one friend & myself into the back of my little Honda.

If you are wondering where we are going, we are are heading up to Toodyay which is about 1 1/2 hours inland from Perth to the Avalon Homestead. It is set amongth the hillside surrounded by bush & wildlife so it will be really nice to take a few deep breaths of fresh air.

We have a welcome BBQ organised for the first night then we are doing a little mystery workshop!! . . . . it’s a simple little hand sewing project to make something ‘uber’ sweet – be really nice to get to know everyone without the sound of busy sewing machines drowning us out . . . that is saved for saturday when hopefully it will be a really busy day!

Keep an eye on my facebook page as I’ll keep you posted on everyones progress!

Happy stitching

x x

 

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Term Four Sew-Along classes

September 22, 2012 – 6:51 pm

I am actually quite excited about next terms classes . . . I think Jemima (Tied with a Ribbon) and I have put together some goodies.

We are kicking off the term with a brand new quilt called Spring carnival. It’s all about the curves as I know there are a few girls out there that need some new challenges. If curves all seem a bit tricky then we can teach you how to do triangles but either way it is a great quilt to master some useful skills.

The lovely Julia Punlar quilted this for us using a metallic thread & dragonfly design & it looks truely fab in the flesh!

Can you believe that Christmas is only 12ish weeks away! Eeeeek! . . . better get started on those Christmas Projects! I of course,  have already been submerged in Christmas Projects making samples for class. Some of the new projects we have been working on are a really funky table runner and door wreath to match our existing advent calender & santa sacks

We also had an idea to run a class to make things for the kids to open on christmas day. My five year old has been having great fun in a TeePee that I made her so we will be teaching you how to make these in our last class of the year. I have also designed some very cute & handy play mats/bags. These are great when you are heading out for the day, just load the zipped bag up with cars or toys & the kids are kept busy . . . better then playing on the IPhone!!

Booking for these classes are done through Jemima – she’s the more organised one of us! Classes are still being held at the Mount Lawley Tennis Club Monday mornings & Tuesday evenings & hopefully in the next few weeks I’ll get the patterns up for sale on my Etsy site for those of you that can’t make class

x Have a fab weekend

 

bookings with Jemima at tiedwitharibbon

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It’s Retreat Time!

June 7, 2012 – 5:40 pm

 

Sew-Along are proud to announce that we are holding our first weekend retreat!

. . . and what a treat it should be! Two full days of uninterrupted sewing in a peaceful & beautiful environment. No need to cook, no need to clean just sew, sew, sew!

So what’s it all about? . . .

I, along with my ‘partner in crime’ at Sew-Along will be running a mystery workshop on the Friday evening which you are welcome to join. It will be a great way for everyone to get to know each other & to ease us all into the weekend!

There will be a quilt workshop on the Saturday morning but if patchwork is not your thing, then we will be opening up the entire library of Sew-Along patterns so take your pick . . . it could be a great weekend to get a start on some Christmas projects!

If you have been following my blog you’ll know that I went on one of these retreats last year & absolutely loved it – (it was the not having to cook or think about cooking that really won me over) & I truly enjoyed being surrounded by like minded folk doing what we love!

Anyway, bookings open tomorrow & will be done on a first some first served basis & numbers are limited so don’t think about it for too long!

If you want to get your head around all the info, facts & costs click on the link below.

 

Hope to see you there

x x Claire

info, facts & costs here

booking form

pattern catalogue

 

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Busy

March 14, 2012 – 12:03 pm

I had someone in a one-on-one class today who made mention that I hadn’t made a blog post in ages – she is completely correct of course but it actually surprised me that she does in fact read what I write – surprising!!

Sew-Along Classes

Well as much as I would have loved to have spent the past two months since my last post (eeek!) lazing around I have in fact been running my little butt off. Girls are back to school, Heidi has started kindy – all good & I now have two days to myself to do me stuff.

Sew-Along classes are a real joy & this term we have been quilting & teaching how to make hats & skirts. The quilt class was all about teaching how to cut & piece accurately & there have been some beautiful quilts made, all with perfectly matched seams & joins! We are running another quilt class next term teaching different skills but focusing on how to quilt, both by hand & machine – should be a fun class!

 

Rainbow fizz Quilt & cushion for next terms Sew-Along class


Heidi in her new hat made in Sew-Along hats & Skirts class – I used up all my Dr Seuss scraps . . . its reversible!


Jemima & I did the last Perth Upmarket together to really promote Sew-Along classes. It was (another) hideously hot day, which made it long & painful -thank goodness for the fabulous Lisa at Cookie Dough who eased our pain with her Big Elvis cookies. It wasn’t all bad – we had a good show & hopefully there will be lots of fabulous new people who join us in class next term.

Easter Madness!

I’ve gone a bit Easter bunny mad lately & I have made about a thousand (ok, I am exaggerating) Easter bunny egg cosies. Aren’t they silly! Love to make things that make me laugh – hopefully when I go back to the UK for Easter, everyone around my family table on Easter morning will get a little joy from their bunny sitting proudly over their egg keeping it nice & warm.


 

Hope you have ordered you copy of the May Homespun magazine – I have a BIG project being published!!!

x x x Claire

more Easter bunnies to make you smile . . .


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New year . . . new classes

January 16, 2012 – 7:54 am

A very happy new year to you if you are taking the time to read this . . . it’s much appreciated!

A new year means a fresh start & I have been busy re-organising, re-planning, clutter clearing & labelling (there is a vague hope that if I label EVERYTHING in the house that my family will learn to put things away!!)

Jemima & I have planned the next two terms Sew-Along classes & the first terms evening classes are already looking pretty full (yippee!) We will both be at the March Upmarket with all the samples for term two so if you are around the March long weekend, come & have a look.

Join us at our Wednesday Morning Sewing Groups!

Our day time Sew-Along classes still have vacancies. They day classes are a great way to catch up, make some new friends as well as learn new sewing skills & make some fantastic projects along the way. This term we are teaching our first quilt – quite a simple design but we will be teaching the importance of accurate cutting & piecing . . . no don’t be put off, it really is quite easy! If you would like to join us then Jemima is taking bookings so you can contact her at tiedwitharibbon@gmail.com & don’t forget we are always happy to have groups of friends along.

This is the quilt we will be teaching you. The finished size is great to cuddle up under on the sofa with a glass of wine, a good movie in the coming winter months!

Later in the term we are running our hats & skirts class where you can make for yourself of any little girls that you know. We are also running a class to make things for your mum with mothers day in mind. There is a great market bag, makeup bags, sunglasses pouches & a notebook keeper.

All the details & prices for the classes can be found on my classes page or by clicking here

I’m busy making new samples to show you which hopefully will get finished once the kids have all returned to school . . . then I might have to start on working up some of my new designs!

Take care & hope to see you soon x x

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Kids holiday Sew-Along classes

December 16, 2011 – 4:38 pm

With the long school holidays upon us, Jemima & I are offering some holiday sewing classes for kids if you are in the Perth area.

We have classes for the younger beginner stitchers where we will be teaching some hand sewing skills & letting them loose with all our buttons, beads & embellishments!


For the older kids who might already have had a bit of a go on a sewing machine we will be running classes to make an owl softie cushion & a class to make a cover for a notebook or drawing pad.

All the costs, details & booking information has been posted on my classes page here.

 

If you have any queries regarding the classes feel free to email me!

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November Upmarket Goodies

December 8, 2011 – 9:53 am

I haven’t made a blog post for a while – running a family & trying to build a small business takes up more of my time then I thought. Not that I am complaining . . . i just need my kids to grow up a bit quicker & perfect their sewing skills so that they can take over the sewing load!!

Only joking . . . no child labour here!

Last month I attended the last Perth Upmarket for the year. I know I have said it before but if you haven’t been, then next year take the time to go. It is a haven of very clever crafty people who all work their little socks off to make beautiful beautiful things that get sold for way way under what they are worth!

I had a little stall selling some of my new sewing patterns, kits & cushions. It was a great day & as usual I was surprised at the number of kits that went. It is so great to see that people are still happier to spend $30 for a kit & make it themselves rather then spend $50 to have one already sewn. You go girls! Get those sewing machines out & wear away the tips of your fingers hand sewing . . . who said needlecraft was a dying art . . Not in my world!

See . . . . my little stall of cushions!

 

I do a  bit of paper art too! – ‘Goldilocks & the three bears’ paper collage – for sale at Paper Fusion in Mt Hawthorn. I am running classes there next year too.


Designs got used on pencil cases as well as cushions.


It was a fun way to spend a Sunday & got me out of having to do the Surf Club run.

I’ve got one more week left of Sew-Along classes before we take a break for the holidays – yay! The classes have been MOUNTAINS of fun & a real surprise for me this year. I really didn’t have any intention of teaching again but I have thoroughly enjoyed it & Jemima & I have lots & lots of fun stuff planned for next years classes so bring it on!

The schedule for next year is about to be uploaded & if you are looking for something to do with the kids then we are running classes to teach them how to sew too! . . .

. . . can’t let sewing become a dying art now can we!

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a real sewing room . . . & some new classes

September 25, 2011 – 4:07 pm

In my last post I said that I would show you my sewing room.

Since I signed up for next weeks Perth Upmarket I have been living along side my sewing machine, my kids have joined me & my husband has brought me many cups of tea. It has become a place of madness – fabric scraps, cotton threads, pages of designs, & empty cups everywhere! Creativity at its best!

Well, not in the manner of the majority of bloggers with their shiny workrooms, I’m going to show you how it really is!

I always have a silent sigh to myself when bloggers post about their sewing spaces with all the neatly folded fabrics & polished surfaces . . . . that’s not a REAL sewing space . . . . this is a real sewing space!

(please note the large teddy for four year old to use as a pillow for afternoon naps . . . not sure why the scooter is there tho! )

Now I know you want to see a glamorous workroom, all designed to within an inch of its life – inspiring pages torn from arty magazines stuck artistically to beautifully covered pin boards, & elegant stacks of fabric arranged in colour coded piles,  well I have news for you . . .

I’d like to see that too! I’d love to be that tidy person!

Whilst I like to get into a neatly made bed every night, I seem to work better in creative chaos!

Just & I emphasise ‘just’, sometimes my space can look like something from Real Living magazine . . . to be honest, its usually only gets a clear up just before Jemima, my Sew-Along partner comes over!.

But despite its’ seeming chaos it is a productive space & somewhere that I can loose myself into a world that makes me supremely happy.

I am very lucky to have such an large space to work in & spread out but it’s not something that you need to get creative. Check out Aneela Hooeys work space. She is an amazingly productive & creative lady & she works off her lounge room coffee table! Not sure I could cope with that but it just goes to show that all you need is enough space to park your machine & rest your tea cup!

 

. . . MARKET NEWS

Upmarket is a week away & for the first time ever I am going to be selling stuff that I have made myself other then just selling patterns . . . which, by the way I will be selling as well. I will be letting you have a sneek peek of what will be on offer everyday on my Facebook page this week so keep your eyes out & come early to the market as I have only made one of everything as I’m not really into mass production as there is always a new design to make!

before I leave you,  thought you might like to see what is on offer in next terms Sew-Along classes . . . details have been listed on my classes page.

x x x

KIDS CLOTHING – shorts, summer dresses & hats.

 

MORE CHRISTMAS – Advent Calender, Christmas Angel, Santa Sack

 

BAGS & CUSHIONS – beach bag, reversible handbag, applique & plain cushions with piping & zipped backs

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