Sewing School

Lots of hand work happened at school tonight!

Kate got the hang of spray basting and quilting,

Tracey progressed with the tooth fairy cushion, learning French knots (thanks Tara) and blanket stitch 

Naomi made a bolster cushion, although stuffing it was a mamouth task

And Tara worked on the pink reversible bag and an umbrella wall hanging 

Finishing at the Farm

The local authority have changed the way they charge for adult education - as Broom Farm is an army base, the agreement was that the army wouldn't charge for the room, and the local authority wouldn't charge the army wives for the courses.  

The authority have now taken it into their heads that the army wives have to pay - not taking into account that they cant get jobs as they don't stay in one place long enough, that the army moves them around with no regard to where their natural support group (mum, sisters, aunts, long term friends) lives, or where their replacement support group is (other army wives, health visitors, children's centre staff, army welfare staff, adult education  teachers (!) and that their men are putting their lives on the line for our country

So some of my ladies didn't come back this term, as a lot of their men are being sent to Afghanistan.  Three did come back, although one knows her man leaves in two weeks, and the other two's men are expecting orders any day now which will see the whole family moving again.

So, as if the army isn't treating them badly enough, the authority has decided to cut the class!

So we have asked the welfare officer very nicely, and she has said we can still use the room, the girls will pay the weekly rate to me, and we'll carry on with these great projects. 

Lauren is working on her Monster Quilt (I may have to copy this)

Cara is working hard to finish this before husband goes to Afghanistan

And Bekka is using some lovely fabrics for this ticker tape quilt

Benta@SLIKstitches.co.uk

Sewing at School

Wednesday night went well at school, with 8 people coming to join me: two children and six mums, with a variety of projects - cross stitch, cushion pads, tooth fairy pillow, patchwork quilt, jazzing up a jumper, learning to use a sewing machine, and turning two curtains into a quilt!

I was kept busy all night, sadly too busy to remember to take many photos, but I snapped two as we were clearing up

Kate's patchwork 

And A's crossstitch

 

Posted with Blogsy

Back At Broom Farm

It was lovely to be back at Broom Farm today.  The girls all turned up with ideas, plans, fabrics - all raring to go!

Lauren planned a quilt for her boys,

 and started on the first block:

Rebecca started working on bunting for her sister-in-law's wedding

And Cara's husbnd is off to Ahghanistan next month, so she is making him a special pillowcase to take.

Benta@SLIKstitches.co.uk

Museum Making - January 2014

The first Fun with Fabric of the new year at Chertsey Museum went well.  The ladies all made infinity scarves, and some showed their finished items from previous sessions:

Well done all

And Show and Tell ...

Benta@SLIKstitches.co.uk

A Few new Friends

The new course at school Started this week: I had no idea how many to expect, but had three "can't come this week will be there next week" messages! In the end Niki came with me, and two lovely ladies came, so a slow start, but a lovely evening.

All set up waiting . . .

Kate brought a book of fabric samples she had got her hands on: we couldn't peel the stickers off, so she had a lesson on rotary cutting and pretty soon had them all cut to a usable size. This pic is lack and white as we were considering their values, but in fact they were all lovely: very calm creams, yellows, pale blues reds and greens. She got most of them sewn into strips before we left - lots of ironing to do next

 

Tara came with fabrics to make a bag for her niece, and has the bag planned and cut (and stitched and unstitched, but we shan't dwell on that!!!)

 

Niki also stitched - she's working on a charity quilt, but I didn't get any photos

 

Posted with Blogsy

New Windsor Class

I am planning to run a fun evening sewing class in Windsor from 15th January to 12th February: 

Finish something old, or start something new!

I am happy for you to bring projects you're working on; projects you've got stuck on; inspiration from items you've seen, or ideas that have sprung from your imagination.

I bring all basic sewing supplies & equipment for you to use, and have a range of fabrics etc that you can use at no extra cost.  If specific supplies are required I am generally happy to buy equipment, and I can suggest where you may find appropriate fabrics etc

 


Benta@SLIKstitches.co.uk

Kids' Crafty Church

For about two years now St Michael 'a church in Horton has been hosting Crafty Church on the third Saturday of each month - the church is open 2 to 4 and all are welcome.

Some see the door is open and pop in to look around our beautiful church, while others come specifically for Crafty Church.

We've had people knitting and crocheting, painting, beading, sewing, patchworking and even repairing clothes.

Not only have people worked on their own crafty projects, but they have taught others: people have learnt crochet and patchwork , and have picked up new knitting skills etc.  We don't make any charge, and it's lovely to see people using the church!

We were recently awarded a grant from the Bishop of Oxford and decided to use the money to trial Kids Crafty Church, and Saturday was our first session. 

We had 18 children attend, with parents, and the afternoon was great fun!  

The kids first went for the craft packs: where all the pieces are provided, with a picture of the finished item

Soon they moved on to other tables where I had laid out resources - stamps and inkpads, lolly sticks, stickers, pens and pencils, beads and pipecleaners. And here was the most fun - kids love free reign with resources and glue, and I love to see kids use their imagination!

* * I don't think anyone is identifiable from their photo, but please message me if you have any concerns, and I'll remove the photo * *

As for the mums: chat and coffee soon progressed to chat and craft as they started to absentmindedly put beads on pipecleaners, or colour in decorations!!

Thank you all so much for coming, I had a great afternoon!

We'll be back on 18th January with regular Crafty Church (All welcome) and on 15th February with Kids' Crafty Church

Friday FQ Fun

At Chertsey a Museum on Friday we made Fat Quarter bags - a lovely afternoon

And some ladies brought their completed necklaces

Merry Christmas all, and I look forward to seeing you all in January

Monday Madness part 2

Yesterday evening saw me back at Oakfield school making costumes for their Christmas play: the traditional tale of Cinderella at the Nativity (yes, really!!!)

We finished the last of 15 outfits, 

and made a dozen sparkly twirly skirts for the stardust children 

Then home for a well earned glass of wine, and a sleep!