January's Sewcial

The first ever Fabric HQ Sewcial has been and gone, and didn't we have a laugh! We dragged out the tables and sewing kit, laid out the cake, biscuits and jelly babies, put the kettle on in anticipation ... shared projects and finally got down to some sewing: there were people working on, dresses, jackets, applique, bean bags, quilts, cross stitch, kids toys and more - it was great!

We had a giggle about wonky darts, got to grips with tailor tacks, straight of grain, nap and notches and mused at the fact that you could once buy a pattern for a mere 40p!

Many a laugh was had as we wheeled out some ancient and erm, 'interesting' patterns as samples for our 'Getting your head around a commercial dressmaking pattern' session... and in all the excitement I forgot to take photos of what people were actually making!  So if you weren't there, you'll have to be content with this pic of the aforementioned ancient patterns.

... and no, Caroline, you don't get the hairstyle with the pattern on the left - I read the instructions and it's not included, I'm afraid.

 

 

If you fancy popping along to the next Sewcial, do get in touch. The next session's topics will be making your own bias binding and how to create a French seam. March 4th, 7.30pm, St Anne's Hall, Wendover.

 

See you there!

 

Oh what a few days we've have!

If you’ve tried to have a look at our website over the weekend then  you will know that it, erm... well it disappeared!

We are very pleased to say that it is now up and running again but given the recent troubles, we’ve decided to extend our sale until Sunday 2^nd February . And to make it even better we’re giving 10% off all fabric only on top of our sale prices, until midnight on Tuesday 28^th January.  Just a little incentive for you to come back and have a look. Just type the code ‘we are back’ at the checkout.

Thanks for sticking with us!

Don't forget the first ever HQ Sewcial

Don't forget the first ever Fabric HQ Sewcial, this Tuesday 28th January at St Anne’s Hall, Wendover from 7.30pm.

This month we’ll spending a little time demystifying dressmaking patterns and then it’s make, make make! Bring along a project, pull up a chair and get busy. It’s going to be a corker.

See you there.

New Year New Workshops

So we're two weeks into 2014 now and to help you along with the good intentions fervour we all find ourselves caught up in at this time of year, here's Fabric HQ's new program of workshops for this spring!

The Fabric HQ Sewcial

Make what YOU want to make whilst building a portfolio of sewing knowhow. Part tuition, part sew-and-chat, the Sewcial is a great environment in which to meet up with friends and grow your sewing knowledge.

Monthly on a Tuesday night at St Anne’s Hall, Wendover 7.30pm to 9.30pm. No need to book - just show up!

28th Jan  Getting your head around a commercial dress making pattern £7



Ever wanted to tackle a commercial pattern in order to create your dream dress, only to be put off by baffling diagrams and confusing lingo? During our January session we’ll spend some time helping to give you the confidence to start afresh this year, unafraid to go forth into the wonderfully satisfying world of DIY couture! Plenty of time after for you to bring your own project to work on in a relaxed environment.

4th March  French Seams and Bias Binding £7



This month we will spend some time showing you how to make perfectly neat seams every time without the use of an expensive overlocker. We also show you how to create beautiful handmade bias binding as well as how to use it to give a professional finish to your project. Plenty of time after for you to bring your own project to work on in a relaxed environment.

Other Sewcial dates for your diary.... 1st April & 20th May

Workshops

We are so excited to be teaming up with Emma of Simple Pleasures Sewing School. We wanted someone we felt at home with to join us at HQ and Emma was the obvious choice. She is amazingly brilliant – a lovely woman who is as potty about fabric and sewing as we are so I’m sure you’ll all love her.

Fabric HQ and Simple Pleasures Sewing School combine to bring you a fantastic program of spring sewing! Tuesday nights at St Anne’s Hall, Wendover, 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Call Rae on 07761 957283, visit the website www.fabrichq.co.uk or email rae@fabrichq.co.uk to book your place & for more details.

18th February Workshop: Fully booked!

18th March  The Staple Dress £30 plus cost of pattern



A perfect beginner’s dress making project! Designed to be simple yet flattering. This dress has a lot of ease through the bust and hip, with elastic shirring at the waist to cinch it in. The waistline can be customized and adjusted up and down to accent the wearer’s natural waist. Choose between two hemlines, a classic straight hem or a more dramatic drop hem style, with optional side-seam pockets. Cute alone or belted, with flats, boots or heels, it’s a year-round wardrobe essential. 

Please note you will need to bring  along and know how to use your own sewing machine for this class. We strongly  recommend that you get it out for a test run shortly before the class so that you can make the most of your time at the workshop.

The Session includes instructions  to take away, tea coffee and cake, and your tuition. Please note that you will  need to bring your own fabric to make your dress.

15th April  Roman blinds part 1 & 22nd April Roman blinds part 2 £60 



During this two part workshop we’ll be learning how to make top-notch roman blinds, finished by hand like a professional. We’ll beaver away on a small sample to get our heads around the process of construction, and cover all the basics of how to measure up a window for a blind and the tricky business of pleat calculations. We’ll send you away armed with instructions to measure up your own chosen window at home, and calculate how much fabric you’ll need etc. When you return a week later we’ll go over your individual calculations for your blind and finish off the sample so that you’re all set to crack on with your own project at home. 

The Session includes use of a machine (but please bring your own if you wish), haberdashery, blind sundries for sample, instructions to take away, tea coffee and cake, and your tuition. Please note that you will need to bring 1m of your own fabric to make the blind sample. This a 2-parter, so you will need to sign up for PART II as well.


27th May  Bag with zip £30



Take your sewing up a gear and tackle a zip! Master some new techniques and go home with a gorgeous, unique bag to fill and all the skills you’ll need to whip up many more.

At this workshop you will learn:

·        Sewing a 3 dimensional shape

·        Inserting a zip

·        Inserting lining

So if you’re in the Wendover area, stop by at Fabric HQ at the Courtyard Gallery (behind Antiques at Wendover on the High Street) and find out more about The Sewcial and our new Workshop program. You can book the classes on the website. Whatever your plans for 2014, make sure you make time to sew - oh and to tell us about what you're doing!

Happy 2014 : )