Made: Items made in our classes this month

Here are some of the items that have been made in store this month. There are some gorgeous items and lots and lots of bunting, a brilliant project for beginners. As always have a look on the Owl and Sewing Cat website for details on our classes and workshops.

Focus: Bag Making Workshop

We are regularly being asked about the various classes and workshops that we hold at the Owl and Sewing Cat so 'Focus' is a new series looking at each class in turn. All images are of items that can be made in this class.

What is the name of the class?
Bag Making Workshop

Who is it for?
Anyone that would like to have a go at making a bag and learning some tips and techniques at the same time. Some experience of using a sewing machine is required. If you wanted to do this course but needed to pick up the basics (or have a refresher) then coming along to one of our Open Sewing Sessions first might be useful.

When does it take place?
Our next class is on Friday 27th from 10am - 4pm. The class is run by the owner of the shop, Tracey.

What can you make?

One of our lovely bags! We have lots of different patterns and designs to choose from. From a new handbag to a useful beach bag we have something to suit everybody. I have included a few pictures here but there are many possibilities. We will talk you through the entire process from cutting fabric right through to finishing your bag. Tracey will also talk you through how to adjust the size and shape of a bag so that you can make your own patterns in the future. Make one for yourself or as a present for someone.

How much does it cost?

It is £38 plus fabric costs.

How do I come along? 
Look at the class page for dates and then just give us a call on the number on our website to book your session. If possible we ask that you choose your project and fabric before you come.

Next month we will be looking at our Elements patchwork & quilting course.

Coming soon: Holiday Sewing Club

We now have details of classes running throughout the summer on our website. One of the ever popular sessions we will be running is our Sewing Club for 10-16 year olds.

If you are (or know someone who is) a young person interested in learning to use a sewing machine come along to one of our sessions and you can learn to make something special. We have a new project each session and Tracey takes you through the whole process from start to finish.

The dates and projects are listed below. Sessions cost £20 and include all the fabrics you need.

10th July - Pencil case

24th July - Apron

7th August - Bag with decoration

21st August - Monster cushion made from felt - design your own

Please contact us by telephone or pop into the shop if you are interested in booking one of the classes.

Happy sewing,

Kelly

Introducing: The Owl and Sewing Cat shop

Tucked behind the Grand Hotel on Eastbourne's beautiful sun-drenched (well it is today) seafront is a little shop called The Owl and Sewing Cat. 

Owned by Tracey, the shop is an Aladin's cave of fabric, notions, yarn and so much more. From a fancy sewing machine that can write your name to teeny tiny shell buttons we have everything you need to start and finish a sewing project. And if you really want to make something beautiful but don't know where to start the friendly, knowledgeable staff are there to help you with any question you may have or any help you may need.

Tracey decided to open the Owl and Sewing Cat when her daughter, then aged 12, started to show an interest in sewing but they were struggling to find fun and interesting fabrics that would be easy for her to sew with. And so The Owl and Sewing Cat was born. Originally based in Bexhill we moved to Eastbourne last year and a few months later doubled the shop size by taking on the empty shop next door which gave us space to offer more classes and start stocking lots of new products including sewing kits, wool and yarn.

In order to hold the variety of fabrics we have in the shop, products are shipped in from across the world. Fabric led to sewing lessons and Tracey has built a series of sewing workshops for adults and children to come along and learn various techniques, from beginners, through to patchwork and dressmaking, and now knitting and crochet.

Busy working during an Open Sewing Session

We pride ourselves on friendly service and advice to all, whether a complete beginner or someone with more experience. We offer inspiring ideas, shown in the store and also blogs and free patterns via our website and facebook page. We also offer a free pattern loan service from the shop on our range of patterns that we have designed. And most importantly, it’s a fun place to be, with ever-changing fabrics, yarns and projects. We are really settled in this location and have many regulars that pop in, returning to the classes time and time again and nipping in to show us the progress they have made on a project, or just getting a little advice when needed. Never fear if you are not local however, as we sell fabric and other items online so you can join in the fun.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing a few pictures of the shop and getting to know us a little bit better.

Happy sewing,

Kelly


This post is one of a series introducing our readers to the Owl and Sewing Cat and the people that work there. Other posts in this series can be seen here.

New in store - Alikits

We love it when we find a product that is designed to get adults and children sewing together and we are so happy to be a stockist for Alikits - Sewing kits with a story to tell.

Made in Cornwall these sweet Alikits contain everything you need to make the amazingly cute creatures. You just need a pair of scissors and you will be away. Each has their own name and story and there is even a blog about their adventures on Acorn Crescent where they all live.

They really are the cutest animals we have come across in a long time. Bright vibrant colours and made from felt they are easy to make and will be loved by all ages. I am dying to start a collection today. It will definitely start with Mr Poop the Pigeon (although I am totally afraid of them in real life).

Pop in store to see the full range and some made up samples. Perfect as presents, either made up or for someone who can sew their new pet themselves.

Inspiration: Father's Day

On Sunday the 17th June it is Father's Day here in the UK and we have been trying to think of things that we can make for the Dads in our lives.

I have been scouring the internet for some inspiration and I thought that I would share some of it here with you. Check out our Father's Day Pinterest board to see all these ideas and more in one place.

Flickr:

How about a simple drawstring bag? Great as a laundry bag or for putting shoes in when traveling:

If your dad likes to cook then how about a brilliant reversible apron?

Both of these items can be made with us in store at our Open Sewing Sessions. If you don't have time before Father's Day then any of these items would be great birthday presents too.

Tutorials:

Make a one of a kind tie for your dad with this tutorial from The Purl Bee. I think that this is such a lovely idea and you can make it really personal to him.

image credit

Or is your dad more of a gadget man? Here are some great tutorials to make something snug for his favourite items.

I used this great quilted iPad cover tutorial to make the one below recently.

Image courtesy of A place of my own

Or perhaps he has a laptop and you think you could make him a laptop sleeve.

image credit

Finally maybe just something smaller to hold an iPod or camera or even special items such as cufflinks or a watch when traveling. This Gadget Cosy Tutorial is quick and simple and there are loads of things it could be used for.

image credit

Obviously if you decide to make any of these you will need fabrics that would suit your dad's personality. We have a great fat quarter bundle online and instore now called 'Hello Sailor' which would be great for men.

If that doesn't seem the thing for your dad then why not have a browse through our other fabrics for sale and see what you think he would like. Here are some of my picks.

Tutorial: No-Sew Fleece Blanket

Today we have a quick and easy tutorial to share with you. So simple that you don't even need to be able to sew, just use a pair of scissors and tie knots. This would be a brilliant project for half term and once you are finished you will have a great fleece blanket perfect for keeping you warm. We love to use these for snuggling under to watch a family film, and if you are going camping these will protect you from the night time chills! You can either close up all four sides or leave the top open and climb inside to use it like a sleeping bag. Then you can just throw your pillow and pyjamas in and you have a portable bed wherever you are.

Requirements:
Two pieces of fleece, 1m or larger.
Scissors

Notes:
The pirate fleece fabric is sold by the panel and is 120cm x 160cm
We have a variety of different fleece fabrics for sale in our online store.

Instructions:

1. Lay the two pieces of fleece wrong sides together and go round the sides that you want to tie together, making cuts every inch that are 4 inches long. Your blanket will now have a tassle fringe. If you want to have the top edge open you can either leave it uncut or have it with tassles that you don't tie up.

2. Have a seat and placing the blanket on your lap work your way round tying the front and back together with a simple double overhand knot (or reef knot). Continue your way round the blanket until all edges are tied together.

3. Snuggle under your handiwork and enjoy!

Check out our other tutorials for some great items to make.

Happy Sewing,

Kelly

Summersville, School Days and Fat Quarter Bundles

I hope that everyone is out enjoying the Jubilee weekend. I thought that I would just write a quick post letting you know about some of the new fabrics that we have online at the moment.

Summersville is now in stock. We have hand picked our favourite prints from Lucie Summers' debut fabric collection for Moda. They are (clockwise from top left) Novelty Town in Coal, Floral Scandi in Red, Novelty Avenue in Coal and Check Weave in Red. These are proving very popular already.

We also have another two great Moda Fabrics, both from the School Days collection by American Jane. On the left we have ABC 123 in Natural and one the right Connect the Dots in Red. I can't wait to get the chance to break out some embroidery floss and have a go at sewing dot to dot. Perfect prints for all your makes for children.

We have also put together two Limited Edition fat quarter bundles for you with a nautical theme. Hello Sailor is £10.99 and Nautical but Nice is £12.99. We hope you like them.

'Hello Sailor'

Nautical but Nice

All these and much more available from our website.

Happy Sewing,

Kelly