The next craft club is all about embroidery. I am delighted that we are being assisted by  designer Helen Hodgson, aka Polly Dextrous.  Helen has very kindly created a lovely motif for us to embroider.  We will be working on the assumption that you haven't  done any free-hand embroidery before, and will keep it simple  However, if you know more stitches, there is plenty of scope for you to do your own

  There will be no normal club night this month - it was too close to Christmas to organise.  However, there will be a different sort of club night - on Friday, January 17th at 8pm.   I will start to put together the Project Linus quilt, which some of you designed and / or made blocks for.   If you would like to join us, let me know and I'll give you access to our FB group. we

  Traditionally, we have turned the December design challenge over to the children.  Most adults are pretty busy in December, whereas, excited children before Christmas and 'bored' ones afterwards may be glad of a challenge.  However,  last year we didn't have any  entries, so maybe I'm wrong about that! So, for one last try, we will hold a children's design competition, and see how it goes.  If we have some entries, I

          Christmas is rapidly approaching;  if you want to receive your order before Christmas, please take note of the last dates we can accept orders, which are as follows:   For posting to Eastern Europe and Malta - December 9th For posting to Australia and New Zealand - December 9th For posting to Canada, Czech Republic,  Italy, Poland and  USA - December 11th For posting to  Finland and Sweden - December 11th For posting to

  Now that it is fairly easy to get small quantities of fabric  printed  (from 20cms²), do you ever think that you'd like to create your own design?  And then think, 'But I don't know where to start!'? Here is your chance to try designing with a hand to guide you along the way. Over the next 5 days, I'll walk you through creating your own Christmas tea towel design.  It doesn

This month, we have two beautiful cut and sew dolls in our monthly challenge.  They are very different. We have Maddalee Doll by Nancy Archer: and Olive by ByCornelia: Aren't they both gorgeous?  I think that's presents sorted for a couple of my grandchildren! Maddalee comes with instructions (they are legible when printed at full size!) and a little skirt to make.   Olive just has cutting directions.   Do, please, tell the designers

  As I've said before, and as I'm sure you're aware, fashion is a strange thing.  The images we have in our minds of the fashion of past centuries are mostly the clothes worn by the wealthy.  Working men and women couldn't afford (and, at times, weren't allowed to wear!) the luxurious fabrics and extravagant styles worn by the Royal Court. Neither were such clothes even remotely practical. Much the same still applies

  This month's design challenge is not a pattern - it's a doll! Can you create a cut-and-sew fabric doll on either a fat quarter or a tea towel? The doll can be any size which fits the fabric and can either be made with printed clothes, or you can include her/his wardrobe on your fq / tea towel.  Simple instructions would probably also be useful! As usual, designs will be shown on Facebook and the

  Apologies for the late announcement of our Christmas Cushion Design Competition winner.  We have a first - after 5 and a half years of competitions, we have our first tie!  As there were only two entries this time, in consultation with the entrants, I have decided to share the prize between the two. So, congratulations to Becca and Carla on their shared win!  Thanks to both of them for their lovely designs, and thanks to those who

 We've had two entries for this year's Christmas Cushion competition.  They are:  The Usual Suspects Cushion and  Waving to Santa. I hope you like them - I think they're both fun Christmassy designs.  Please vote for your favourite, either below or on our Facebook page.    The winner will be announced next week. If you want a reminder of the brief, you'll find it here: Design Competition - Christmas Cushion.

  It's time to start making for Christmas! Why is it that we are so keen to make things for Christmas?   Is it a longing for times past? Or perhaps it's the pretty fabrics.  Who knows? But there are certainly plenty of ideas around for adding hand-made touches to your Christmas décor. You can make some of your own at our Fabric Fun Craft Club nights in November and December. November - we will