Fashion Show @ Fabulous Fabrics in Ashby de le Zouch

To help celebrate the School of Sewing’s
18th Birthday, Fabulous Fabrics held a charity fashion show in aid of LOROS earlier this month.
All of the items worn in the show were made by students from the school and members of staff and bravely modelled by some of them too!!
We all got there nice and early to practice our moves down the catwalk, get our garments into order and get our hair and make-up done, (you can see Rachel having her make-up applied and Carol looks really pleased with her outfit!) and then the audience began to arrive. There was an exciting buzz in the air, which helped us all with any nerves!

First on was the underwear section ‘Under Wraps’, which went down very well! Other scenes included ‘Not the Little Black Dress’, ‘Stretching the Point’ and ‘Cover Story’ leading to the finale ‘Lets Party’ which were all evening and bridal dresses.It was a fun, successful evening and everyone had a great time getting dressed up or watching the models strut their stuff down the catwalk.
Here's looking froward to the next one!

For more information about Fabulous Fabrics and School of Sewing, check out their website....
http://www.schoolofsewing.co.uk/

Test out the new Janome Horizon @ Bambers!

Bambers was established in 1946 by Roy Bambers, and is now ran by Roy's son's, Alan and Steve. It has traded from various locations around the Manchester area, and now has large premises on Liverpool Road, just off J11 on the M60. Bamber's has the full range of Janome machines on display, so just pop in for a demonstration or check out any new Janome accessories! Today, we held a Janome Horizon Test Drive event, a great opportunity for ladies to try out the machine before they purchase. The Jog Dial, which can be seen below, is a quick way of choosing stitches... and look at the huge clear extension table... this is included with the machine!

There classroom has lots of space to spread out and great natural light, an ideal place for sewing. They hold several regular sewing and quilt classes, just check out their website for full details. Workshops.

Bambers has a wonderful selection of haberdashery, patchwork fabrics, quilting wadding's, and dress fabrics... well worth a visit next time you are in the area!

And, if you are a dress maker, check out their range of English Couture interlinings!

For more information on Bambers Sewing Machines, check out their website,

http://www.bambersew.com/

Lestan Sewing Machine's in Nelson has a make over!

Lestan Sewing Machines has a make over! In the last year the whole of Lestan shop front, signage and the rest of the three floor building has had a complete renovation... and I'm sure you'll agree, the finished result looks really smart?

Lestan was established over 40 years ago, and has pride's itself on quality sales and servicing of both domestic and industrial machines. It is about 400 metres away from the town centre and has easy local parking. They specialise in Janome sewing machines and have lots of machines on display for you to have a look at. Brian and Kim took over the business a few years ago, and are looking forward to taking the business forward.

And one more thing I found out today.....the name Lestan was created 1969, came from the previous owners....Les and Stanley!

They open Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For more information, check out their website below,
Lestand Sewing Machines

Jennie Rayment is visiting Coventry Sewing Centre

Coventry Sewing Centre have taken delivery of their new Janome Class Room machines, and just in time for their class with Jennie Rayment on Sunday 24th October.

"Creative blocks with an amazingly manipulated 3D effects. Learn several different designs and combine for a small quilt or wall-hanging. Ideal for all levels of abilities - no experience needed just a desire to fiddle with fabric and have fun." - Jennie Rayment. Make up a quilt, wall hanging or cushion in this fun filled day with Jennie Rayment".

For more information, contact the shop on 02476 257266 or visit their website at http://www.covsew.co.uk/

Samuel Taylor's @ Skipton... a haven for Crafters!

Samuel Taylor's at Skipton is a haven for crafters. There Mill Shop is spread over two floors, and has a specialist department for cross-stitch, knitting, patchwork and quilting and scrap booking and card making.... just look at the paper craft department below... it's huge! Samuel Taylor became a stockist for Janome machines in the spring of 2010, and are loving learning all the machines. They now stock a beautiful range of Oliver Twists threads, fabrics and trimmings... all of which are great to use on the Janome embellisher machine, the FM725.

Look at those gorgeous colours!

Samuel Taylor host a selection of craft workshops, including paper crafts, patchwork and knitting. There are still places on some of their Christmas workshops, so check out their website for more information.

http://www.clickoncrafts.co.uk/

They also have a fabulous blog to keep up to date with special offers and promotions.

http://samueltaylors.blogspot.com/

There's even a great cafe at Embsay Mills, ideal for grabbing some lunch, or even leaving the husband while you go shopping!

New Workshops introduced at The Courtyard, near Beverley!

Northbar Fabrics, A Stitch in Time and Topaz Interiors have joined together at The Courtyard in Cherry Burton. The shop has a range of beautiful dress, craft and soft furnishing fabrics, plus beautiful haberdashery and trimmings.
For the autumn they have introduced some beautiful workshops, from Silk Painting, Beginners Patchwork, How to make a Roman Blind, Fabric Corsage, How to Make Curtains and a range of Christmas Projects.
Tuesday afternoon is Needlework and Natter 1.30pm - 4pm - a relaxed afternoon to work on your own projects, you have use of large cutting table, sewing machines and overlocker, and staff on hand to offer help and advice. The cost is only £5 per session and refreshments are supplied.
For more information, just call The Courtyard and they can give you details and costs of each class, 01964 551955
The Cortyard. Burton Mount, Malton Road, Cherry Burton. HU17 7RA.

Sew Janome has been voted as Blog of the Week!

Fiona from the Sewing Directory has voted my blog as "Blog of the Week"!!

"Our favourite blog this week is http://sewjanome.blogspot.com/ the official blog of Janome's regional sales manager Heidi Lawton.
This blog is great for Janome owners as is full of new product details and video demonstrations. However, it is also a great source of information for all sewists, there are links to interviews Kirsty Allsop has conducted with memebers of the sewing community on behalf of Janome, details of great shops for fabric and sewing supplies, patterns and projects and details of sewing events throughout the country.
It's a bright and colourful blog with plenty of pictures, allowing you to see the shops (and their staff) that stock Janome products.
To view the blog visit: http://sewjanome.blogspot.com/ "


The Sewing Directory is a great place to find anything sewing related in your area, from sewing machines, workshops, fabrics and crafts.... Lots of intesting articles, special offers and regular competitions.
Check out their website for more information.
http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheSewingDirectory
http://twitter.com/#!/sewingdirectory
http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.com/

Horizon Workshop @ Ilkeston Sewing Centre

Phil Wood, the owner of Ilkeston Sewing and Janome Centre has over 40 years experience in the sewing machine trade. He was originally trained by Singer, and in 1986 opened his own shop in Ilkeston. Janome is now his preferred brand of sewing machine, although he will happily service and repair all makes and model.
Steven, his son, also works in the business and can be seen below helping some of the ladies on the Horizon workshop.

Last week we ran an Janome Horizon Test Drive, for the local sewers to come and try out our new long arm quilting machine. Phil and Steve had made a real effort to make everyone enjoy the workshop and we even had Janome red balloons on each of the machines!

The Sewing Centre also has a large range of trimmings, haberdashery, and fake fur fabrics, plus dress patterns and cross stitch kits. It's well worth a visit next time you are in the area. For more information, check out their website, http://www.ilkestonsewingcentre.co.uk

Horizon Test Drive @ Fox Sewing Machines in Derby

On Tuesday Fox Sewing Machine on Babbington Lane in Derby ran an Horizon Test drive for Ladies, and gent on this occasion, to test the new features of the fantastic long armed quilting machine.
Carmela, who can be seen helping the students below, took over the business a few years ago, and has since gone from strength to strength to grow the business.
For more information on Fox Sewing Machines, check out their website,
http://www.foxsdirect.com/

The Janome Horizon has an Acufeed system, which is an integrated walking foot, which give excellent feeding when stitching thick quilting and wadding or any difficult, thick fabrics. You can see below, the different types of Acufeed Feet available, from left to right, Acufeed Ditch Foot, Acufeed 1/4" Foot, and Acufeed Opentoe Foot. The big beast you can seen in the back of the photo, is the new Binding Attachment especially designed to bind thick wadding.... it really is clever! For more information on the Janome Accessory Feet, contact your local dealer, or check out the Janome website.

Everyone loved the Horizon machine, look at the beautiful stitches below, it also has loads of Crazy Quilt stitches to decorate pieced seams.

How to use the Janome Border Guide Foot

Free Machine Quilting on the Janome Horizon!

New Janome Stockist in Carnforth!

This gorgeous shop was opened in 2009 after Helen, the owner, failed to find lovely fabrics and crafty things available locally. They stock a beautiful range of yarns, wools, fabrics, trimmings.... and now Janome Sewing Machines!
Helen runs the shop on a daily basis supported by Becky, her daughter, when not studying at Uni.
Helen taught at a local college and has experience in a variety of crafts. She is able to help and advise on the majority of craft related questions, and some of her handy work is on display for sale in the shop. The beautiful gifts, fabrics and trimmings can't help but get you inspired to start crafting!

For more information, check out their website,

http://www.etty-lilly.co.uk/

Greenpark Quilting Group checks out the Janome Horizon with N J Sewing Machines

On my last day of my Scotland trip, I visited the Greenpark Quilters' Guild Group in Polmont, near Falkirk. Richard, the local Janome dealer, N J Sewing Machines, Brighton, works closely with the quilting group and is always on hand to help with their sewing needs. All the ladies had a lovely time making the Horizon Test Drive project and trying all the wonderful features of the machine.

We even had a birthday girl in the group... but unfortunately... not enough cake for everyone!

The Horizon days are a great time for meeting real sewers and quilters, and no better place for getting feedback on the machine... check out our website and see if there is an event near you!

http://www.janome.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85:localactivities-&catid=11:local&Itemid=11

For more information on the Greenpark Quilting Group or other Quilters' Guild meetings, check out the link below,

http://www.quiltersguild.org.uk

Horizon Test Drive travels to Scotland...ESC @ Keith

Last week I took the Janome Horizon Test Drive Road Show to Scotland!

Alan Williams, from ESC in Keith, (formally Elgin Sewing Centre) who can be seen below, is my furthest north Janome stockist. Alan, has worked in the sewing machine trade for years, and has links with many Schools, Colleges and Quilting Groups in the area. Keith is a beautiful Scottish town, and if you don't live locally, is well worth a visit and next time you are in the area!

Check out Alan's website for more information. http://www.elginsewcentre.co.uk/
We ran two full workshops in the shop, and the ladies loved playing with the new machine... so much so, a few had to order a machine there and then! The jog dial is such an easy way to view and select stitches quickly, and everyone loved the Border Guide Foot to keep rows of decorative stitches parallel.Lots of happy sewing ladies!

I must tell you about the beautiful guest house I stopped at during my stay at Keith.... Craighurst Guest House was just perfect, and I'm looking forward to my next visit!

http://www.craighurst-guesthouse.com/

Leamington Spa Sewing Machines runs an Horizon Test Drive Event!

Leamington Spa Sewing Machine is the best in the area for Janome Sewing, embroidery and quilting machines and accessories, and is also a haven for fabrics, wool and haberdashery since they bought Harlequin Fabrics a few years ago, and now both businesses are in the same shop on Oxford Street in the town centre. Sue Smith, the owner of Leamington Spa Sewing Machines and can be seen on the left below, has many years of experience in the sewing machine trade and runs many of the sewing classes herself on the lower floor of the shop. Check out their website for more details...http://www.leamingtonspasewing.co.uk/shop/page/1?shop_param=

The shop has a full range of dress fabrics, haberdashery and wools.

We had a great time in the Horizon workshop, and everyone loved checking out the features of the new Janome Horizon quilting machine... just check out the range of stitches!

Horizon Day @ Coventry Sewing Centre

Coventry Sewing Centre is the best in the area for Janome sewing, embroidery and quilting machines, and holds many Janome accessories in stock as well. They also have a full range of habberdashery and dress patterns and run weekly dressmaking and quilting classes... just check out there website for full details. http://www.covsew.co.uk
I visited the shop in September, to show some of the local sewers the new Janome Horizon and as you can see below, everyone was working hard on their Test Drive projects and enjoying using the new long armed quilting machine.

The large sewing space is a must for quilters, and any sewer who works on large projects will also appreciate this space!

Horizon Test Drive @ Jaycotts in Chester

Jaycotts are a family business and were established in 1920. See the team below, from left to right, Noel, John, Alex and Phil. They stock a full range of sewing items, from sewing machines and accessories to all kinds of haberdashery, dress forms and sewing gadgets and notions. Check out their website for full listings.
http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/ In September, I visited Jaycotts to run a Horizon Test Drive event in the shop, for ladies who were thinking of buying the new Janome Horizon... but needed to try out all the fantastic features first!

Everyone loved the machines... and a some had to take the machine home with them! We even had a test of how the Horn Cabinets would work with the machine... and I'm sure a few of the ladies will be back for a cabinet soon as well!

We played with the Janome Border Guide Foot, which is wonderful for keeping decorative stitches parallel, and a great way for keeping lines straight when stitching chenille!

The Horizon has a beautiful shiny suitcase as an optional extra... this is perfect for carrying your machine to workshops!