English Couture Company Open Day!!!

Have you ever fancied learning how to make stunning tailored trousers, a gorgeous boned bodice, or the perfect size bra.... but a little nervous of getting started and signing up to a workshop? Well, this is the day for you!Michelle Pye will host an open day at her shop and training centre, English Couture Company in Syston, Leicestershire on Saturday 4th February 9am - 1pm.This is an informal opportunity to meet Michelle, have a look around the classroom and shop, and enjoy and lovely cup of tea and maybe a little something sweet as well.
Michelle has been teaching tailoring, dressmaking and lingerie courses for 12 years and moved into her current premises in June 2010. The shop stocks a huge range of couture fusible interfacing, interlinings, lingerie fabrics and haberdashery... if Michelle doesn't stock it, it's not worth having!
Her fully equipped classroom has everything you might need to make your perfect trousers, bra or even wedding dress... including Janome 6600p... one of our most popular professional sewing machines.
For more information, check out English Couture Company website, facebook page and twitter.

New sewing studio opens in Yorkshire.... The Design Suite!

I met Angela Feather a few weeks ago at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate, and I'm so glad I did! She told me all about her new venture, The Design Suite, which is based in Tockwith, roughly half way between Weatherby and York.
Angela was first inspired to sew by her Grandmother, who lived next door to the family home in New Zealand. Her Grandma would always be making her the latest fashions, and soon Angela got the sewing bug! At first using her Grandma's sewing machine, she finally got her own at age 12... and has never stopped sewing since!
After moving back to the UK, Angela studied textiles for five years, first with a Art & Design Course at York College and then Foundation Degree at Cleveland College of Art and Design in Hartlepool.
It was after this training, she realised there was a definite lack of suitable facilities in the area she lived..... and The Design Suite was born!

The Design Suite is made up of three studios, Studio One, Two and Print Studio.

Studio One has a gorgeous relaxed feel, with confortable seating and inspiring surroundings. This Studio is for the sewing and craft workshops, and can be hired for your own use for £50 half day.
Studio Two, is more formal, and is designed mainly for meetings and talks. It can be hired for your own use for £25 per hour.

The Print Studio is an open plan area to allow space for screen printing on fabric and wallpaper.Angela is running workshops in various subjects from dressmaking - basic and advanced, design and pattern cutting, free machine embroidery techniques, Christmas crafts, book binding, knitting, bunting making, and fashion drawing.
You don't need to take your own sewing machine to workshops, as the Studios have their own Janome Sewing Machines for you to use... and tea, coffee and cake is included with every workshop!
I can't wait to go and visit the Studio's in the New Year, and soak up the creative atmosphere... maybe a cuppa and cake...and hopefully join in with a little sewing while I'm there!

For more information on The Design Suite, visit their website, Twitter and Facebook page, and full list for workshops click here.

If you don't live in the Yorkshire area, why not check out our full list of recommended Janome Learning Centres all over the UK.

Would you like to make a Kate Middleton Bridal Gown??

Now, I'm sure all of you must have seen the wedding dress that everyones talking about??
Even people who I have chatted to, who didn't intend to watch the wedding of the decade... did... and more to the point... enjoyed it!Kate, or Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge wore the most gorgeous lace dress designed by Sarah Burton. The style was Grace Kelly esk, and after I did some research on Google, I found the lace was all made in the UK. One company based only a few miles from my home, Cluny Lace in Ilkeston, Nottingham still make Nottingham lace on old lace looms to old designs and patterns, click here to read more about Cluny Lace. Much of the lace on the dress was made by The Royal School of Needlework based at Hampton Court. Click here to read more about their involvement.
So, now we have read a little about Kate's dress.... would you like to make your own wedding dress? (of course, handmade lace from Hampton Court is optional!)
Alison Victoria from the School of Sewing in Ashby de la Zouch runs Bridal Dressmaking workshops several times a year.
Their most recent course was only a few weeks after the Royal Wedding, and knowing that the Royal Wedding would be such an influence on future Brides, Alison made a sample gown similar to Kate's dress to show some of the techniques used.


Alison's unique three day workshop teaches you all you need to know about the bridal business and the making of bridal wear, whether it be on a personal or professional level. The construction of the gown will be discussed in detail and samples will be made that relate to interlined couture boned bodices with a draped overlay, netted skirts, concealed zips, hemlines and much more.

No longer will the dress have wrinkly bodices or droopy skirts. You will also produce samples that relate to veils, and bridal favours. Information will be given regarding stockists and suppliers and pricing your gowns. This workshop is a must for all of those planning a wedding or those in the bridal business.

If you would like more information on Alison's dressmaking courses, please see her website for full information, or why not follow them on Facebook?

Why not have a look at the Cluny Lace website too?