Hi people!!
how is the week going so far after a long weekend? It was not long enough, right? 😉 I spent mine trying to get rid off a nasty cold that has become my “best friend” for the last three weeks… Grrrr, so tired of it! But hopefully the antibiotics will play their magic. Let’s see. Anyway, if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you maybe saw that I managed, between painkillers and lemon teas, to squeeze a mini sewing project. A make-up bag made with a PVC fabric designed by Donna Wilson (one of my favorite designers ever!) and that I bought at John Lewis (even though I prefer buying from independent haberdasheries, sometimes it is difficult to actually find one! And the fourth floor at Oxford Street is a kind of paradise for me, hahaha).
For this (still prototype, as it was my first time using PVC and my sewing machine was not very happy about it) of a make-up bag, I used a very simple and straightforward pattern that I got at one of the first workshops I attended some years ago here in London from Sew Over It. This beautiful sewing/café/fabric/haberdashery store, leaded by talented seamstress Lisa Comfort (you can follow her 50s inspired style here), opened its doors in Clapham in 2011, and now they have just opened their second store in Islington! (you will recognize it by its lovely violet outside).
Lisa, at her Islington store
The Clapham store
The classes (around 8 people, so there are plenty of possibilities to learn a lot and ask if you get lost. And you do when you are learning) are divided by levels. From intro to sewing for absolute beginners (there you will learn the make-up bag), to a 1960s coat project for advance sewers (I want to do this one for next winter), you will find a great range of workshops to learn how to sew a cushion, make a pair of pyjama bottoms or to clone your own clothes.
Also, they have what they call The Sewing Café for intermediate and more advance sewers. For £6 an hour, you can use the sewing machines at Sew Over It (reeeeally good janomes and, oh yeah, overlockers), if you don’t want to be all by yourself at home, and also drink all the tea you want! 🙂 Just check in advance for the hours in which the service is available (only some along the week).
Janomes for everybody!!!
Clapham Store
78 Landor Road
London
SW9 9PH
Islington Store
36A Myddelton Street
London
EC1R 1UA
Other sewing workshops
As I live in London, I only know about places here and around (and some in Spain), so here are other sewing workshops you may want!
_ The Makery (Bath). They also organize workshops at John Lewis, Oxford Street.
_ The Thrifty Stitcher (London). Based in super cool Stoke Newington, East London. Visit the area before one of their great sewing classes (intro to Dressmaking or 1-2-1 tuitions. It has amazing stores!
_ Liberty Sewing School (London). What better than enjoying a sewing class with some beautiful and lovely Liberty fabrics?
What are your favourite workshops wherever you live? Which ones have you attended and which levels? What did you do? Can’t wait to read your answers!!
Happy sewing and crafting!!
Ana