NEW DATES FOR 2014 The Sew-cial kicks off on the 9th Jan with a FREE drop in session to see what it's all about. No need to bring anything, I will provide all materials to make something small to take away- just come along, have a coffe and a chat and decide if you'd like to sign up for 6 sessions, starting the following week.

Victorian Decorations

Each week at The SEW-cial Nottingham we'll be making something different. This week was Victorian Decorations with paper and lace. 

The SEW-cial Derby has become more of a 'bring your own project' session. people have brought along make- up bags, aprons, knitting bags and I give them a helping hand with their idea. 

I'll be running a free open evening on the 9th Jan at the Cube Cafe in Derby, to come along, see what it's all about and decide whether you'd like to sign up!

Pop Up Centre SEW-cial Nottingham

The SEW-cial Nottingham kicked off at the pop up centre (10 Fletcher Gate) where my work is also for sale in Debbie Bryan's shop. I used the opportunity to style an area and use some of my many charity shop gems to display beads, scissors and all the other sewing equipment! People made little Christmas decorations whilst drinking mulled wine served by my trusty friend Jeeves!

  

THE SEW-CIAL Nottingham

Gingerbread men and smoothies!

Stockings, decorations, gingerbread men and advent calendars were all made last night, whilst drinking delicious home made smoothies and a bite to eat from the Cube Cafe- everyone went home with some finished sewn goodies! Pot stands, fabric bowls, and aprons are all lined up for the next few sessions.

Stockings and toucans!

Here's some of the goodies I'll be showing how to make tonight.

Nottingham SEW-cial

Excited that The SEW-cial will be starting in Nottingam's creative quarter in collaboration with Debbie Bryan's studio and shop. I'll be launching the concept at the new pop up shop on Fletcher gate on the 20th of November- this is a free event, 5.30-8pm, drop in and make a unique Christmas decoration. My work is also for sale- cushions, lamps and armchairs will all be on show. 

The SEW-cial will then be happening every Thursday for the next 3 weeks. 5.30-8pm tea and cake and all materials provided, £25 per session or £60 for 3. Contact info@lucyrenshaw.com to find out more or book your place at www.debbiebryan.co.uk

Many possibilities!

No matter what project I set at 

The SEW-cial everyone interprets them differently- which is what I love about sharing skills and ideas! This week fabric advent calendars were still being beavered away on- funky patch work ones with different embroidery techniques but also organised versions with thought out colour schemes- both look fantastic, and there are so many more options. 

This rather nice little gingerbread decoration was also sewn by one of the girls- I suggested she used an old jumper to make a lampshade last week- so really nice to see she's been inspired to do the same here!

I also started to teach some binding techniques and we talked through a few quilting and appliqué ideas.

Next week I'm taking along ideas for more fabric decorations and stockings.

Really need to get a move on with making Christmas stuff too- not just telling others what to do!

Festive making begins...already??

Tonight the SEW-cial ladies started on Christmas bits and bobs- you have to get cracking if you want to sew all your presents! 

My mock up of a fabric advent calendar wasn't exactly festive in colour, but gave a good starting point for ideas. 

Some of the ladies made a good start cutting out their pockets with miss match fabrics. Inbetween cups of tea and bites to eat from the Cube Cafe.

Lampshades, fabrics hearts and an IPhone case (which ended up being a make up bag, thanks to some ridiculously hard instructions by Cath Kidston- we were sure its so you give up and just buy her stuff!) were also made! 

Christmas theme

Tonight people began on a Christmas theme- my mock up of a fabric advent calendar wasn't exactly festive in colour, but gave a good starting point for ideas. I thought pockets were a nice idea to pop your own gift ideas, whether that's chocs or small decorations- each day being a different gift. Some of the girls made a good start cutting out their pockets with miss match fabrics. Lampshades, fabrics hearts and an IPhone case (which turned out to be a make up bag, thanks to some ridiculously hard instructions by Cath Kidston) were also made!

Coming up...

A bit of styling with my collection of junk shop black and white cups! Sew-cial goers will be making all sorts of Christmas bits over the next couple of months, including lavender creatures and hearts, Christmas decoration and advent calenders. They even have chance to put their skills to the test and make a selection of goodies to sell at the Deda Christmas fair http://www.deda.uk.com/

Next sessions start 7th Nov

A new set of Christmas SEW-cials will be starting on the 7th November. There has bee a lot of interest, and I'm thinking of running a second night with the lead up to Christmas- get in touch if you fancy saving some money and making some unique gifts. Contact me on info@lucyrenshaw.com people are bringing along Christmas projects, which I can help them with- stockings, gifts and this week a couple of the ladies are starting to make a fabric advent calender with pockets to hide your own advent treats.

POP UP SEW-cial

I'll be hosting a POP-UP Sew-cial at the Fabulous Places Christmas Market- derbyshirechristmasmarket.co.uk/christmas-market-workshops/ The Round House Derby, 16th 17th Nov. I am begining to take a slight change of direction in my work, I've always loved putting fabrics and colours together and collecting unusual bits and bobs for my home, so this event is a chance for me to show case my ideas and put my collections together to style a room. Cocktails will be served by my trusty friend Jeeves, brought from a carboot a few months ago- he's the perfect height for holding a glass of wine whist I sew! Delicious cakes will be provided by Yummy Little Cakes and your'll have the chance to either make some of these crafty creatures for a garland or Christmas decs, or design and make a lampshade with knitted fabrics, beads, buttons and other 'stuff'.

Lots of projects

A few pics of completed projects, we've done all sorts from kiddies clothes to cushions to lampshades.