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Summer Workshops at Millie Moon

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As the Sun is finally shining, we can start to think about summer holidays and festival season. As with previous years, we are again lucky enough to be at Glastonbury festival next week. The shop is in the safe hands of Phoebe and Angela so please pop in and say hi.

We have now sold out of the Glastonbury fabric for this year, it will be back for 2025! But there are couple of the cross stitch kits still available. If you would like to pre-order the Glastonbury fabric please get in touch!

Workshops

We have some great workshops this summer and we have some very exciting new ones coming up in the Autumn including a couple to support sustainable fashion week in September.

And don’t forget Kids club, teen club, Sewcial club and 1-1 sessions are available. You can book online or pop into the shop.

July Workshops 

Sunday 6th​​ Independent market and pattern swap weekend!

Monday 8th​​ Kids Club

Tuesday 9th​ ​6 Week Garment making  Evening Course with Anna
Is it time to update that wardrobe? Then look no further!. Just bring your fabric and a pattern that you’d like to create and professional seamstress and dressmaking tutor Anna will walk you through the process at your own pace. Small groups mean lots of attention for everyone. This is suitable for beginners to dressmaking that have basic sewing machine skills or intermediates who want to try a more advanced project or home in on existing skills.​
6:30-8:30pm £198

Thursday 11th ​Sewcial Club

Sunday 14th ​Make a pair of elastic waist shorts or trousers in a day with Anna
Join Anna for a one day workshop where you will make either a pair of elastic waist shorts, ¾ length or full length trousers in your own fabric. Basic machine skill needed but perfect for a first dressmaking project with guided help in a small group. The Perfect add on to your summer wardrobe.
10-2pm £72

August Workshops

Sunday 4th Independent market day and pattern swap

Thursday 8th The Sewcial Club

Monday 12th Kids Club age 7+

Sunday 18th Teen Club

September Workshops

Sunday 1st The independent market and pattern swap

Wednesday 4th 2 week Beginners Pattern Cutting- with Justine
You will learn what pattern cutting is and how to make a bodice block fitted to you. To skip a lot of maths and headaches, you will be using the standard size blocks (sizes 8-24) to make a toile. Then fit these to yourself before using this to adjust the block to create one that’s a perfect fit for you. Then Justine will explain how you can use this block to create patterns that fit you beautifully going forward.
6-8pm £70 2 week (all materials included)

Monday 9th Kids Club 7+

Thursday 12th The Sewcial club

Sunday 15th Make a Kimono in a day with Justine
If you have always wanted to make your very own kimono, this workshop is for you. Workshop available for anyone who knows how to use a sewing machine, has some good sewing basics & has made some clothes before ​This kimono is unlined, has an under arm opening and long open sleeves.
10-4pm £100 includes lunch ( no materials included)

Sunday 22nd Teen Club

Tuesday 24th 6 week garment making with Anna
Bring your fabric and pattern and let Anna guide you through the process at your pace with lots of helpful tips and advice along the way. Small groups mean lots of attention for everyone. This is suitable for beginners with basic machine skills or intermediates who want to try a more advanced project.
6.30-8.30pm £198 6 weeks (no materials included)

Sustainable fashion week 20-29th September

Tuesday 24th Mending and Alterations with Anna
Broken zip, missing a button, hem coming down? Don’t throw it away, let Anna show you how to fix it!
4.15-6.15pn £36

Sunday 29th Visable mending with Skye @slowstitchclub
Morning workshop – Sashiko
slow stitch club teaches the art of visible mending using simple and traditional sewing techniques to repair clothing in a creative, visible and intentional way. In this 3 hour workshop we will look at the best ways to repair denim and woven fabrics. This workshop is suitable for beginners and sewing enthusiasts alike.
10-1pm £48 (includes materials)

Afternoon workshop – darning
In this 3 hour workshop we will look at the best ways to repair knitwear using darning. We will look at all the equipment you need to start darning and cover tips and tricks to help along the way. Skye will run through the most popular darning methods such as woven darns, honeycomb darns and scotch darns which we’ll test out on sample fabrics before moving on to repairing your favourite knits. This workshop is suitable for beginners and sewing enthusiasts alike
2-5pm £48 (inlcudes materials)

October Workshops

Sunday 6th Independent market day and pattern swap

Sunday 13th Make a merchant and mills pattern in a day with Anna
Make a garment from a Merchant and Mills sewing pattern in day with help from professional seamstress and dressmaking tutor Anna Vickery. Learn as you go, everything from measuring, laying out and cutting to constructing, altering and finishing your garment. Suitable for beginner and progressing dressmakers, please be confident using your sewing machine. Choose a Merchant and Mills pattern (included) and bring your own fabric, notions, sewing machine and tools.
10-5pm £115 (includes Pattern no fabric )

Monday 14th Kids Club 7+

Thursday 17th The Sewcial club

Sunday 20th – Make a summer shirt in a day with Justine
This workshop will allow you to make a complete summer shirt in one day. Shirts may look difficult to sew because they have so many details in them, but this one has been refined to the minimum. Workshop available for anyone who knows how to use a sewing machine, has some sewing basics, has made some clothes before and wants to make a first shirt. This summer shirt has very simple lines. A boxy shape with a dropped armholes, short sleeves and an open collar, four buttonholes and buttons. Equally cool when worn open on a dress or closed on a pair of jeans.
10-4pm £100 (No materials included)

Sunday 27th – Teen Club

 

For more information head over to our workshop page on the website  BOOK HERE

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the summer, and hope to see you soon

Rachel and Becki

xxx

March madness

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Finally, as we leap into March (happy birthday to all you leaplings!), the mornings are starting to get a little lighter and the evenings are getting a little longer. Spring is just around the corner… and then it snows! Yes, today in Somerset we have had a lovely sprinkling of snow. Hmm… what to wear, what to make?

But March it is, and with it brings the return of the Frome independent market, new workshops and new fabrics at Millie Moon.

Tomorrow is the first market of the year, and our pattern swap box will be back out.  For those who are unfamiliar with the swap, you can bring in any pattern you no longer use, didn’t like or never opened and swap it for one in the box.  If there is nothing you want this month we will give you a token to have a look another time.   All we ask is that all the pieces are still useable, the front is marked with the size cut and the instructions are included. Come along and have a rummage. We have a variety of small project patterns, vintage patterns, and dressmaking patterns.

New in for spring!

We have had lots of deliveries over the last few weeks. Here are a few of the new arrivals to tempt you back to sewing this spring. From lovely delicate Indian cottons, to soft cosy Dashwood needlecord, we have something for all weathers and all wardrobes. We have also had a restock of the Merchant and Mills patterns, including the new Ludlow, Sanda and Margo, (perfect for Annas’ next garment making workshop). Keep an eye out for new samples coming soon!


 

Workshops in March 

 

KIDS CLUB 7+ years

Sewing tutor Claire is a local teacher, author, beach cleaner and self confessed crafty mess maker! Once a month, kids sewing club make a new project learning valuable hand sewing skills whilst having fun!

This month is Mad March Monsters! Next month they are making Wererabbits and carrot bunnies! Sign up online or in the shop. 

 

12th march 6 week     Sewing your own clothes skills sessions

Dressmaking tutor Anna is back with a new evening class.

Anna has created a series of workshops to cover all areas of dressmaking in more detail. Rather than working on one project, you will learn a different technique and skill each week. Whether you are a beginner or just a bit rusty then the tips and techniques in this masterclass will enable you to go on and produce beautiful garments.

Expect to make lots of samples, take away clear notes and practise the skills to build up your confidence .

sessions include:

  • Introduction to paper patterns
  • Zips and buttonholes
  • Hems & Seam Finishes
  • Working with stretch and overlocker demonstration
  • altering patterns
  • making a garment from your favourite garment
  • mending and alterations

 

12th march      6 week garment making 

Dressmaking tutor Anna is back with the her popular 6 week evening class.

Bring your fabric and pattern and let Anna guide you through the process at your pace with lots of helpful tips and advice along the way. Small groups mean lots of attention for everyone. This is suitable for beginners with basic machine skills or intermediates who want to try a more advanced project.

 

*these workshops do not include pattern or fabric. You are welcome to purchase these from Millie Moon with a 10% discount.

 

24th march     1-1 Using your overlocker 

New overlocker still in the box?  Forgotten how to thread it? Are you stuck on a project and in need of some sewing tips? Do you need a refresh on how to use a certain technique?

Whether you’re a complete beginner, or a more experienced sewer in need of a fresh pair of eyes and some tips, Anna’s 1-1 overlocker workshops could be the perfect solution for you!

In these sessions, our dressmaking tutor Anna, will be able to answer all of your sewing queries and problems. Just bring along your overlocker for that personal help.

 

 

If you have any questions about workshops or cant see what you want then please just get in touch

Hope you to see you  for market or maybe a workshop

Rachel and Becki

xxx

Festival Season is here!

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Hi Hello to you all,

Welcome to sunny June! What fabulous weather we have been having. Let’s hope it lasts for the Summer.

We are getting in to festival season, which for us at the shop means Glastonbury is nearly here! It’s Just  a few miles down the road for us and we love all the build up and excitement in the area as Somerset prepares for the festival.

This year we have been really lucky to have the new Glastonbury fabric By Kool Kactus arrive (and sell out) in the shop.  Kool Kactus is the very creative and talented artist, Millie Noble (Becki’s daughter). Millie’s fabrics are fan art inspired and range from famous faces, films, retro toys and now an incredible glasto fest design. Millie’s designs are unique and exclusive to us at Millie Moon.  The Glasto fabric includes all the highlights and memories of the festival, from the iconic ribbon tower, to the decorated bins and of course the long drop toilets. This fabric is 100% cotton 150cm wide and is £20 per metre

We have currently sold out of this again! But we will be placing another order. Can’t guarantee it will be here before the festival now, but if you would like to order any please drop us an email and we will add you to the wait list.

PRE ORDER

We have also had a delivery of the fantastic festival cross stitch kits by @thrillingletter. These festival kits make great gifts for fans of the festival or just to do whilst watching it on the tele.

Kits £18

Need to dress up, embellish that outfit or just add some colour to your festival wardrobe we have feathers, sparkles, ribbons and trims perfect for some up-cycling that old denim jacket.

From £1 per metre 

NEW RUBY STAR!

In non festival news, but continuing the summer vibes, just arrived in the shop are these beautiful new ruby star cottons. “Reading Nook” and by Sarah Watts is a collection of soft colours and neutral backgrounds. The prints include, cats, books, flowers and tea celebrating a Perfect afternoon sitting in the sun reading a book. These are all 100% cotton and 112/44’ wide £18per metre

There is also a canvas cotton with the purple cat print which is £24pm

 New Ruby Star 

We have also had a restock on the Merchant and Mills Linens and patterns. You cant beat linen for the summer and these are just such amazing colours.  There is a new colour  “Dorset blue”. We also have  the new patterns are in stock including the men’s range.

MM linens and patterns

 

SUMMER WORKSHOPS at Millie Moon

Looking for a new skill, inspired the Sewing bee? Want to make or mend your own clothes? We have a workshop for you.

9th July – Darning with Skye £42

9th July – Sashiko with Skye £42

16th July – Beginners Patchwork and Quilting with Lucy £95

23rd July – Stretch garment making day with Anna £115

25th July – 6 week beginners evening dressmaking class £198

13th August – Garment in a day! – with Anna £115

For more information go to the website, you can book online or in person at the shop

Book here 

 

Have a wonderful Summer whatever you are doing and wherever you are travelling.

Keep sewing, keep smiling and enjoy the sunshine 

Rachel and Becki  xxx 

Workshops in Bath and Bradford on Avon!

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We are so excited to announce our new collaboration with JULIA DAVEY And CASSIA COLLECTIVE in Bath and Bradford on Avon!
Make a Merchant & Mills garment in a day with help from professional seamstress and dressmaking tutor Anna Vickery. Suitable for all levels of sewers, you will learn as you go with everything from measuring, laying out and cutting to constructing, altering and finishing your garment. This event is being held at both Cassias (different dates).

All bookings for these workshops should be made through eventbrite, and not through millie moon.   Please click on the link below for each location


About this event

Make a garment from a Merchant and Mills sewing pattern in day with help from professional seamstress and dressmaking tutor Anna Vickery.

Learn as you go, everything from measuring, laying out and cutting to constructing, altering and finishing your garment. Suitable for beginner and progressing dressmakers, please be confident using your sewing machine.

Choose a Merchant and Mills pattern (included) and bring your own fabric, notions, sewing machine and tools (Anna can be contacted with any questions) patterns are supplied via Millie Moon shop in Frome, we also suggest checking out their fabric selection.

Work at your own pace in a small group and let Anna guide you through the process with lots of helpful tips and advice along the way.

(*If you want to finish your garment we suggest choosing a beginner/intermediate pattern, such as The Dress Shirt, The Camber Set, The Trapeze, The Fielder, The Hattie and Ellis or The 101 Trousers, but all are available, www.milliemoonshop.co.uk)

BRADFORD ON AVON 

Saturday 23rd July 2022

Cassia Bradford on Avon

Kingston Road

Bradford on Avon

BA15 1AB

10-3pm

£75*

Book this event here 

*this does not include fabric and notions. You are welcome to purchase these from Millie Moon with a 10% discount. 

 

BATH

Saturday 13th August 2022

Cassia – Bath Riverside

Sovereign Point

Bath

BA2 3GJ

10-3pm

£75*

Book this event here 

*this does not include fabric and notions. You are welcome to purchase these from Millie Moon with a 10% discount. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

me made may 2019

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It’s that time again and this year Millie Moon has decided to get involved.

Millie Moon is asking you all, whether you have bought fabric, a pattern, a button or attended a workshop to shout about it! Show your work on instagram/facebook using the hashtags and be in with a chance to win a £25 gift voucher!

All you have to do is:

  • Share your makes on instagram in MAY.
  • Tag us @milliemoonshop so we can see the post
  • Tag a friend so they can get involved too
  • Use #memademay2019
  • Use #makewithmilliemoon

We will pick our favourite each week in May and send you a £25 gift voucher to spend on your next make! 4 vouchers to win!

We even got some fab badges from @koolKactus for you to buy £2 so you can shout about it some more!

 

 

So what is it? For those of you who haven’t taken part before then here are the details from http://www.simplysewingmag.com

So, what’s it all about?

It’s that time of year when our instagram feeds are filled with handmade goodness for #memademay and this year marks the 10th year of the popular makers challenge. If you’re new to Me Made May, get ready to join a huge community of fellow sewists!

Me-Made-May (or #memademay2019 as it’s also known on instagram) is an annual challenge for people who make their own clothes, launched by blogger and maker Zoe EdwardsSo, Jo.

The idea is to encourage makers to develop a better relationship with their handmade wardrobe, by asking them to pledge to rethink how they wear their garments throughout the month of May.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve only made one skirt ever or have a wardrobe bursting at the seams – everyone can set their own individual pledge. The challenge aims to get you to wear your me-mades more often and more thoughtfully – to learn some useful lessons about yourself, your style, your body, your creativity along the way.

What started as a solo project has grown into an annual phenomenon, with sewists, knitters, crocheters and refashioners all wearing their handmade wardrobes with pride. If you like the sound of it, it’s not too late to sign up for the 2019 challenge. Remember this is not a photography competition – or an instagram photo challenge – so don’t be daunted!

Your pledge can be as simple or tricky as you want it to be, but it’s a great opportunity to move beyond your comfort zone or level up how you wear the garments you have spent hours crafting.

The goal should be to think about your relationship with what you create.

http://www.simplysewingmag.com

 

             

Sew Saturday and Sew Sunday! – Join us to celebrate independent fabric stores in the UK

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Join us for the nation’s ‘stitchiest’ event of the year! Sew Saturday is back for 2017, taking place on the 21st of October and this year we promise to give you more than ever before…

All over the country, people will be celebrating the independent fabric stores and haberdashers thanks to a national campaign organised by “Sew” Magazine, so show your love for local bricks and mortar businesses and come along and join in the fun!

This year we wanted to make Sew Saturday a little more special than usual so we have decided to run it over the whole weekend!

Sew Saturday (21st October)

Special offers, discounts, prize draw and cakes, plus a workshop for Teens!

For teens age 11+ Sewing machine workshop with Vickie making zipped pouches 10.30-12.30 £20 including materials and refreshments

(basic machine skills essential)                                     BOOK HERE

 

Sew Sunday (22nd October)      

A day of mini workshops and cake! What more you could you want?

The day will take place at the shop from 10am to 2pm          BOOK NOW

During the day there will be 3 mini workshops with our tutors  Anna, Angela and Paula where you will make ALL 3 different projects, which you can take away with you, all great gift ideas. There will also be plenty of tea and cake to keep you going.

Workshops include –

Anna- Peter Pan collars

Angela – Freemotion embroidery Christmas cards

Paula – Hand embroidered buttons and brooches

We are hoping the day will give you an idea of what we do in our workshops, meet the tutors and generally have a good day sewing.

Tickets for the Sunday event are limited so book early!                    BOOK HERE

£45 per person for the day, including all materials and refreshments – age 16+

 

If you would like any further information on any of the events being held over this weekend please contact us

info@milliemoonshop.co.uk  or call 01373 464437

 

See you there!

 

Say hi to Anna our Dressmaking tutor

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This weeks blog post is all about our dressmaking tutor Anna Vickery…

I studied Fashion Design at The University of the West of England in Bristol, and graduated with a Ba(hons) in 2005. During my time at university I was selected to exhibit at Graduate Fashion week in London and at The RWA in Bristol. My degree covered many areas including design, pattern cutting and sample development, garment construction, illustration, technical drawing, styling, business, visual culture and contextual studies. I was really lucky that at the time the course covered lots of technical stuff, which now put together with 12 years industry experience I am pleased to pass on what I can to Millie Moon workshoppers.

After university I started my career as a Junior Designer for a specialist company which design and produce heavy duty leather and textile products, mainly for the Police and Armed Forces. It was very much ‘in at the deep end’ but great experience – if I could work with leather on heavy machinery I can sew anything….
Along the way I have also worked for a luxury leather brand and a floral designer – I always seem to pick nice/tempting products to work with, including being at Millie Moon, trying to resist new fabric every week!

I also currently work with amazing Womenswear and Bridal designer Alexandra King. I met Alexandra at university and now help her create handmade clothing and accessories for women worldwide from her Wells shop and studio. We design and make every garment, mostly dresses, in house and strongly believe in traditional craftsmanship and service. I am mainly involved with the actual making of the dresses, it may surprise you to know that despite my background in ‘design’ I hate drawing, so we work well together – Alexandra is an inspiration. www.alexandra-king.com

 

Since school/college/university and beyond my influences have come from twentieth century art, media and design. We’ve had a crazy busy year for wedding dresses, so my personal projects have taken a bit of a hit, but I’ve recently made a few tops from the new jersey and lace fabrics from Millie Moon, given my spare room a little make over with a new lampshade and cushions and I’ve got one of the new Merchant and Mills patterns ready and waiting for the perfect material.

 

I’ve been leading workshops for Millie Moon for 5 years now, where does the time go! – it’s great to be able to share skills in such a colourful and creative environment, plus I absolutely love coming over to Frome. My workshops mainly run on Tuesdays, coming up in the next few weeks I’ve got baby bloomers, peter pan collars, kids dungaree dress making and garter making. My 6 week dressmaking evening class is always popular and I’ve met some great people over the years, I’ve also just launched a 4 week dressmaking ‘master class’ which will run again later in the summer.

I am happy to offer 1-1 sewing/dressmaking tuition, how to get the most from your Overlocker sessions and I’ve also been known to help out with the odd Hen party.

For more information about Annas next workshops email us info@milliemoonshop.co.uk or take a look on the website  or you can follow Anna on Facebook and twitter

Anna has aslo designed her own range of children clothes patterns. Tested and tried in the workshops, these patterns are great for all sewers. Patterns range from ages 1-5 or 3-12 years. All available in store and on the website.

Anna chats about working with the new lace and jersey fabric

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Hello! I’m back from holiday (we were very lucky with the weather, I’m glad it wasn’t this week!) and as promised here’s a little more about making my new t shirts from the lace and jersey materials…

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I didn’t use paper patterns for the t shirts, instead I made patterns from t shirts I have and like – making your own patterns in this way is surprisingly easy, especially with stretch materials/looser fits which require little or no shaping, they are basically just 2 pieces – a front and a back! Just lay the garments out flat and draw around onto dressmakers tracing paper, adding seam allowances at the sides, shoulders and where needed for hems/necklines.

 

The main seams on the jersey t shirt were put together on my overlocker, using 4 threads/2 needles – overlockers are the best for sewing stretch, although you can do it without one by using a small zig zag stitch. I overlocked and turned the sleeve and waist hems, topstitching on my regular sewing machine, with a ballpoint needle of course! My machine doesn’t really like using twin needles so I didn’t push my luck, but if yours does this would be ideal. I made matching jersey binding for the neckline – did you know stretch binding doesn’t have to be cut on the bias? The jersey handled really well, it does tend to stretch out a little as you work with it and you have to be careful not to pull it out of shape, but I was pleased with how it springs back into shape if you steam as you go along.

 

 

The Lace t shirt is based on a cream one I’ve worn loads, it’s unlined and you wear a vest top underneath. To make it neat as it’s sheer I french seamed the shoulder and side seams. For the hem I trimmed around the edge of a scallop in the lace – this is some thing I often do with bridal dresses, it’s a bit fiddly cutting along the motif and you have to test to check it will not unravel, but it gives a lovely delicate finish and shows off the lace. I also did something similar for the sleeve and neck bindings, which I machined on and then hand stitched along the motif edges so there is no topstitching showing.

The t shirts were quick and easy to make and have washed well, I’m particularly impressed with the jersey as it is a really nice in between weight and isn’t at all see through. Next up I’ve got some of the lace in yellow ready to make a skirt, although I think Becki has beaten me to it…..

 

Anna x