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Festival Season is here!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
Summer workshops at Millie Moon
Hi Hello to you all,
So it’s been a bit of a damp spring so far, so we have decided to look forward to all the bank holidays and hopefully some sunshine in May. However you are spending the extra holidays, we hope you have some fun! Sorry to all those of you that have to work. After many years in retail, we both know how hard it is working weekends and bank holidays when everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves. (But, don’t worry when they all go back to work, the sun will shine and it will be your day off!)
We have had the deliveries of all the lovely new fabrics we promised. The new rayons, dobby and chambrays are gorgeous for the summer season. We are now waiting for the fabulous Merchant and Mills linens to arrive back in stock. We’ve also had a lovely delivery of The Assembly Line Patterns and the latest edition of Tauko magazine has arrived. Perfect for that inspiration.
Fabric Godmother Rayons, crepes and lawns – Buy here
Pastel Chambrays – Buy here
Workshops for Summer
May- August
Never used a sewing machine before? Want to be more sustainable and not add to the fast fashion? Maybe you need to find something to do with all those baby clothes you kept? We have a workshop for you
NEW WORKSHOP!
Join Becki on this brand new beginners workshop. This 3 week evening class is designed for those that are complete beginners to a Sewing Machine. Learn the basic skills for sewing alongside making some simple projects to take home. All equipment and machines are here at Mille Moon for you to use and the price includes your choice of fabrics for each of your projects so no need to bring anything! This class will give you the foundations in machine sewing that you will feel confident to go onto one of the other classes, maybe dressmaking or patchwork.
Starts Tuesday 23rd may for 3 weeks 6-8pm £115 book now
other Summer workshops available:
21st May – Beginners quilting and patchwork ,with Lucy @tuckitinquilts
23rd May- Beginners machine sewing course, with Becki
9th July – Darning and Sashiko visible mending with Skye
16th July – Beginners Quilting and patchwork with Lucy
23rd July- Stretch garment making with Anna
25th July – 6 week evening class , beginners dressmaking with Anna
13th August – Garment making workshop – make a merchant and mills pattern in a day with Anna (images below)
For more information go to the website or Book here
We also offer 1-1 sessions, whether you need help with getting to grips with your overlocker, or just some dressmaking advice. We also have our regular clubs running –
2nd Monday of the month – kids club with Claire and Ammie
2nd Thursday of the month – Sewcial Club with Becki
last Sunday of the month – Teens dressmaking club with Anna
Images from “Garment in a day! Make a Merchant and Mills pattern in a day workshop with Anna
Sewcial Club,
This monthly open shop night is designed to bring our lovely customers together over tea and cake, but also giving people a chance to use our space and machines that they may not have access to at home. Come regularly and chat, sew and share your tips with each other or just come and finish that little sewing job you’ve been unable to do before. We do ask you book in advance so there’s plenty of space and cake for everyone!
Time 5.30-7.30pm £6 per person on 2nd Thursday of every month.
next one will be 9th march Book here
Keep sewing and a big thanks, as always, for supporting our small independent business. Our April pattern review will be out of next week! Hopefully see you soon in the shop, at the independent market, on a workshop or maybe at our Sewcial club,
Rachel and Becki xx
Patchwork and Quilting at Millie Moon
Its that time of year when we start looking for that winter project. The one to do whilst we hibernate away until spring.
Now, not sure if this will be the same this year, as we have all been in a forced hibernation for too long, but if you are looking for the winter project, how about having a go at patchwork and quilting.
Caroline our patchwork tutor is back with a one day workshop in October. Perfect time to learn the basics and then carry on at home. The one day workshop, “a quilt in day’ is exactly as it says.
You will learn how to cut, piece, join, boarder, layer and bind so you take away a finished simple quilt in a day. Plus Caroline will be on hand with lots of little hints and tips!
The finished quilt will be approximately 1mtr x 1mtr, a great little lap quilt. (Maybe the perfect Christmas gift for someone?)
£120
The workshop includes all the materials and lunch is provided.
Machine and equipment are available to use but if you prefer to bring your own please do.
The workshop is 10-4pm Sunday 24th October. You can book online or call into the shop.
If you don’t feel like signing up to a workshop but would like to have a go at home, we have lots of patchwork and quilt materials in stock including.
- Pre-cuts charm packs, Jelly rolls and layer cakes from MODA
- Wadding in 100% cotton and ‘supersoft’ polyester
- 505 Spray
- Rulers, rotary cutters and cutting mats
- Cotton thread and Perle 8
- Quilt clips, curved safety pins, quilt needles (machine and hand)
- Quilt in a box kits
So why not have a go!
Book online here or pop into the shop for more details.
New Patchwork and Quilting classes with Kelly for 2018
Learn to Quilt
As we are now marching on into November and I thought I would skip right ahead to 2018! Have you thought about your goals for the New Year yet? I am already turning my thoughts to them and they include more quality family time, more quilting and less DIY! Well, if you are thinking you would like to learn to quilt or develop your quilting skills then now might be a good time to think about it. I will be teaching some quilting workshops at Millie Moon and thought I would share the details with you. A workshop booking or a gift voucher also make a fab present if you know someone else who might like to have a go at quilting
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Here is a little summary of my workshops at the beginning of 2018:
I will be running a series of short masterclasses in quilting. There are three dates in the series and you can either book for one session (£25) or we are offering a discount if you book all three (£65 for all). These will take place on a Thursday between 10.30 and 12.30. On 25 January I will be teaching participants to use a rotary cutter, cut patchwork pieces and sew them together. On 1 February I will show quilters how to put together the three layers of a quilt and then different quilting techniques. Finally on 8 February I will be teaching you how to cut, make and attach binding. This is something that I think frequently stops people from actually finishing a quilt so why not come and learn how to finish that precious make!
On Saturday 27 January I am re-running my popular quilted cushion cover workshop. Quilters will learn to cut patchwork pieces, construct the top of the cushion, quilt a simple design and finish a beautiful cushion cover.
On Saturday 24 February I am running a new workshop where participants will make a mini quilt. This is an opportunity to start and finish a quilt all in one day and learn all of the basic skills you will need to go on and make a bigger quilt at home. This will include cutting, piecing, quilting and binding.
And if you can’t wait until 2018 why not join me on 25 November 2017 to make a quilted Christmas stocking. BOOK NOW
Teaching my first workshop at Millie Moon by Kelly Diggle
I recently taught my first workshop at Millie Moon after dreaming about becoming a tutor. I designed a pattern for a quilted cushion cover and was joined by three lovely ladies for the day. I absolutely loved this experience and Marilyn, Val and Margaret all did a fantastic job, each making a great cushion cover.
It was wonderful to spend the day with this enthusiastic group and see how each of their fabric choices worked with the pattern. Everyone was new to working with a rotary cutter so the first part of the day focused on developing cutting skills. The participants then learned to construct patchwork pieces, learnt how to put the three layers of a quilt together and then had a go at quilting their creations. Finally they turned their quilted piece into a cushion cover.
Everyone left with a finished cushion and took away a pattern, complete with photographs, to enable them to have another go at home
I am so grateful to Becki and Rachel at Millie Moon for allowing this dream of mine to become a reality and I have been busy planning a few more workshops for the autumn. Why not come and have a go at some patchwork and quilting!
I am teaching an introduction to English paper piecing on 22 September, where participants will learn the basics of this traditional method and then use their finished piece to applique a denim bag (which you’ll also make).
On 28 October I will be teaching a patchwork drawstring bag. This is a great opportunity to learn to cut pieces using a rotary cutter, construct patchwork and then make a lined drawstring bag.
Finally, I am offering a quilted stocking workshop on 25 November. I am trying not to use the ‘C’ word here but I have to confess I have already been playing with festive fabrics and have started planning my handmade gifts. The fabrics I have used here in the stocking are by Dashwood and available from Millie Moon
If you are interested in booking a place you can do this through the website by clicking here workshop or call the shop on 01373 464437. I am also able to offer a limited number of 1:2:1 sessions if you want help with a specific quilting project. Drop me an email to alittlesewandsow@gmail.com to find out more.
New Tutor, Kelly, talks about her love for Patchwork and Quilting
By day I am a professional Fundraiser and I use my spare time as my creative outlet. I had participated in the compulsory sewing at school and was fairly uninspired but knew I had a creative streak waiting in the wings to find the right craft. After dabbling with many different crafts in 2011, I decided to have a go at making a few small gifts for children with forthcoming baptisms and birthdays. This was initially driven by wanting to save some money, but also to avoid purchasing the usual mass produced plastic that so often makes gifts for children affordable. It was at this time that I started to visit Millie Moon and get to know Rachel and Becki. Very quickly I became inspired by the beautiful fabrics that they were offering and by the wonderful community that existed around their amazing shop. I decided I wanted to learn more and after perusing their workshop flyer I opted to book onto Caroline’s 6-week beginners quilting course which started in January 2012.
Caroline expertly guided our small group through her pattern over the coming weeks. The quilt was really challenging but I learnt so much and came away with my first-ever finished quilt. That quilt still sits in my living room over 5 years later and I am still very much in love with the design, and the Tilda fabrics that I chose to use. Caroline’s tuition and support gave me the confidence to move on to another quilt soon after my first and as they say, the rest is history.
Over 5 years, 30 plus quilts and numerous small projects later I am now embarking upon teaching my first few workshops. I am so delighted that Rachel and Becki have invited me to join the fantastic team of tutors and I hope to meet more of their wonderful creative community through my forthcoming workshops. I will be teaching small projects that focus on patchwork and quilting and very much hope you will join me.
Here are the next three workshops with Kelly. Go to website to book
Introduction to English Paper Piecing Saturday 23rd September
Quilted Cushion Cover Saturday 26th August
Patchwork Drawstring bag Saturday 28th October
In addition to quilting and sewing, I love listening to podcasts, reading creative blogs, gardening and spending time with my little boy (who loves being snuggled up under one of Mummy’s quilts when he isn’t running around). I blog at alittlesewandsow.blogspot.co.uk
Regular Customer Anne wins ‘Quilt now’ competition
Last month I spent a day at Janome HQ in Stockport as one of 8 lucky winners of a Quilt Now magazine competition entitled The Story of my Quilt. Cindy Cloward of Riley Blake Designs led a workshop showing us how to do a block from their Sweetie Pie quilt.
As a keen, but novice quilter, I was very excited to be there but slightly apprehensive in case I was out of my depth but Cindy and everyone at Janome, EQS and the magazine publishers made us feel very welcome. We were all thoroughly spoilt with gorgeous cakes, a lovely buffet lunch and lots of quilting goodies to go home with.
Cindy started the day with a presentation about Riley Blake which she runs with her husband Brett, and her own needlework and quilting experiences. She showed examples of her quilts and talked about the Riley Blake designs and the process of printing fabrics. Cindy left us in no doubt that the quality of the fabric is paramount in quilt making.
We then went on to making our blocks. We cut 16 pie slices and sewed them all together to make a pie unit and then chose a fruit for the pie centre, which we appliqued onto a piece of pin dot material which in turn was appliqued onto a pin dot pie block. The room was a hive of activity with all of us working at our own pace but hoping to get the block finished by the end of the day. Cutting mats, rotary cutters and machines were set up for each of us. All equipment and materials were provided and ironing boards were on hand for the constant pressing of seams.
As we worked, Cindy asked each of us to share our quilt stories which ranged from a quilter’s husband doing a quilt just to prove he could, to a lady sewing together all the bunting from her friend’s wedding to make a stunning quilt.
My story began with me enrolling on a quilting workshop with Caroline Francis-Payne here at Millie Moon (their first: was it really 9 years ago?!) and getting the quilting bug so that every subsequent family event has had to be commemorated with a quilt.This included my son going to uni and how I had to sew his festival wristbands onto his quilt and how I am, 5 years on, still sewing festival wristbands on to his quilt!
I left Stockport for my long train journey back to Frome feeling tired but happy, with armfuls of quilting paraphernalia and a starting block for my Sweetie Pie quilt!
Anne, 3rd from the right
AE
A big thank you to Anne for sharing her day with us. If you would like to have a go at patchwork and Quilting then get in touch. We run regular classes and workshops for beginners at the shop. Have a look on the website or give us a call 01373 464437
Charity Quilt making day
Come and Join us on April 9th between 11-4pm to make as many quilts as possible for the amazing “Project Linus” charity.
Please contact us for more information
01373 464437