Great Bristish Sewing Bee

The Great British Sewing Bee is back on the televison BBC2 9pm:)
 Great fun and real inspiration for those who want to get back into dressmaking or playing with their sewing machines and overlockers. We do lots of dressmaking, tailoring, alterations and sewing in the studio from beginners to those who want to learn that little bit more. We also have Rita who is a wiz at tailoring and I love the remakes, a recent one a vintage wedding dress to a cocktail dress and the off cuts into a Christening Gown.
I recommend the Great British Sewing Bee 'Sew Your Own Wardrobe', pattern book. (You can purchase by clicking the link below and it will take you through to Amazon).
Easy to follow instructions that take you through the capsule wardrobe, any size which is always needed because none of us fit off the coat hanger.
I am sooooo glad Patrick is still part of the presentors as he gives the polish and eye candy.
Esme the Fashion Guru and Jo Lycette gives it the humour and fills in the episodes, not sure how much he really knows about sewing though? He has nails that could rival mine at times:))) Without the sparkle though!

Sew Week One; All about Cotton:)

Wiggle Dress
Jeans Transformation
Cotton Jumpsuit

To obtain the pattern book and the Great British Sewing Bee Sewing Books, Click the link below, there are also great sewing patterns available, including jumpsuits:)))




*Remember there is a special at the moment for The Gutterman Sew All Threads. We use them in the studio for sewing absolutely everything and are great value.
Shop by clicking below and shopping on Amazon to get this great deal and help The Old Art Room.



Great British Sewing Bee,Episode Two Children.

Hoody
Monster Transformation from Faux Fur:))
Dance Outfit

Great British Sewing Bee,Episode Three 1970's

Flared Jeans
Tartan, Punk Transformation
Maxi Dress

Great British Sewing Bee,Episode Four Tecnical Fabric

Swimsuit

Watch the video below to be introduced to the new 2019 contestants.

By shopping on Amazon  a small donation is given at no extra cost to you.  The Old Art Room can then buy necessary equipment to keep workshops running. Thank you:)

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Autumn Workshop Sessions

September is always a busy time for us, planning the Autum and Winter Sessions and the studio diary gets full pretty quickly.

Stewart and I aslo manage to take a week off but this time as ever is already filling up with experiences:))). A chance to see family, a trip to London to the V&A, Chris Riddell evening, visit Jessie Chorley's Shop, a spa day and also a birthday, all in a week:))))

Here is the new list for September and October 2018

September 2018

4&6th Blackberries and Autumn Projects. Brenda is sharing how to embroider and bead Autumn Friuts and Jane is sharing the new projects and Inspiration for the next few months.

7thto14th The studio is CLOSED , not to say they won't be sharing the creativity that week:))

18th&20th Brenda Catch Up and Autumn Projects. This is an ideal time to catch up on any projects that you have started with Brenda or start a new one that you have wanted to do. Jane will be sharing her projects too:))

21st Crewel Embroidery. The once a month Crewel Embroidery session with lots more kits and Inspiration for the Winter. 10am until 2pm

25th&27th Seasonal and Own Projects. Christmas and gift giving is just around the corner.

26th Creative Textiles Creative Course begins. A ten week course that covers many of the creaative techniques within Textiles. Creating a project from the start, covering ideas, dyeing fabric, printing, stitch, innovative materials and tools. A few places left.

October 2018

2nd&4th Fabric and Paper Keepsakes Inspired by London visit. A trip to London, V&A, Chriss Riddell evening and Jessie Chorley's shop will all have a bearing on this session:)))

9th&11th Modern Square Runner. Jane loves setting a geometric patchwork challenge.

12th Crewel Embroidery, once a month session. 10am until 2pm

16th&18th Embroidery on Black and Catch Up Projects. Kits available.

23rd&25th Snowflakes layered and beaded.

30thOct & 1st Nov Seasonal and Own Projects. Christmas or projects you just want to get done:))

Monday Art Sessions 10 am to 12.15pm

Jeanette Williams is joining The Old Art Room Team, starting on the 17th of September with Mixed Media Art Techniques with 'Autumn Berries and Fruits'. Jeanette will be in the studio fortnightly.

Booking and payment is required to ensure your session and payment is non- refundable due to limited places available.

New Workshop List For July and August 2018

With the Summer moving on and a new list of workshops for the studio are now available to sign in for:))
Lots of creativity as I have lots of community projects that I am working along side the studio workshops, so you can join in on the making.
Sessions open to young adults over 12years old during the summer.

The studio is closed for a week from the 22nd of June and reopens on the 2nd of July for Art.

The studio is also welcoming Work Experience from several schools and there is the opportunity for a six week Apprenticeship in the studio.

July
3rd&5th 'Strawberries and Cream', Brenda is teaching the amazing stump work strawberries and Jane has Red and Cream Delights.
10th Log Cabin with a Twist, Table Runner and Principles of how to exchange the design.
12th Studio Closed teaching at Diss, 'Log Cabin with a Twist'.
13th Crewel Embroidery with Brenda for beginners and those who sew.
17th&19th Fantasy Inspired make and Stitch. Jane is working towards some Festivals which include a bit of imagination so shares what is going on.
21st Thompson Village Hall, Community Sew In, making the textiles for the new renovated church, all welcome. 10-3pm.
24th Free Machining 101 and Inspiration on how to mix your stitch.
31st Seasonal and Own Projects. As usual Jane keeps the season alive throughout the year with a make it for that certain time of year:)

August 2018
2nd Print and Stitch. Projects where you print an image and then extend it.
7th&9th Burning Back. Taking a mixture of textiles and burning back the layers to reveal treasure.
14th&16th Monster Makes. Making monsters and also making things for our younger gift range.
17th Crewel Embroidery with Brenda.
21st&23rd  Sunflowers with Brenda and Jane shares some of her Autumn Projects.
28th&30 Seasonal and Own Projects. As usual Jane keeps the season alive throughout the year with a make it for that certain time of year:)

Creative Textiles Level One. A Ten Week Course

A ten week course that takes you on a journey through textiles within your chosen inspiration and topic. This course is for beginners, those that need a re boot and those who want to achieve an outstanding piece of textiles. (Those that have done it will tell you how they enjoyed it:))
Enrolements and information is available and the course begins September 26th 2018. Limited places.

Creative Textiles 30 week Course Starts in January 2019 
Course for those who have completed the level One or who have knowledge of Textile Techniques.
Details available.

Support the studio by booking workshops and when you shop on Amazon think of us and go to The Old Art Room first, click on a product link and go through to Amazon to sho, we receive a 4% donation on your purchase. You get deals and no extra charge is made to you. Thank you it all helps.

*Booking and payment is required to insure your session place abd payment is non- refundable due to limited places available*

*Remember we also have Rita our Italian Tailor in the studio for Alterations and Tailoring.

Emily is continuing after her six week Apprenticeship as a member of staff and 'Learning as You Earn'. Learning to make and gain skills, selling in the shop and shortly online. Well Done Emily.

Enjoy the English sunshine and Creating:))

Flower Stitcher Attachment

We have been playing this week on the sewing machine, free machining doodles and using 

The Flower Stitcher Attachment ready for ,'Sewing Machine Fun Sessions' in the studio.

These encourage everyone to play with their sewing machine, stitches, feet and attachments.
Gain confidence and enjoy more of their sewing.

I brought the Flower Stitcher from Amazon( link below)

• This Daisy Flower Stitch is used to create unique flower-inspired circular designs
• Use your sewing machine's decorative stitches to create flowers or the perfect circle!
• Premium Sewing Feet are high quality sewing feet that provide the user with ease of use for tasks they could be extremely tedious if done by hand
• Add embellishments to garments, button covers, craft projects and more!
• Come with a detailed using instruction, fit for all low-shank sewing machines, including Singer, Brother, Babylock, Viking (Husky Series), Euro-Pro, Janome, Kenmore, White, Juki, Bernina (Bernette Series), New Home, Necchi, Elna and More!

I played with the foot with Emma who is taking part in her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, an ideal skill to master  on the machine, out of the usual and we had fun trying it out and talking about what embellishments we would add in the form of beads, sequins and sparkle:)))

Buy on Amazon Here  and you donate a small amount to the studio at no cost to you:)))

I always find its good to watch a video.
The instructions that come with it are clear but I  find watching someone demonstrating what you want to learn is far more instructive and they show you how they have adapted it,
this one was my favourite:))

Dressmaker's Window At The Old Art Room

This window at The Old Art Room Swaffham, 

is inspired by the Dressmaker who has just left to 

go and make herself a cup of tea.

The window is filled with fresh, pastel, vintage fabrics and quilts.

Her sewing machine, dressmaker's dummy, patterns, magazines and storage. 

We teach dressmaking on a Tuesday or Thursday 

and have some costume Fridays:)

The 10 week Creative Textile Course and other workshops 

are available look to the tabs above:)

The sewing machine is a lovely 1950's 'Jones' blue sewing, don't you just love vintage.

Some of the magazines for inspiration are 1950's Vogue.

The fabric on the machine is a quilt in progress, real icecream colours.

Lots of quilts made and inspiration in the studio.

Sewing Storage, a suitcase renovated by Caroline. 

A dressmaker's mood board:))

Our little artist mannequin fairy with his sewing top hat on:))

Window side wall art.

Adapted wall paper samples.

Next window will be celebrating The Flower Festival.

Bags Galore In The Studio

We have been busy this last couple of weeks making various types of Bags.

I made this Urban Camouflage Bag this week, needing a break from all the florals

in the studio:))

Then set it up for photographing and loved the display.

We are now on Instagram too follow the-old-art-room

A wall of bags slowly making an Exhibition.

Inspired by 'Linen Garden' we made our own pattern and have adapted the pattern

in various ways.

This is the start of a bag made with 1950's fabric and trim. 

A variation on a Bucket Bag:)

Muriel's versions.

Irene's.

Lorna's 'Scottie' bag is made from a previous pattern we have made in the studio.

New Year, New Window, New Classes, Workshops and Courses

With the New Year a new window display advertising Cinderella.

TOSH the local Swaffham Theatre Group are putting this Panto on in February.

The Old Art Room is  making the Cinderella costumes:)))

New Classes, Workshops and A Ten Week Textile Course, as well as

the usual classes and we are participating in Norfolk Open Studios

again this year.

Come in and see the new shop and studio displays 

lots goodies to make, buy and be inspired.

Everyone says the window has a touch of 'Frozen' about it too!

Deluxe Sewing Tidy

One of the sewing patterns this month is '

The Deluxe Sewing Tidy'

Many have made the single one but this has a pocket for 

scissors and sewing extras.

See more of the Textile Classes HERE

Rotary Mat Bag

We all love this colourful Rotary Mat Bag made by Barbara.

Barbara tried two different ways of quilting.

She used a walking foot and Machine Quilting on one side

and hand quilting on the other.

She admitted she has fallen in love with hand quilting and wants

to do some more.

Just a great bag for putting your Rotary Mat, Ruler and Cutter in.

We teach how to use the Rotary Cutter and equipment in

the studio.

Frozen Somerset Patchwork Cushion

Muriel has made this Somerset Patchwork Cushion and used the 

Snowflake fabric inspired by 'Frozen'.

As usual it is made with a high standard of finish 

especially Muriel's famous buttonholes.

Just great!

The pattern is also known as 'Folded Star Patchwork'.

 This a good video on how to make

The Somerset Patchwork.

Happy New Year

We went into The Old Art Room Studio today, Spring Cleaned

and set up part of the displays for this month.

Oriental and Circus.

Classes will start again on the 19th of January.

Starting with Art on Monday.

Pastels with an Oriental twist.

See the monthly inspiration

Here