A Day of Sewing with Imogen Allen and Jane Lightfoot

It all started back in December, when Imogen from Imogen Allen Designs messaged me to ask if I fancied joining her on 1 Day Course with Jane Lightfoot Designs.  Imogen and I became friends over a year ago on Facebook, chatting about our pages and work, so I jumped at the chance a) to finally meet her, and b) to meet Jane and learn a relatively new experience.

Jane, Imogen and Michelle

     So I set off on my journey at 7.30am and drove down the A1 to Janes lovely home, where I was warmly welcomed by Jane, introduced to Imogen, and a coffee and home made flapjack!

Jane promptly set to, into describing what we were going to be doing.  We had booked to make a Note Book Cover which was to be embellished by Free-Motion machine embroidery.

We began choosing a design and the fabrics we were to use, then prepared them ready for stitching

Jane encouraged us to practice the Free-motion Embroidery first, 

before attempting our books.  Once we felt confident and comfortable, we went for it, and our books began to take shape

We broke for lunch around 1pm, and what a Lunch Spread it was!  Jane had been busy baking prior to our visit and so we were greeted with the most delicious Quiche, accompanied with salad, ham and home made chutney, followed by carrot cake and scone (with clotted cream and - oh yes - home made jam!)

After lunch we went back to the sewing room, to continue on with our projects.  Jane was very encouraging throughout, and gave us both lots of new tips to help us achieve a good result.

Of course, not all of our time was spent sewing, as we had all just officially met for the first time, we did chat, quite a lot.  It was so lovely to spend a day, sewing with like minded ladies, exchanging ideas and tips.

Imogen and I admired Jane's work, which was beautifully distributed around her house and in her beautiful sewing room.  Her work is truly stunning.  The detail and quality is just amazing.

We took the odd Selfie!!

But mostly, we just enjoyed the full day of sewing

Imogens Finished Book

Imogen hadn't done Free-Motion Embroidery before, but is super talented in Hand Embroidery and Machine Applique.  She made a fantastic design and beautifully sewn book, you'd never know she had never used this technique before, it's just incredible!

My Finished Book

I had dabbled with Free-Motion Embroidery, so had the basics, but Jane encouraged me to be a little more free with it, and a little less critical of myself!  I am really quite pleased with my book

The night prior to the course, I handmade two Fabric Cupcakes.  I felt I didn't want to go empty handed, and so I began to sew one each for Jane and Imogen.  Funnily enough Imogen had thought the same too, and made Jane and I a Bunting shaped banner, complete with our initials - this one is mine - isn't it stunning?

And Jane gave Imogen and I a jar each of Home made Jam!

All in all, it was an amazing day.  It  was so wonderful to meet two fantastically talented ladies in one day, and to have have the opportunity to sew with them - words fail.

I went to bed a very happy cookie

Imogen Allen Designs has a wonderful page on Facebook, why not pop over and have a look at her work

Jane Lightfoot Designs also has a fantastic page on Facebook, and I highly recommend you take a look at her page too, and if you too fancy doing a sewing workshop, Jane is a fantastic teacher, I can't recommend her enough

Michelle Corbin Design and this is my Facebook page

Thank you for reading

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx

Just a little gift

So I decided this week that a fellow Facebook Page owner, deserved a little gift.  She has been incredible support for me and my little business, and as a little thank you.  I thought I would make her a little gift

 I put pencil to paper and began to sketch, then once I was happy, I transferred the picture onto fabric

Next was the fun part.  I got out all of my scraps of fabrics and chose the dress fabrics (this took quite a while as clothing does - you girls must understand hehe) and I also have many scraps and get easily distracted with - oh I could make this with that etc - but it is fun x

Once the fabrics, ribbons and embroidery silks had been chosen, I placed the fabric onto a hoop and began to appliqué and embroider, taking much pleasure and care in each and every stitch.

The result was a picture, box framed for someone who has become a friend

Friends for Keeps

https://www.facebook.com/MichelleCorbinDesign?ref=hl

Patchwork, has become an obsession of mine over the years.  Fascinated by the mix of patterns, shapes, colours and textures which gel in such a complementary way.

One of the most important things I have learnt about patchwork, is the importance of preparation of fabrics; the pre-washing and ironing and the precision measuring and cutting.

Here is one patchwork project, I really loved making

And all of this these tiny squares were made to create and Applique

A beautiful Keepsake Cushion, Announcing the birth of a beautiful new bundle 

Thanks for reading and Happy Stitching

Michelle xx

https://www.facebook.com/MichelleCorbinDesign

Learning to Sew

Have you ever wanted to learn to sew?  May be you learnt a little at school or by your mum, but never really continued?  Well it is never too late to start.  Why not look for Workshops, Classes or Sewing Circles in your area?  You'll be surprised at what you can achieve.

I first began workshops last year as an experiment.  Having qualified with a Cert. Ed. back in 2002 I knew how to put a lesson together, so I began my research and started a couple of full day courses.  These proved successful, but I was unable to do them regularly.  Then in September I began Evening Workshops for Beginners, and these have proved to be popular.

We work in my home, 1 evening a week and it is a very relaxed atmosphere.  The ladies are able to take home what they have made and each week, they take home at least 1 new skill or tip.

It's a great way to start with the basics, and then move on to harder skills.  You get to meet like minded people, and we always have a little chat, a giggle and enjoy a beverage!

If you are more advanced, then don't worry you will still get something out of the sessions.  There are opportunities, to share skills, pick up new tips and just take a little time for yourself.

My main aim for the learners is for them to develop confidence around a needle, thread and a machine.   We cover a range of skills to enable them to develop their preferred technique and speed.

And as long as they enjoy the 2 hour session and have learnt at least 1 new item, then I am happy.

So why not have a look in your area and find a workshop or class near you?  You'll be surprised at how much you remember, and how much you can learn, in such a short space of time.  And most of all how much you'll enjoy it.  You never know, what it will lead to!

 

Thanks for reading and Happy Stitching xx

Happy New Year

Hello and welcome to my very first BLOG - eeeeek!!

I wanted my first blog, to tell you a little about me and my ickle business, so here goes:

I am a proud mum of 2 and will have been married to my hubby 10 years come March of this year.  I began my business in 2010, after completing a Curtain, Blind and Soft Furnishing Course.  I wanted to be a Stay at Home Mum, so I began a long term plan!!

I began making a few items for friends and family in between nap times and playgroup runs, and then once my youngest began afternoon Nursery I began promoting my work more.

Over the past 2 years, my business has evolved into creating beautiful Keepsake Treasures.  It has helped me to grow from strength to strength and I couldn't be happier.

I began by showcasing my work on my Facebook Page and as my children grew and begun school they inevitably started to go to parties, which got my creative juices flowing :) I designed and made a couple of Tooth Fairy Cushions for a friends 2 children, which lead to an order.

I have since created other designs and began to make Keepsake Memory Cushions and Quilts, made from outgrown pre-loved clothing.

Last year saw my little Facebook Page grow larger and quicker than I could ever have imagined.  My youngest had started in Full Time school, so I began to plough as much energy as I could into it.

My products and designs started to evolve and when a current customer asked if I was able to design and make a bunny for her, I stepped up to the challenge, and Little Bunny Keepsake was born and became one of my best sellers.

Having previously worked as and when commissions came in, I have now had to create a waiting list, which currently is approximately 3 months long!

As of 2014, I have decided to concentrate mainly on my Personalised Keepsake items and not so much on Curtains and Blinds.  My aim is to continue working through custom orders, and also to create some 'Ready -Made' items too, which I will list in my Etsy Shop.

I hope you have enjoyed your read, and will join me again soon.

Next time I will tell you a little about my Learn to Sew Workshops, and add some Sewing Tips along the way.

Many thanks for reading

Michelle xx