FEBRUARY workshops and events

We've got another action packed month of different classes, some have already passed as I'm updating my blog a bit late but this is what's on for the rest of the month. To keep up to date with the workshop and events programme, check into the website calender:

This Saturday (18th Feb) 2 - 4.30pm : Beginners Knitting with me! Learn or refresh on the basics and get started!
This Sunday (19th Feb) 2 - 4.30pm : Piecing Patchwork with Katherine May. This session focusses on pattern and design and starting your own project. Next month Katherine will be running another session which focusses on the quilting side of patchwork.

Saturday 25th Feb, 1 - 4pm: Mrs Bears Clothes swapping event. Bring up to 7 quality but unwanted items and raid the rails!! There will also be a vintage SALE rail, with hand picked goodies by Mrs Bear.

Sunday 26th Feb, 2 - 4.30pm: Refresh your wardrobe - simple sewing alterations with me! Another opportunity to go through your wardrobe or bring in items found at the clothes swap for simple alterations, re tailoring or re vamping. I will tailor the session according to what each participant wants to learn and the clothes they want to transform!

More next Month! Love BarleyX

JANUARY workshops and events

This year's workshops are now underway! It's so lovely to be able to offer a wider range of classes in a new fully equipped workroom. Last weekend we had a beginners crochet class facilitated by Ayda Anlagan on Saturday. On Sunday I ran a beginners knitting class. I've introduced a feedback form - these were some of the comments:
"The workshop space is amazing, really friendly and helpful teacher"
" Had a great time learning a new skill with a nice teacher and meeting new people. Can't wait to do another"
" The course was great. I really liked the individual attention and encouragement"

This is what else is on this month. For more information on each class please click through to the calender on the website. If you are interested in booking a place, contact Barley through e-mail or telephone or at the shop.

THURSDAY 19th January, 5.30 - 8pm: Basic book keeping
FRIDAY 20th January, 5.30 - 8pm: Setting up your own business
SATURDAY 21st January, 2 - 4.30pm: Taste of flat felt making
SUNDAY 22nd January, 2 - 4.30pm: KNIT LARGE!
SUNDAY 29th January, 2 - 4.30pm: Refresh your wardrobe - Darn it! Mend it! Customise it!

After the success of the first Mrs Bears clothes swap event, we've decided to do another this month on SATURDAY 28th January, 1 - 4pm. Go through your wardrobe and bring up to 7 unwanted yet quality items to exchange. Visit Mrs Bears website to find out how it all works.
This month ON THE MEZZANINE, Mrs Bear is introducing her Vintage SALE RAIL and Debs of Stitch in time alterations will also be on hand for a free consultation and promoting her service.
Keep an eye out for our 'Refresh your wardrobe' workshops, which we're running to compliment the swaps. Maybe there is something on the rails that doesn't quite fit or you'd like to learn how to alter the item or transform it in some way.

MRS BEAR says "Please try to come to the Swap early, to avoid queuing, the rails will already be full of clothing to swap, as I run a number of clothing swaps, so what's on the rails is constantly changing! Looking forward to seeing you!"

Clothes Swapping event

We are super excited about collaborating with Mrs Bear's Swapshops for our very first event in the new space!
Her website explains how it all works. She operates a grading system to ensure quality anbd fairness and swapping 'like for like'. Once you've handed in your items and they've had a mini assessment you get coloured stamps in Mrs Bear's ration book!

Not only can you swap up to 7 items, but there will be some workshops hosted by Sewing Bear from Stitches in Time alterations, who will be on hand to help with simple changes and local designer maker Stephanie Bescoby will show you how to repair or upcycle your jewellery.

Swishing Salon

Tomorrow the annual textile pilgrimage up the hill to Ally Pally commences! The Knitting + Stitching show opens it doors at 10am and closes at sun down Sunday.

Come and find us in the 'Swishing Salon' and 'The Learning Curve'.

But before coming riffle through your wardrobe and pull out any items that have been lurking but not larking for a while and check them into the Swishing Salon in the morning.

Mrs Bear will be on hand to help grade, sort the items ready for the swap in the afternoon and hopefully will be having one her lovely raffles.

We'll also be doing drop in workshops all day showing some tips n tricks on how to mend it!, darn it! patch it! customise, embellish, accessorise your outfit with some nifty thrifty ideas!

And! there will be a mini version of our 'Hagedashery' with Rethink Rubbish craft kits, darning kits, DIY Couture, Wool n Boat GIANT knitting needles and nellies and more.....

Fascinators off to Newham!

Well done to the positively, feverish creative energy of the people of Newham at the Newham Mayor's show! Everyone was fascinated! Sewing the afternoon away.

Such imaginative restyling and upcycling took place, lots of applique, beading, embellishing work.....

feathers, veiling and of course posing.....

So COME ON Hackney! The challenge is on........
See you at Field Day and Underage this weekend!

We'll be joining Mrs Bears Swap Shop and Knitty Gritty in the DIY fashion and swap shop tent. Come and find us - get creative and an opportunity to refresh and personalise your wardrobe!

Swishing Salon

The doors open tomorrow at 10am for the annual textile pilgrimage - 'The Knitting and Stitching Show' at Alexander Palace, North London. It is a very insprational show with work by top textile practitioners, up and coming crafters, textile guilds. It's also a great place to source different materials, supplies, patterns, magazines...the list goes on (don't forget your cheque book!)
This year the show is on trend with a new section - 'The Swishing Salon'

Mrs Bears swap shop will be helping the swishing team from Sewing World and Bliss, making sure all the garments you bring in are carefully graded, you will be issued with a rashion book with coloured stamps according to the quality of your garments, then you can raid the rails and swap 'like for like' and walk away with a new wardrobe!

Meanwhile myself and the Fabrications' team will be on hand with a sewing machine sponsored by Brother, showing you some customising tips and tricks. I will also have a display of my 'Remember Me' service (in which you can bring me your clothes or textiles which hold sentimental value to be transformed into comforting furnishings for the home or gifts) and my new 'Rethink Rubbish' kits.
Sissy Rooney has made a special trip from Manchester to offer her 'Street style surgery'.

So what's stopping you?

All proceeds from the Swishing Salon

will be going to the premature baby charity Bliss.

The show is on Thursday to Sunday, 10am - 5.30pm.