Crafting Comforts
Edition 4 -
Hopping Into Spring
Hello everyone
Spring is in the air, and with it comes a fresh burst of creativity, inspiration, and exciting updates! March is shaping up to be a busy and beautiful month at Family Comforts, and we’ve packed this newsletter full of treats for you.
This month, I’m taking you on a historical journey to St Fagans National Museum of History, a place that left me truly inspired by the rich heritage of handmade crafts. Over on Sewing Street, I have a fabulous show lined up, and I can’t wait to share the details with you! Plus, we’ve got not one, but two featured patterns this month—a perfect pairing for our Collaboration of the Month with the lovely Julie Crowther from Juey Jumbo. If you love beautifully crafted knitting accessories, you won’t want to miss this.
This months 'Special March Madness' gives you a great bundle of four Handy Guides!
Unlock the secrets of sewing with our exclusive bundle of four Handy Guides, now available for a limited time at an unbeatable price! Perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters, each guide is packed with handy hints and tips to elevate your sewing skills.
Grab your bundle today for just £13 (regularly £16) and take your sewing to the next level. Perfect for gifting or treating yourself!
Books of the Month For March
For the book lovers among us, we’re diving into our much loved Among the Wild Flowers by Tilly Rose as our Book of the Month, while crime fans can escape into the gripping world of Belsay by LJ Ross, our Audiobook of the Month
And speaking of exciting events, I’ll also be sharing my highlights from the CHSI Stitches Show at the NEC—so much inspiration in one place!
St Fagans National Museum of History.
And finally, just a quick reminder that for all new subscribers - as a thank you - we offer a 10% discount code to use on our pattern & guides. So if you have any friends who might be interested, please let them know thanks.
So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and enjoy all the creativity this month has to offer! 🧸💕
Love from Sandi
and the Team
xxx
March Madness on Patterns
Buy one get one FREE on all Patterns! Simply use the code PATTERNBOGOF at checkout. Check out our range of patterns below.
Sewing Street Update
What’s On in Sewing Street: March & Early April
March 18th: New Pattern Release – ‘Meadow Bunny Rucksack’
We are hopping with excitement to introduce our brand-new pattern, the ‘Meadow Bunny Rucksack’! This delightful rucksack comes with beautiful spring-coloured needlecord kits, perfect for adding a touch of seasonal charm to your creations. Designed to be wonderfully adaptable, it’s ideal for children and the young at heart alike.
But that’s not all! We’re also bringing back our beloved ‘Teddy Backpack’. It’s been nearly two years since its debut on Sewing Street, and we felt it was high time for a return to accompany the ‘Meadow Bunny Rucksack’. These two patterns make a perfect pair for your spring sewing projects.
April 8th: The Return of the ‘Scrappies’
April brings the much-anticipated return of our ‘Scrappies’ series:
• Scrappy Bear
• Scrappy Bunny
• Scrappy Fox
• Scrappy Kitty
In our April 8th show, we’ll be shining the spotlight on the ‘Scrappy Bunny’. We’ll demonstrate how to craft the head and introduce new ear designs to give your bunny a fresh look. If you’ve previously purchased the ‘Scrappy Bunny’ pattern, don’t worry—you won’t be left out! We’ll be offering a free downloadable update on our website after the show, so you can incorporate the new ear designs into your existing pattern.
Stay tuned for these exciting releases, and happy sewing!
Book of the Month
Among The Wildflowers By Tilly Rose
This beautifully presented book is both inspiring and practical, with a warm, nostalgic feel. Its seasonal embroidery themes (always reminiscent of Springtime which is why we have chosen to share this month), vintage transfers, and thoughtful details make it perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters. The inclusion of full-size, mirrored transfers and a handy storage pocket is a brilliant touch. A must-have for embroidery enthusiasts - read the full review to find out more!
Highly Recommended
I love to listen to a good audiobook while I am busy sewing. So, if you love a gripping mystery with rich historical atmosphere, then Belsay, the latest in LJ Ross’s Detective Ryan series, is an absolute must-listen audio book. Set against the haunting backdrop of Belsay Hall, this story weaves together a thrilling investigation with the eerie remnants of the past. As always, DCI Ryan and his team are at the heart of the action, unravelling a web of secrets, suspense, and unexpected twists that keep you hooked from start to finish.
As a longtime fan of the Detective Ryan books, I was delighted to return to Northumberland’s atmospheric landscapes, brought to life beautifully in the audiobook format. The narration is immersive and engaging, capturing the tension and character depth that make this series so addictive. Belsay is a perfect blend of crime, history, and intrigue, and once again, LJ Ross delivers a mystery that lingers long after the final chapter. If you enjoy a story that keeps you guessing, this one won’t disappoint!
Collaboration of the Month: Julie Arnfield Crowther - aka "Juey".
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Julie Arnfield Crowther, the creative force behind Juey Jumbo Craft Tools and a long-time collaborator with us (just to remind you of the patterns we have already crafted in partnership).
Her journey began with a lightbulb moment at a US knitting exhibition, leading to the creation of her now well-renowned jumbo knitting needles and Tunisian crochet hooks. With the help of her father, Julie transformed an idea into a thriving business—one built on innovation, passion, and family legacy.
From handcrafting tools to developing a secret finishing serum, her dedication has kept Juey growing from strength to strength.
Read our full interview in the Collaborative Corner to discover her inspiring story!
NEC - CHSI Stitches Update
Our Trip to CHSI Stitches 2025!
Every year, we make our way to CHSI Stitches at the NEC to catch up on the latest trends, colours, and innovations in the crafting industry. It’s always an exciting opportunity to network, gather inspiration, and see what’s new! While this year’s show was slightly smaller than previous years, it gave us the perfect chance to have meaningful conversations with exhibitors and fellow creatives.
A Familiar Face to Start the Day!
As we stepped into the venue, who should we bump into first but the ever-lovely Stuart Hillard! It was such a treat to catch up, as we hadn’t seen him since sharing the Sewing Street studio together before Christmas.
Exciting New Collaboration in the Works!
Next up was a visit to Emily from Emibdesigns, who was showcasing some of her latest tool designs. We had a great chat (I do love a good natter!), and by the end of our conversation, we had come up with an exciting idea for a brand-new tool! Fingers crossed—watch this space for updates on a potential collaboration!
Instagram Insights with Estelle Keeber
A real highlight of the day was a brilliant talk by Estelle Keeber (@estellekeeberofficial) on the power of Instagram. She shared invaluable tips on using Reels and Stories to boost engagement, and even got the audience involved in a fun, hands-on session creating our very own Reels! Such a fantastic experience and a real confidence booster for anyone looking to grow their social media presence.
A Chat with Aurifil (And Maybe Our Own Family Comforts Thread Box?)
We couldn't resist stopping by the Aurifil stand, where we had an insightful chat with the sales team. We discussed the exciting possibility of branding our very own Family Comforts Aurifil thread boxes—something we’d love to bring to you in the future! Would you be interested in purchasing Aurifil threads from us? Let us know!
Something Furry & Exciting Coming Soon!
Further along, we had an inspiring discussion with CRS Fur Fabric Limited about a special upcoming project. We can’t share too much just yet, but trust us—it’s going to be BIG! Stay tuned for an exciting announcement next month!
A Tea Break & A Chance Encounter with John Scott!
After a well-earned tea break, we started making our way out of the show—only to bump into the fabulous John Scott, who was busy preparing for the Sewing Street TV Birthday Show the next day! I was thrilled to be one of his guest designers for the celebrations. Before he dashed off, John introduced us to Ben and Hannah from Lewis & Irene, a fabric company with such an incredible family history. It was wonderful to chat and learn more about their journey.
Could Next Year Be Our Year?
As we reflect on this year’s event, we’re feeling inspired… so much so that we’re seriously considering having our own stand at CHSI Stitches next year! Watch this space—we might just take the plunge!
We’d love to hear from you - what would you like to see from us at next year’s show? Drop us a message and let us know!
Our Best Sellers this Month
Best sellers
Spend Over £25 for
FREE P&P
Great news! From now on, all pattern orders over £25 will qualify for FREE postage. No codes needed - your discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
Happy crafting!
Consider this.....
While it’s still a bit chilly outside, why not get ahead on summer crafting? Could you start sewing lightweight curtains, knitting a breezy shawl, or quilting a picnic blanket ready for sunny days?
What’s your perfect summer-prep project?
Read our Latest Blog
