Crafting Comforts
Edition 3 - Stitch & Shower
Hello everyone
So, February has arrived, bringing with it some stormy weather and plenty of wet and windy days. Despite the blustery skies, there’s still a quiet beauty to be found as we move through the final weeks of winter. Whether it’s watching raindrops dance on the windows or hearing the chirping of birds braving the elements, this season offers moments of inspiration for our creative endeavours.
In this month’s Newsletter, I’m excited to share a variety of topics to inspire, uplift, and keep you connected to the world of making and creating. Let’s start with the garden, where I’ve been delighted to watch the return of our feathered friends to the bird table. If you’re a nature lover, this is a wonderful time to appreciate the wildlife around us and perhaps even find inspiration for your next project.
This months 'Bag of the Month' will be the Daisy Folding Bag.
A versatile and stylish design that’s perfect for everyday use. If you’re looking to try something new, this pattern is as fun to make as it is practical.
For the month of February the pattern will be on Special Offer at £6 (plus P&P) If you haven't used your subscibers discount code yet, why not apply it to this wonderful pattern.
Book of the Month For February
For our Book of the Month, I’ve chosen Patchwork & Quilting Magazine. It’s a treasure trove of ideas, tips, and patterns—a must-read for all quilting enthusiasts.
And for those who love curling up with a good story, I’ve also been reading a Karen Swan novel that has me hooked. I’ll be sharing a bit about that, too.
Although my planned trip to Gloucester had to be postponed due to a bereavement, I’m grateful for the chance to visit the CHSI show this month. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for a quick tour of the event and to see the latest trends and products in sewing and crafting.
Lastly, I visited Mountain Yoga, a yoga retreat, as a way to unwind and reconnect. It’s been such a calming and restorative experience, and I’ll be sharing a link and some photos so you can learn more if you’re curious.
Thank you for being part of this wonderful community. I’m always inspired by your creativity and passion. Let’s make February a month filled with joy, inspiration, and new beginnings.
Love from Sandi
and the Team
xxx
In this edition (and it's a busy one)
A Little Machine Love
Well, I don’t know about you but 2025 is well and truly underway and January has come and gone already! They say that time flies when you’re enjoying yourself, so we must be ecstatic!
I’m very fortunate to have two very good sewing machines and use them all the time, so I do put them through their paces. But why is it that if they are going to go wrong, they will go wrong at the same time! Frustrating isn’t the word!
On that note, it is so important to keep an eye on your machine daily (especially if you use it regularly like I do!) And ensure that it is cleaned and serviced yearly. (Watch me cleaning my sewing machine on video below - NB You may need to turn the sound on!). With the amount of different materials we sew, especially in creating Memory Bears, handbags, quilts and cushions, getting into a daily routine is half the battle in checking for bits of thread, lint, general dust so we always clean these areas after each project.
How to clean your sewing machine
Oiling a sewing machine is essential for maintaining its performance and longevity, but the type of casing can influence the oiling process. I have both a brother with a plastic casing and a Bernina with a metal casing. I know I have to oil the Bernina regularly myself, whereas the Brother is only oiled on its annual service. But, always refer to the manufacturer’s manual for the best practices for your specific machine.
We also change the needle at the start of a new project and always use the correct needle with the correct weight of thread (generally Aurifil).
Sewing Street Update
This month is certainly no less busy especially with our two appearances on Sewing Street TV on the 3rd and 25th February when Sewing Street will be celebrating their 5th Birthday!
Harmony Duo Bag
The first show on the 3rd was our new pattern, the ‘Harmony Duo Bag’ It is such a versatile bag, being a 2 in 1, ideal for taking to work or on holiday. We think it would be stunning made in other materials, such as, denim or even cork. We were overwhelmed by your response to the pattern, and a big ‘thank you!’ to everyone who purchased it.
The second show on the 25th will be the brand new ‘Bunny Rucksack’ for the young at heart and the return of the ‘Teddy Backpack’ in brand new colourways. We will also be bringing to you another ‘Handy Guide’ so please be sure to tune in.
Meet Norman
As we mainly work from our conservatory which looks out onto our estate, (well, back garden!!) we are entertained by our visiting birds. This morning it was the turn of our Nuthatch, which we’ve named ‘Norman’, he just loves the peanuts. We just hope our pair of woodpeckers return soon along with Jenny wren and a host of others.
Book Mag of the Month
As mentioned in the editorial, our ‘Book of the Month’ this month, is in fact a magazine, it’s the great ‘Love Patchwork & Quilting Magazine’.
If you love quilting (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine is a lovely read. It’s packed with inspiration, from beautiful patterns to handy techniques, and there’s always something new to try. The step-by-step guides are clear and easy to follow, so whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned quilter, there’s plenty to enjoy. While it celebrates traditional quilting, it also features fresh, modern designs, all of which are perfect for a cosy afternoon with a cuppa and a bit of fabric daydreaming! It can be purchased as a monthly subscription magazine or from your local newsagents, monthly, or it even comes in a digital format.
Every month it comes with a free gift, such as a ruler, or quilting template. I always love to try a new tool, and lovely to add to your sewing notions. I especially like the last page, where we get to meet a new designer and learn about their journey on the quilting scene.
Highly Recommended
Although Christmas is well and truly behind us, one of my Christmas presents was a book named ‘All I want for Christmas’ by Karen Swan. She is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of more than twenty-five books. She writes two books a year, which are published in the summer and at Christmas. I have read quite a few of her books and find them an easy and heartwarming read.
This particular book is set in the enchanting city of Copenhagen, it follows Darcy Cotterell, an art history PhD student, who’s sworn off love after a breakup. Her well-meaning friend nudges her into a dating app, leading to some amusing and awkward dates. But the real intrigue begins when Darcy is tasked with uncovering the identity of a mysterious woman in a hidden painting. This assignment brings her into contact with the charming yet enigmatic lawyer, Max Lorensen. The story beautifully weaves together romance and an art-world mystery, making it a perfect companion for a cosy evening with a cuppa.( You can tell by now I love a cuppa!) It’s a heartwarming tale that reminds us that love and surprises often come when we least expect them.
I would love to know what your recommendations are for my next read.
Bag of the Month - Daisy
Our ‘Bag of the Month’ is our Daisy Folding Handbag.
We named our handbag after a Daisy flower which folds up at night, which our handbag does too!
The Daisy Folding Handbag can be folded into a neat little 9” X 6” bundle of goodness. Which means you could make yourself a handbag for every outfit you take with you on your holidays! Its easy and quick to make and uses relatively small amounts of material. So this month we have it on offer at 50% off, at a snip for £6, so why not treat yourself today.
Mountain Yoga
Let’s be honest—our job involves a lot of sitting! And as we get older, staying supple and mobile becomes even more important (no one wants to creak like an old sewing machine, right?). That’s why I absolutely love yoga retreats and try to keep up with a little daily yoga practice. In fact, Andrew and I make it part of our routine every day! So when Mountain Yoga opened up near us, we couldn’t resist trying one of their retreats… and we absolutely loved it!
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NEC - CHSI Stitches
This month, we’re heading to CHSI Stitches at the NEC, the UK’s biggest trade show for the creative craft industry. While we won’t be exhibiting, we’ll be there soaking up inspiration, discovering new trends, and gathering fresh ideas for our upcoming projects.
We can’t wait to bring back exciting insights and share what’s inspiring us next! Stay tuned for updates.
Last month on Sewing Street TV, Dave of ‘Trimming Shop’ announced our joint collaboration with them, which was extremely exciting. So, if you have previously purchased a Green Machine from them, you will be sent an email which will direct to our website where you can download an Artisan Makers Apron for free. We even have a video showing exactly how to make it. If you don’t have your Green Machine yet, then click on the button below.
Mmmm......Strawberry Jam
We have no doubt that February will go as fast as January did and we will be hopefully heading for lighter evenings and warmer weather, but we’re not out of the woods just yet!
We are packing later this month our trusty ‘Brother’ sewing machine and travelling in our campervan, ‘Morrison’ to Devon, where we will bring you next month a few tales of our travels. Looking forward to bracing walks on the beautiful South Devon beaches, quaint afternoon Devon teas and maybe the odd cider in a local tavern, sitting by a log fire.
Until then, look after yourselves all, and have a wonderful creative February!
Our Best Sellers this Month
Best sellers
Consider this.....
Is it still quilt weather?
Teddy has nabbed one of our magazines of the month by the looks of it!
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