Christmas crafts!

There has been plenty of merry crafts in the Flo-Jo workshop so far in December. If you are trying to find some inspiration, look no further!

You could decorate a small hoop of fabric and add little gifts for the animals with felt for a 3D effect!

Our Tuesday evening dressmakers have finished off their different garments. I think the green dress will look fantastic on Christmas eve!

Christmas tree decorations in felt.

Another gorgeous hoop, we love the bells detail! This would make a lovely gift!

And last but not least these lovely snowflake embroidered decorations!

Merry Christmas!

Beginners Dressmaking Class Results!

On Tuesday evening it was our Beginner Dressmakers last week and we wanted to share their beautiful dresses with you!

This teal number is made from a gorgeous Art Gallery Fabrics print from our shop. Made with a slightly scooped out neckline with a facing.

 Lina made this cheerful shift dress with a Marimekko fabric she bought in Finland!

Here is the teal dress again as well as a lovely Dashwood studio print shift dress!

This artisan look dress was made with our Olive green french linen and Lou added a lovely cream bias binding around the neckline.

How perfect will this black dress with golden dots look in the Holiday season? Lovely job!

If you would love to learn where to start when making yourself a dress or if you would like to brush up on your sewing skills next Beginner Dressmaking Class is starting on Tuesday the 8th of November. Click here to book online and secure a space!

Stretch Knicker Making Class

Join us on the Saturday the 1st of October 10.30-1pm for a morning of knicker making!

This workshop is a great introduction to sewing with jersey as well as making lingerie. We will be using Flo-Jo's stretch knicker pattern to make a comfy pair of 'shortie' stretch knickers with stretch lace to give a professional looking finish!
The pattern comes in UK sizes 6-22 and all materials are included in the class. You'll never need to buy a pair of ready made knickers again after this workshop, we do have limited spaces so book now and why not bring a friend!

Click here to book online!

Inspiring customers!

What is more inspiring than working in a shop filled with lovely fabrics? Seeing what customers make from them of course! We are always curious of what you are planning to make with your purchases and always amazed when you show us what you made.

Here are a couple of lovely makes to inspire you to turn the tv OFF and sewing machine ON!

We love the mix of prints for this handmade pencil case, an Inprint fabric and yellow Riley Blake cotton for the lining.

This a top and skirt to be made! Those pansies❤

Choosing prints and colours for patchwork can be a seriously tricky business. We love the mix of this customers work so far! 

These cushions were made by us in our workshop for a couple and their plain two seat sofa. The hedgehog print is by Sevenberry and the swallows is an organic cotton by Birch. Pom-poms in all sorts of colours are also available in the shop!

We would love it if you'd like to share your Flo-Jo make with us on our facebook page and blog, please email us:

flojoboutique@gmail.com

Shift To Fit Sewing Workshop

This month we helped some beautiful shift dresses take shape, using the Laurel dress pattern. The next beginners dressmaking class starts Tuesday the 6th of September. Get more information about the class on our website or call in to the shop if you are interested.

The dress includes learning how to put a sleeve in, sewing details such as darts and pockets, a choice of two different ways to sew a neckline as well sewing a concealed zipper.

Such a pretty pocket! This dragonfly print from Inprint can be found in store at Flo-Jo Boutique.

 A lovely maxi dress version of the Laurel dress by Colette patterns.

And a summery batik version with pockets!

There are so many ways to alter a simple shift dress to make it just your style! What is your favourite kind of shift dress?

Tilda's work experience project

My Name is Tilda and I have choosen to do my year 10 school work experience here at Flo-Jo.

Product review.

I made a small felt fawn from a kit sold in the shop. The kit is called 'Flora the Fawn' and is a product of the Crafty Kit Co. a small British company that creates small sewing and crafting kits, mostly aimed at children. The kit contained all of the components needed to make the fawn, including the thread and needle and also very easy to follow instructions, complete with step-by-step pictures.

However, although the kit is aimed at 'craft lovers over 7 years old', there was a lot of hand sewing involved, so a certain amount of patience is needed. there. I would suggest children should be at least 9 or 10  (unless they are unusually patient!). The finished product is really sweet and worthwhile, as long as you stuff the legs well to give the fawn support, which I unfortunately failed to do.

A Little Bit of Jersey.

One of the best things about the Sewing Bee is that you see people working out of their comfort zone. On the back of this I though it was about time that I started sewing more with stretch fabrics. With a shop full of beautiful print cottons it's easy to get stuck on what you know, but as we expand our stretch section it's time to challenge that.

This vibrant digital print was just the incentive I needed.

As a starting point I decided to copy a cute gypsy top I bought last year which, although I love, has always been a bit too short and shown too much tummy for my liking.

Don't be afraid of copying a pattern of a favourite piece of clothing. Just remember to start simple, get yourself some pattern paper, a tape measure and always add in a seam allowance. It is also a good idea to make a mock up, or toile, in some cheap fabric to check if you have got the pattern right, but of course I didn't do that!

Having made my pattern I started sewing. The side and raglan seams were sewn on the overlocker but could have just as easily been done on a normal sewing machine with a stretch stitch. The key tip when sewing jersey on a normal sewing machine is to change your needle. A stretch or ball point needle will ensure your stitches don't skip. 

Once I had made my casing for the elastic, I then had to do one of my least favourite jobs and thread the elastic through. Why have I never used a bodkin before? It made it so easy, no more wrong size safety pin getting stuck or caught. I can't recommend this tool enough for your sewing kit!

So there you have it....

One made to measure gypsy top, in vibrant tropical print and a new love of sewing with jersey.

Just need a bit of sunshine and summer now!