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?

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!

Shift Dress- Beginners Dressmaking Class

On Tuesday the 7th of June, at 6.30-8.30pm we start another Beginners Dressmaking Class at Flo-Jo Boutique, making Colette Patterns Laurel dress as it has proved to be a favourite amongst our makers!

With the Laurel dress pattern you will learn how to follow a sewing pattern, sew sleeves, bias binding, a facing around a neckline as well as inserting a concealed zip. Below are some pictures from the latest class finished dresses!

Ollie made a dress for his girlfriend in this lovely blue cherries cotton print from our shop with shortened sleeves and a neckline with facing.

This is Kate's first ever garment and she finished it beautifully with a red and white polkadot binding and matching pocket!

Kelly's retro inspired shift dress was also finished off with binding as well as done with two pockets and an altered neckline.

If you want to learn how to make your own shift dress you can sign on to the next class online here! Or pop in to the shop or give us a ring 0117 9041498!

New Dressmaking Class- Colette patterns Hazel dress

Learn how to make this lovely Summer dress over a 5 week course at Flo-Jo Boutique. You will learn how to make a gathered skirt with in-seam pockets, sew a panelled fitted bodice and a concealed zip in the back of the dress.

The class runs from 6.30-8.30 on Tuesday evenings in the Flo-Jo workshop, starting on the 17th of May for £95.

Colette patterns Hazel dress for beginners comes as this lovely booklet filled with cutting layouts, easy to follow instructions and pattern pieces for UK sizes 6-22.

Book online, in the shop or over the phone 0117 9041498!

Beginners dressmaking class starting 12th of april

Just before Easter our most recent beginners dressmaking class finished their dresses using the Laurel dress pattern by Colette! We will have a new beginners class using the same sewing pattern starting from Tuesday the 12th of April if you are interested in giving it a go yourself!

Below are three very different versions of the Laurel dress which is a great first dressmaking project for those who haven't followed a sewing pattern before or attempted sewing sleeves and zips.

 You could add a contrast bias binding around the sleeves and neckline.

 Andrea made her Laurel dress fit her growing baby bump by adding pleat centre front.

Or you could make the Laurel dress in a plain denim and make the pockets a bit bigger as seen above. You will get help and advice along the way as well as get to know some brand new sewists and friends!

Read more and book online here!

Flo-Jo's half term Sewing Class

This morning we had eight keen sewers in the workshop making their own designed purses/pencil cases with felt faces and appliques.

Don't you think that their sketches came to life brilliantly in just two hours? We were very impressed!

Tote bag kit

Happy new year from Flo-Jo Boutique! Did you get a new sewing machine or maybe set a goal to start making more things 2016? Want to make yourself a carrier bag but don't know where to start? Make yourself an awesome tote bag with Flo-Jo Boutiques new sewing kit!

You've got the option of three different appliques and color ways on a dark denim fabric; Pineapple, Raincloud or Cherries! The kit contains a template for your applique as well as the felt and the webbing straps. With the help of clear instructions and diagrams this is the perfect sewing project for a beginner.

The bag also contains the material for a clever little pocket inside and a "Handmade by me label" which you can proudly add on!
If you are looking for Sewing classes to join in 2016, have a look at our website or pop in to the shop to see what classes we've got on in January!

Flo-Jo Boutique's New Apron Kit

They are here! Flo-Jo Boutique's new apron kit is officially in store!

The kit includes cotton fabric, a paper pattern, ribbon and clear instructions and diagrams for how to make your apron. It's an excellent project for a beginner and a nice gift for anyone that loves to sew.
The kit offers the option of adding a pocket and a ruffled hem or you might prefer it with just the ribbon as a detail, it's up to you!
We've got the apron kits in three different prints and colorways; red gingham, a blue rose apron kit and a pink rose apron kit.
Available in the shop, online at the Flo-Jo Boutique website or Not on the high street!

Flo-Jo beginners dressmaking and Sewing Club!

Over the last couples of weeks the workshop has been pretty busy in the evenings with our 'Beginners dressmakers on a Tuesday evening and the Flo-Jo Sewing Club on a Wednesday!

Here we see some darts being marked out on a denim Laurel dress in the making.

Super pretty pockets and another Laurel dress being made from an Echino print!

On Wednesdays we have a sewing club between 6-8 pm where you bring along your own project. So far Anne had some help sewing a waistband on a pair of trousers she made and cut a dress out. 

Sally did some embroidery for the first time...

Lu has been cutting out some intricate pleated pockets in calico to try and figure out how to put it together before making it for real. 

Beautiful right! Are you making anything at the moment? 

Learn more about our workshops and classes by clicking here or call or pop in to the shop!

October fabrics

I know it's only the first week of October but I am already keen on making something Halloween inspired before the end of the month!
We've got a great selection of prints of everything from skeletons to Frankenstein's monster, have a look at out website or click on the links below for more details.

 Are you a fan of Dracula or perhaps Skulls and roses?

Tarot card inspired prints.

Frida "Fantastico" Kahlo and Sugar skulls in bright colors.

"Frida's garden" with snakes and birds.

We've also got this "Viva Frida" from Alexander Henry, both in two colorways.

We've also got The bride of Frankenstein fabric if you are a fan of the horror genre.

And don't forget about this Flaming hearts print and this lovely kitsch folkloric fabric.

Are you making your own costume this year?