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!

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?

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!

Love Sewing Magazine's Shop of the Month!

Keep an eye out for Love Sewing's issue no.24, Flo-Jo Boutique is Shop of the Month and we talk about our new sewing kits and why we love sewing!

Spring colors on the cover!

And a bit of the shop inside! What sewing and craft magazines do you like to read?

Beginners Dressmakers results!

How gorgeous are these dresses made by our beginners dressmakers? I love the fact that even though they all made their dresses using the same sewing pattern (Colette's Laurel) they've ended up so differently!

They've learned new skills such as sewing in sleeves, bias-binding around the neckline, pockets and an invisible zip in material bought in the shop. 

If you would like to learn how to make this dress we've got a class lined up in the new year! We begin the 5 week course on Tuesday the 5th of January. You can book on to the course on our website, over the phone or come in to the shop. If you would like to give away a workshop or a class as a Christmas gift you can buy a Flo-Jo voucher!

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!

General sewing class starting in October!

On Wednesday the 7th of October our "General Sewing class" starts. Between 6 pm - 8 pm you can bring along that sewing pattern you are having trouble getting on with at home or those alterations you mean to do but need a hand pinning. A great opportunity for those with some sewing experience. It is £120 for 6 weeks and each session will be a mixture of teacher lead and student lead learning. So that you can also pick up some new skills, learning different details and techniques.

If you haven't got a pattern we stock a large range of sewing patterns as well as fabric and when you book on to a course with us you get 10% off your purchase in the shop.

Here is a photo of some sewers in our workshop in action.

We've still got places left so go on! Book online, give us a ring 0117 9041498 or pop in to the shop to secure a space. We can't wait to see what you will make!

Sewing workshops in September

We are getting very close to the start of our September sewing classes, how quickly time flies! On Saturday the 5th of September you can join our "Let's get Sewing" workshop from 10-1 pm. This is a great introduction for beginners, learning how to use a sewing machine and start sewing!

 On Tuesday the 8th of September, 6.30-9 pm we start the 5 week workshop for "Beginners dressmaking" where we are making the wonderful shift dress Laurel, see pattern below. The dress features 3/4 sleeves, a zip fastener in the back, darts and different optional details.

 Colette pattern "Laurel" can be bought in our shop for £14 as well as the backdrop material with roses £6.50 per meter.

Here are a couple of photos of the Laurel dress pattern made up in a striking bird print by Freespirit. It's £14 per meter and you can find it in our shop or here on our website. For more information about workshops you can give us a ring, pop in and have a chat with us in the shop or book online! Click here for more workshops.

New dressmaking patterns in stock!

This week we have a selection of new dress making patterns in stock.

The Eliza M patterns offer a Vintage inspired collection of beautiful dresses, a perfect pencil skirt and an on trend Gypsy top. Made in the UK, working with Janome, they are suitable for beginners, those returning to sewing or the more advanced. The have clear instructions with simple diagrams to follow.

Eliza M patterns 'are especially designed with you in mind, to make stitching accessible to everybody who has the desire to create.'

Eliza M patterns £14 each.

The Tilly and the Buttons patterns are a perfect addition to anyone's sewing basket.

With their user-friendly instructions, colour photos of each step and jargon buster. They make sewing a breeze, even for new dressmakers. With a touch of retro flare, these patterns will make fantastic staples in everyone's wardrobe...and they are fun and fulfilling to make yourself! What more could you ask for?

Tilly and the Buttons Patterns £13 each.

So pop into the shop to buy our new patterns or shop online for our Colette, Sewaholic and Merchant and Mills patterns here.

We look forward to seeing your creations soon! Happy stitching! Enjoy your weekend! xxx

New arrivals...

This week in the shop we've been able to add a few new floral brights to our fantastic new shelves.

 Their summery tones, ditsy prints or bold patterns, are making this very rainy Friday seem a little brighter! My favourite is the Kaffe Fasset print.

You can shop in store or online here.

What are you doing on this very soggy Friday?

What are you getting up to this weekend? We'd love to hear from you.

Glow by Amy Butler for Rowan- Peace flower £!4 per metre

Rustique by Emily Herrick for Michael Miller- Shark Tooth £14 per metre

Kaffe Fasset for Rowan- Lotus Leaf £14 per metre

Diary of a Geisha by Pippa Moon for Studio E Fabrics £14 per metre

Olivia by Emily Hayes for Penny Rose Fabric £14 per metre