Regular Update

I have had a couple of folks saying they have been having problems accessing the blog - I am hoping that it has just been a blip!

Just a quick up date post for you.

Here is Bernie's project that she has been working on.  All leftover pieces, so it hasn't cost her a penny on new fabric.

This is our Janet!  Janet celebrated her 80th birthday recently.  She celebrated it in style by throwing herself out of an aircraft with a tandem skydive - how amazing is she?

We've been working on some miniatures recently.  This one is using a small 60 degree template and the new Moda Sweetwater range.

Here is the lovely Christine modelling her dress that she made in dressmaking:

Our Craft Department upstairs have started a notice board which just highlights what's going on in the shop and also an opportunity for customers to blow their trumpets with photos of what they have made.

The garden scene is about finished I think, look at those lovely birds in their nests!

And the hedgehogs are multiplying and taking over!!

And finally here is Trina's Stylecraft Crochet Along.  The colours are lovely and she is working hard to try and keep up with the weekly installments.

Well that's all for now folks.  Don't forget we have a Facebook site now, look for us under Franklins Salisbury - there are near daily posts of what's been happening and coming up.

Well, another week of unsettled weather - we start the day in winter woollies and finish it in T-Shirts!  I really wish it would make it's mind up, it's very tiring.

We are off to Malvern on Sunday and are all very excited about our trip out.  We have some spaces left if anyone would like to join us.

New fabric just in: This is by Moda, Sweetwater.  It is not only a lovely colour but also one of the range has recipes printed all over it.  They are all in American measurements, so Cups but I really fancy a go at some of them.  Would make a great apron!

We had club on Monday with the usual crowd.  Last year we made a medallion quilt for our Block of the Month.  Jenny has persevered with hers since then and doesn't it look wonderful?  Please be impressed as most of this is pieced by hand!!  Only the outside border has been put on by machine.  The final border has been decided on and Jenny is hoping to have it completed by next month - no pressure Jenny!

My children have all loved the Star Wars series of films (boys and girls) and all very excited about the new one coming out later this year.  We have endless debates at the dinner table about whether it's going to be any good or not.  I fall into the old Star Wars camp I am afraid - Harrison Ford all the way!  This came in this week, so for anyone who has a Star Wars fan in the family you might want to invest in some: 100% cotton 112cm wide £14.45 per metre

Wednesday Evening Patchwork

We had Wednesday evening patchwork club last week.  The previous month we had a go at a whirly gig block and the challenge was issued to make something with the panel.  This was Kathleens lovely bag:

This is Kathy with her first attempt at machine quilting, I should have got a close up  to show you - she did a great job.

This was Bernadette's tea cosy:

And here is Jean hiding behind her cushion:

And this was Jean's as well - all by hand (please be impressed!):

And this little beauty was by Jac, who has just joined us:

How does your garden grow?

They've been at it again!!  Those lovely ladies upstairs have been busy knitting and crocheting away.  A wonderful garden scene is springing up (get it?  Springing up?? OK, never mind).

Aren't they wonderful?

We have had a number of clubs recently and here are a few photos of peoples projects;

This is the reverse of Alison's quilt:

And this is the front:

This is Julie's creation - this photo does not do it justice at all.  The colour's are beautiful, very calm and muted.  Made with Tilda fabrics.

 Both Saturday groups have been having a go at this as well.  All hand work.

Look who was here.....

Stuart Hillard of course. 

Stuart came and gave a brilliant talk on the Wednesday evening, many thanks to all of those who attended. He was entertaining and incredibly funny.  There were lots of little stories and secrets about the Great British Sewing Bee.

The following day he held a workshop upstairs in our Sewing Studio for 15 lucky ladies.  It was a full day but a lot of fun.

This is the bag that was made, and it is huge - no problems getting all your shopping in this baby!

This was Liz's version.

This was Lorinda's.  

At the end of the day Stuart issued a small challenge to them all to make use of some of the pieces that had been cut away.  They were quarter circle segments.  This is what Caroline came up with....

Watch out for more class's with Stuart in the future!

A few photos from Tamara's workshop on the Prym Love Day:

A good day was had by all I think. Keep a look out for further classes with Tamara in the future.

Cushion Cover Mark II

Now that looks better:

Quilted Cushion Course 23rd April 10 - 4pm

Post Tamara

Well, it's been a calmer day here in the shop today following Saturday's extravaganza with Tamara.  Photos's to follow

A great day was had by all I hope.  Thanks to everyone who popped into the shop or took part in a workshop - the children's one was especially well supported and they all did a brilliant job.  Extra special thanks go to Prym, who supported and sponsored the workshops throughout the day.

Here is a link to the Journal's website with a little piece and a photo of some of the children who came along: you might have to paste into your top bar

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/11887154.Sewing_Bee_finalist_hosts_workshop

In other news:

I'm working on a quilted cushion for a class - I think it needs a bit more work!!!

We had a Layer Cake Course last week, which produced some fantastic results:

Aren't they amazing?

Prym LOVE

With Tamara Melvin

BBC Sewing Bee –

Saturday 28^th March

Meet & Greet 9:30am – 10:30am

·      Book signing

·      Coffee and cake

·      Photo opportunities

Demonstrations 10:35am

Tamara & Franklins Salisbury staff will be demonstrating amazing and simple Prym products including Cover Buttons, Vario Snaps, Purse Fastenings and Knit Pro Knitting Needles.

A unique opportunity to work with

Tamara Melvin

from BBC Sewing Bee during our open day.

We will be offering an adult and child experience.

Details of Class
Mum will be making the bag from the Prym Love Panel - including inserting a zip. The child will be making the toy from the Prym Love panel, which involves learning how to "bag and stuff" a product. Class starts at Midday and finishes at 1:00pm. £15.00 includes all materials and sewing machine.

Layer Cake Fun - Thursday 19th March

Bring along a Layer Cake and some background fabric and make a start on a quick quilt.

Both quilts were from one Layer Cake, hard to believe I know.

Choose either of the quilts, knowing you have the other half for another one!  Or enlarge the existing pattern and make a larger one.  A fun day sewing and you get homemade cake!!!  Tempted??  I know it's the idea of the cake that sells it really and you need to come for the cake as I have given it up for Lent and can not have any - it's very hard watching other people eating cake!

Interested?  Give us a call on 01722 554466.

FELTING

Felting –                                                                          Sat 14^th March

An Introduction to                                                        10:00am – 3:00pm

Felting Techniques    

A full day covering dry needle felting and wet felting.  You will make two finished projects.  If you have ever wondered what the differences are between felting terms, or what you can felt and what you can felt into – this is the class for you.  We have an experienced tutor Suzie Guteridge, textile and felting artist.

Price £28.00         

Jill Carter Workshop Monday 23rd February

Jill Carter is an experienced and knowledgeable tutor who has taught all over the UK.  Jill is also the published author of many embroidery books on techniques including Canvas Work and Hardanger.

Jill will be here at our Salisbury Branch on Monday 23rd February to teach a class in this lovely cushion:

Isn't it stunning?  You will use soft velvet fabric and sparkly sheers which will combine with free machine embroidery techniques to create the beautiful fabric for this cushion.  Build on your skills using vermicelli and granite stitch for texture in addition to creating decorative cords from thread and yarn.

Interested?  Ring us on 01722 554466 to book your place.

Stuart Hillard coming to Salisbury

BBC Great British Sewing Bee Contestant – Stuart Hillard will be visiting our Salisbury Branch in April.

To book for the opportunity of meeting and having a class with Stuart please contact Franklins Salisbury to book and reserve your place on this great sewing class.

Evening Talk Wednesday 8th April

Stuart will be with us at Franklins to give us an insight into his life as a quilter and also his time on the Great British Sewing Bee. Come along and join us for this entertaining evening with some show and tell. Places are limited so booking early is advisable. Price includes drink and nibbles. Join us at 7pm.
Price £10 per person

Bag Workshop Thursday 9th April 10:00am – 4:00pm

The following day Stuart will be teaching a bag making workshop at our Sewing Studio. Requirements list for the class will be available before hand and although the bag may not be completed fully on the day, a fun day will be had making a start on it and full instructions will be given to complete once you get home

Price £45.00

Limited Spaces - Please call 01722 554466 to book your seat

Happy 2015!

OK, would someone please like to tell me what happened to the end of 2014?  The year seemed to end with a flurry and look, we are already well into 2015.........February!  

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year.  We, as a team, had a busy festive period, so busy that we have only just managed to have our staff Christmas meal this week.  We have started the New Year off with a bang with our sale and we are now starting to settle down with our new run of classes.  The new brochure is finished (at long last!) and has been emailed out - hard copy expected in the shop this week.  We have some great classes and events coming up this year, so if you need a copy let us know.

Clubs have already started and Ann is busy entertaining our dressmakers upstairs as I write.  These photos are from the Wednesday night patchwork group.  This is Jean with her version of last years Block of the Month quilt: 

This is Katherine with hers.  This is Katherine's first quilt as well.  The photo doesn't do it justice and what you can't make out is that there are little camper vans in the centres of the blocks:

This Kathleen's Japanese quilt that she has been working on:

That's Sharon peaking out from behind her quilt - all those Flying Geese!!

And big drum roll...........here is Ruth with her first quilt.  Ruth has worked long and hard on her beautiful quilt and we all gave her a great big cheer when it was finished.