Fabric & Finery

What a great idea for our young people...well worth checking out? Great that also the sewing machines are provided, so it would be a superb opportunity to find out if some more young people could possibly catch the sewing bug?? 😍

This group here is organizing great summer classes in Glasgow for young people, will share a couple of posts to tell you more about them, this is a brilliant move, absolutely in the right direction!!

Morning All! Want to learn HOW TO USE A SEWING MACHINE over the summer? Either on your machine or on one of our brilliant Husqvarna Emerald 118 school machines to see first if this new hobby could be for you?
We have a couple of spaces left for the next 4 week block, the dates are as follows: Wed eve, 19.30-22.00 on the 10.07./17.07./31.7./7.8.2019. £95 for 4 x 2.5hr sessions incl. all materials required, a boiling kettle and cookies/chocolates for the nerves...just bring a s...mall sewing kit with scissors, threads, unpicker. If you are unsure what to buy, wait until after the first session where we explain all about the great differences in qualities of sewing haberdashery on the market.
Session 1: Introduction to your Sewing Machine, learning to thread and to wind bobbins, get to know the different types of threads that are on the market, the different needles for each job, the sewing machine feet and other equipment. First steps of sewing after all that theory: Making Bunting, all materials provided
2nd session: Zipped Wool Felt Pouch with piping and lace insert, all materials provided. We will teach you the normal dress zip as one of the first topics to combat any worries about those for good and enable you to make lots more pouches and wee bags after, can never have enough of those! :-)
3rd session: Dressmaking/Garment session: We discuss commercial Dressmaking Patterns, their adjustments to your own body measurements, we will sew open & closed darts and have a good look at garment construction and different garment styles, different dressmaking materials, woven and knitted and their benefits and disadvantages. Will also discuss alterations and repurposing of garments etc. If you have a garment that just doesn't fit you right, feel free to bring it and we will discuss/pin it on you. Ask us any garment related questions.
4th session: You will be making a piped Cushion with a covered normal dress zip, all materials provided. You will learn about the different piping cords and how to use them. You will pick your fabric from a selection at the end of session 3 and we will cut the cushion shapes out for you for session 4, so you can completely concentrate on the making of the cushion.
Any questions at all? Just PM us. Full payment secures your space. Classes take place upstairs in the workroom at "fabric & finery" Parking in the Swimming Pool Car Park across the road is free after 6pm.
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Morning All, Thought you might like to see the TAPESTRY CUSHION we custom made for one of our clients yesterday after stretching the canvas into shape, loved the golf theme and loved the unusual colours....! Will attach some previous ones as well, for good measure :-)
Also, we have CUSHION FILLERS for tapestry cushions and any other ones in BOTH FIBRE AND FEATHER AVAILABLE IN 12 SIZES..... another client came in yesterday and said she asked in two other shops where in Helen...sburgh she could buy cushion fillers and both said they wouldn't know?!?! 😱 Well, we stock them for 10 years and if you would need an unusual shape, we can make you a customized one even! 👀
Have a lovely day everyone! 💐
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Busy at the Quilt Club tonight....already at block 8 with the aim to have 12 different blocks completed to make a classic sampler quilt so that before Christmas the Club members know every single step from cutting to assembling to doing the math for more complicated quilt blocks, to squaring off, to assembling the quilt sandwich, quilting, binding and finishing....here are pictures of our latest blocks....more soon as in the heat of the moment I have forgotten to take more pi...ctures, which is a shame as everyone uses different colours and the blocks are all beautiful!
You can join the Quilt Club anytime and pick the blocks you wish to learn/make, also continue on your own projects and we will all help you along...same great "me time" in between like minded people. Fortnightly, either Tue night 19.30-22.00 or Sat morn 10.00 - 12.30, PM us for more info.
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With warm, personal and specialized service and professional advice thrown in....we don't need "chat windows" online, we chat to you for real! 😂

CHILDRENS PANELS / QUILTING & PATCHWORK We are having a sale on our 91cm/36inch by 112cm/44inch childrens panels so you have something to do in this chilly undecided weather... it is easier online than in the shop to see all the full panels at a glance, so please see attached the pictures, we are more than happy to do mailorder at £1.40 for up to 250g large letter 2nd class and £1.80 for up to 500g 2nd class in. case you liked a few more panels - we also have corresponding fa...brics for each, happy to message pictures if required 👀
ALL THESE PANELS ARE REDUCED FROM £12.90 to £9 EACH (30% OFF).
Please PM us or phone us to reserve your chosen panels, you may pay over the phone (01436 672300) for mail order or in the shop on collection.
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Some food for thought for the weekend...kids grow so quick. In our family we have come to find that more than 3 or 4 outfits do not actually get worn a lot, so why not just buy less. A lot less. And buy something sustainable. Expensive? Yes, of course, its not from a large rotten factory with falling ceilings...so clearly it costs more to produce. But how much better would it be to your skin to have less chemicals in the dye, a better base cloth - its your skin, your biggest ...organ, all the chemicals from clothes get sucked right into your system....I feel good if I know that in the production of my clothes no one has been exploited.
Equally, if we make, mend or create things for our lovely customers here at the shop, we would love to be remunerated in a way that we can still be here in many years time. Not with three cars and holiday homes each, but just to be sustainable, to be balanced. A "bargain" often means someone is loosing their existence whilst others use aggressive means to lure people away but this only works short time. We must learn that living a sustainable life needs to move away a little from the aggressive bargain hunting, from just looking at pure pricing of things rather than the full picture of quality, origin etc. A slightly higher price is not always a "rip off", its sometimes just the truth how much things should really cost in order to survive.
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Want to learn to use a Sewing Machine over the Summer?
You are very welcome to use one of our Husqvarna Emerald 118 non-computerized school sewing machines to see if this new hobby is of interest to you before perhaps adding your own machine to this years Santa list? 👀 Equally you are invited to bring your own machine to get used to it and find out how it works and what it can offer you!
Registration is now open for the next SEWING MACHINE FOR BEGINNERS CLASS:
... Wednesday, 10.07.19 / 19.30 – 22.00 / first of 4 sessions on the following dates: 10.07. / 17.07./31.07.19. / 07.08.19
”MACHINE SEWING CLASS FOR ADULTS & TEENAGERS”
Please bring a sewing kit = fabric scissors, pins, threads, bobbins. If you haven’t bought these tools yet, buy only after the first session as we will explain different qualities of these, what to buy and what to avoid, so for the first evening you may borrow anything you need from the school tools
The class fee for these 4 sessions of 2.5hrs each is £95 incl. all materials needed for each session, tea, coffee, water, cookies & chocolates for the nerves 😊
Introduction to your Sewing Machine, learning to thread and to wind bobbins, get to know the different types of threads that are on the market, the different needles for each job, the sewing machine feet and other equipment.
1st session: First steps of sewing after all that theory: Making Bunting, all materials provided
2nd session: Zipped Felt Pouch with piping and lace insert, all materials provided. We will teach you the normal dress zip as one of the first topics to combat any worries about those for good. After this session you could tackle any simple pouch or a zipped cushion, the principle is always the same.
3rd session: Dressmaking session / Alterations: We discuss commercial Dressmaking Patterns, their adjustments to your own body measurements, we will sew open & closed darts and have a good look at garment construction and different garment styles, different dressmaking materials, woven and knitted and their benefits and disadvantages.
4th session: You will be making a piped Cushion with a covered standard zip, all materials provided. This will be your reference cushion cover that will help you making more of those at home in your own time.
Please PM us with any questions you may have! 😀
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We were just talking about this in the Dressmaking Sewing Bee Club last night....the style of the 50s and 60s....so nicely fitted clothing, well worth the trying with the toiles and all, to achieve that fit, "getting dressed" gets a completely different feeling to it....the dressmaking patterns we are stocking, by "Sew Over It", really replicate the style of those times, some of our club members are currently making dresses with these patterns, they really look the part! Its not a question of "but I can buy it cheaper in a shop" - its a question of "first I will never find this kind of a dress in a high street shop, and 2nd, it actually fits me like a glove" - what a boost for your confidence to go out in a garment like that! www.sewoverit.co.uk

Morning Everyone, the class below is now cancelled for this weeks start (30.5.) but rescheduled for after the schools are back on in August. So the new dates would be as follows:
Thursday, 22.08.2019 / 16.00 – 18.00 / first of 4 sessions WEEKLY (+29.08., 05.09.19. 12.09.19) ”MACHINE SEWING CLASS FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR ADULT”... You may bring your own sewing machine that you wish your child to get comfortable with or you can use one of our brilliant sewing school machines, the manual Husqvarna Emerald 118 with a "stitch at a time" pedal function so your child can go really slow at the beginning, with your help and our tuition. All Materials needed to complete all projects are included in the class fee, also the use of scissors, pins, etc and a wee snack plus drinks to keep you going! The class fee for these 4 weeks incl. venue, all materials needed, pre-cutting the fabrics into the required shapes, tuition, teas, coffees, juices and a selection of snacks incl. gluten free is £95 per party of two. The projects we will complete over these 4 weeks are week 1: Learn how the machine works and make bunting week 2: Make an easy zipped pouch week 3: Make an apron with fabric or coated cotton (PVC) week 4: Get to know bondaweb and stick fabric shapes onto a cushion cover and zig zag around them (applique) and complete your zipped cushion. The class is geared towards completion of each project each week in case you do not yet have a sewing machine at home, so all material will be provided pre cut and made ready for your child to sew up. Follow up projects can then be undertaken by yourself in your own time, following the completed project as a proto-type. The suitable age of your child for starting on a sewing machine? This is left to your own judgement as you will be present in each class sitting next to your child and helping him/her, you carry the responsibility for your child, we are providing the tuition for both of you, so you are basically both learning about sewing on the one machine and can certainly take turns on the sewing in case your child gets tired. However, your child needs to be settled enough to go through the 2 hours of class without disturbing the other participants. Please let us know if you need any further information, please book your place through the shop or via facebook and secure your space with full payment, either in person, via BAC or over the phone. This provides a great chance for some real "quality time" for you and the child, entering a whole new creative area or introducing the child to your beloved sewing world.
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Well, take the train as it will be impossible to park during the Tattoo in Edinburgh but this exhibition promises to be very interesting and should be well worth the travel!

Would you like to join our DRESSMAKING & ALTERATIONS SEWING BEE CLUB fortnightly on Monday mornings 9.30am to 12noon or Tuesday evenings 19.30 - 22.00 at the school of sewing & handicraft at "fabric & finery" in Helensburgh?
If you were able to handle a sewing machine in sense of threading, winding bobbins and simple sewing, you are perfectly prepared for this club. In the fortnightly sessions we discuss DRESSMAKING FROM SCRATCH, from patterns, calculations, body measurements..., etc. I help you make your toile that fits you, explain the pattern lingo, anything you may want to know to make your new garment from scratch. We discuss different fabrics and what style of garments they are good for.
We also discuss ALTERATIONS and show you how to shorten trousers, skirts, dresses...exchange zips (jeans, dress concealed, jackets, whatever you like), how to make garments bigger, how to fix rips and holes, how to fit a dress on you that you love but it was always too big around the shoulders, etc etc
Equally we look at REPURPOSING of GARMENTS e.g. making a skirt that you bought from the charity shop as a long skirt size 22 because you happened to like the fabric fit your size 12 as a short A line mini skirt...making a jeans dress for your wee girl out of an old jeans shirt belonging to your partner, whatever you like really...
Its a great vibe in these group sessions and we have a couple of spaces left in each. There is a lot of show and tell each time, which works as great encouragement for the others in the group. PM us for any questions you may have. Club fee is £12 per 2.5hour session, always bookable in advance, from one date to the next so we know how many people will attend next time. Shop purchases on the day for items used for this clubs' projects attract a 10% discount. The kettle is boiling and there are always cookies in the tin. You may use one of the schools Husqvarna Emerald 118 sewing machines if you find yours too cumbersome to bring along.
To book a club session you just send us a message to www.facebook.com/fabricandfinery with your phone and email and you can pay over the phone or just come along for the first session and pay then. The next Mon AM session is on 10th June as we are skipping the bank holiday tomorrow, the next PM session is this Tuesday 28th. Then always in a 14day rhythm 😀
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Ever heard of Mary Quant? Well, I love her, she is 85 now and I am so happy for her that all the books about her and the exhibitions etc happen in her life time, so often these things only pop up as soon as artists have passed away....in case you wish to download her free pattern for a super versatile retro dress, please find the link below.

Dear All, just wanting to know if there was any more interest in the childrens sewing class - so many moms and granmas asked me to put such a class on and once I had prepared and organized it all, only one family booked it. I would need another couple of bookings at least to make this work, otherwise I am afraid I will have to call this class off on the 28th of May and then refund the lovely lady who already paid for it. Please kindly let me know. Many Thanks, Irina
Thursday,... 30.05.2019 / 16.00 – 18.00 / first of 4 sessions WEEKLY (+06.06.. 13.06.19. 20.06.19)
”MACHINE SEWING CLASS FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR ADULT”
You may bring your own sewing machine that you wish your child to get comfortable with or you can use one of our brilliant sewing school machines, the manual Husqvarna Emerald 118 with a "stitch at a time" pedal function so your child can go really slow at the beginning, with your help and our tuition. All Materials needed to complete all projects are included in the class fee, also the use of scissors, pins, etc and a wee snack plus drinks to keep you going!
The class fee for these 4 weeks incl. venue, all materials needed, pre-cutting the fabrics into the required shapes, tuition, teas, coffees, juices and a selection of snacks incl. gluten free is £95 per party of two.
The projects we will complete over these 4 weeks are week 1: Learn how the machine works and make bunting week 2: Make an easy zipped pouch week 3: Make an apron with fabric or coated cotton (PVC) week 4: Get to know bondaweb and stick fabric shapes onto a cushion cover and zig zag around them (applique) and complete your zipped cushion. The class is geared towards completion of each project each week in case you do not yet have a sewing machine at home, so all material will be provided pre cut and made ready for your child to sew up. Follow up projects can then be undertaken by yourself in your own time, following the completed project as a proto-type.
The suitable age of your child for starting on a sewing machine? This is left to your own judgement as you will be present in each class sitting next to your child and helping him/her, you carry the responsibility for your child, we are providing the tuition for both of you, so you are basically both learning about sewing on the one machine and can certainly take turns on the sewing in case your child gets tired. However, your child needs to be settled enough to go through the 2 hours of class without disturbing the other participants. Please let us know if you need any further information, please book your place through the shop or via facebook and secure your space with full payment, either in person, via BAC or over the phone. This provides a great chance for some real "quality time" for you and the child, entering a whole new creative area or introducing the child to your beloved sewing world.
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** BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND OPENING TIMES **
Good morning everyone to a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend with the kids being up since 5, the dog having already been sick because it didn't digest the chips from last night, most adults in the house being a bit tender because they all have a sore head....why not leave them all behind and pop down to us for a wee browse in peace....ever wondered why I don't have any music in the shop? Yes, for peace and being able to let your thoughts ...trail through potential projects and colour combinations....
We are OPEN this BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND as follows: Today, SATURDAY 25.5. from 9.30am to 5pm Tomorrow, SUNDAY CLOSED BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY OPEN from 12noon to 4pm
EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER THIS WEEKEND: All quilting panels on the rail are 20% off!! 😍Great choice from baby/toddler panels, to older children/adult panels through to winter/Christmas panels - have a look! Advent Calendar classes coming up as soon as the kids are back in school in August and to make your first quilt with a baby panel you are more than welcome to join the fabric & finery Quilt Club fortnightly on Tue eve or Sat morn 👀...
Happy to look after you, Irina and team x
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Welcome to a glorious morning in Scotland!
Equally glorious is our newest quilt block that we tackled at last nights QUILT CLUB, the snail trail. This is normally a foundation piecing block but I am always determined to draw up instructions to make these kind of blocks free hand as foundation piecing is quite wasteful - and presto, it worked!
We also welcomed a new member who started at the beginning of the fortnightly blocks, the log cabin, to practise her cutting and accur...acy skills....others are somewhere in the middle and were working their way through the star block, the knotted block, the flying geese...depending on which stage they are at. Its a good mix here at the "fabric & finery" quilt club! All blocks are accompanied with a full detailed tutorial on email and on paper print out.
You are also invited to bring your own project along for some me-time sewing and ask any questions you may have, be it about binding or fixing a mistake etc etc
You can use all the clubs equipment at the beginning, even the school sewing machines if you don't want to carry yours along....only condition is that you need to know how to use a sewing machine, after that you have all you need to join us.
The Quilt Club takes place fortnightly on a Tuesday night 19.30 - 22.00 or on a Saturday morning from 10.00 to 12.30. And yes, the kettle is on and the cookie tin is full to keep you going :-)
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