August Newsletter
As I write this we seem to be having another heatwave, just when I thought it was starting to cool a little!! Best we keep those light and wafty clothes out for a little longer.
So, depending on what time of day you are reading this, make yourself a cuppa or pour yourself a glass of something chilled and settle down for a read. I’ve been very lax on social media of late so there is much to share with you – new fabrics, classes, sewing retreat, coach trip and sale fabric and plenty more.
Don’t forget , from September 6th , Stitch will be open until 4pm on Saturdays. This is following on from the feedback we received from the recent questionnaire.
Knit & Stitch Show
There are still a few tickets available for a place on the coach to the Knit & stitch show – we have two coaches confirmed for Sunday 12th October
We will leave from Storrington at 8am and will be back around 6pm.
If you would like a ticket please ring or call into the shop to book your ticket, payment will be required upon booking.
Tickets are £45 each and include your admission.
Sewing Bee…..
Have you been watching this series? It feels better than the last two in that the judges are looking at how a garment is constructed rather than its overall design. There have been some great makes and I have been finding patterns in the shop that are similar to some of the challenges. If you were inspired by the iconic Diane von Furstenberg dress we do have a wrap dress class coming up in October. It is the Chichester wrap dress by Sussex Seamstress and looks like it will flatter many shapes.
Summer sewing
It has been a delight to see you coming in with all your beautiful dresses, tops, childrenswear and a myriad of other projects that you have been making. We do love a good ‘show and tell’ so here are a few that we have had in recently.
There are still plenty of summer fabrics available in the shop and I’ve just had a few more delivered as we are not quite ready to embrace the needlecords etc just yet!
New Fabrics….Yay!!!
So, we have had some very lovely (yes, I am a little biased!) craft cottons in. They sit very well with the others and make great blenders or work well on their own. Do you love the playmat panel with its accompanying fabrics??
Alongside this, we have stocked up the jersey fabrics and have some more plain colours to go with the selection of patterned ones. There is a very soft boucle in a mid blue that I don’t think will hang around for long. I know one of our staff members will have her eye on a meter or two of it to make a cosy sweatshirt. There are also needlecords in some scrumptious colours and some more printed viscose.
Workshops…..
We currently have 33 workshops in the diary to choose from, including another chance to participate in some charity sewing making drain bottle bags for the breast care unit in Worthing. There are some new patterns we are using including a Tilly and the Buttons trouser pattern , a perennial favourite – the coco top (so cosy and easy to wear) and a repeat of the Everyday Chic dress as we are oversubscribed for the one this month.
Take a look on the website for pictures & full details of what is on offer.
New Sewers…
If you are new to sewing and need a bit of advice – do take a look at the website under the ‘our shop’ tab. On the sewing machine page we have troubleshooting information and a video showing you how to thread up a machine. Or, maybe pop over to the page explaining about interfacing and wadding – go on, have a good poke around on there and see what you can learn (no, not yet, finish the newsletter first!)
What else is new in the shop…..
We had a big delivery of books last week and the book stand has lots for you to choose/be tempted by. – a small selection is below. From hand embroidery to drafting your own dressmaking patterns and everything in between you are spoilt for choice
As requested there are preprinted embroidery and cross stitch kits and some simple first sewing kits for children too. More cross stitch kits are being contemplated although trying to work out what people want is proving rather tricky.
P.S We have reduced some craft cottons to make way for the new ones – you will find them stacked under the remnants table
Sewing Retreat 17th & 18th January 2026
Would you like to join us for the third sewing retreat? At the moment I am not able to finalise the cost as I am waiting for the hotel to get back to me, however I anticipate it will be somewhere around £240.
The retreat is held at Tottington Manor in Edburton. In previous years they have looked after us brilliantly and the venue is very welcoming. The weekend starts at 9.30 on saturday morning and ends at 5pm on Sunday. Included in the price are lunch and a two course evening meal on the Saturday, morning pastries and lunch on the Sunday. This is interspersed with a regular supply of home baked goodies and plenty of tea and coffee.
If you wish to stay overnight rooms are available at an extra charge.
In between the eating (!) you can crack on with the projects you have brought with you with assistance from Jan and Lucy. There will be optional break out sessions for teaching particular skills but essentially the weekend is about carving out some sewing time for you with assistance from us when needed.
If you are interested and would like some more information then do let me know and I will send more details.
Well, that’s all for now. Excellent work on your part for getting this far down . Don’t forget to take a look at what’s coming up soon and get on the phone to book your space.
Happy sewing
Jan and the team
