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!

Flo-Jo Sewing classes and workshops in November

Do you want to learn a new skill or maybe make some handmade Christmas gifts this year? We have got lots of lovely sewing classes and workshops lined up to keep you busy all through November.

Lets get sewing Level 2: Saturday 31st of October
Techniques for nice finishing on pockets and zips etc, 10-1 pm.

Beginners dressmaking: Starting Tuesday 3rd of November, 5 weeks at 6.45-9 pm
Learn how to use a sewing pattern and make Colette's Laurel dress. Over 5 weeks you will cut out your pieces, set in sleeves and put in an invisible zip etc.

Flo-Jo Sewing Club: Starting 4th of November,6-8 pm.
Our new drop in sewing club offers the opportunity to get some guidance on your projects as well as meet some like minded creative people.

Flo-Jo Knicker making workshop: Saturday 7th of November
You will make a fabulous pair of knickers and leave with the skills to make many more!

Lets get sewing Level 1: Saturday 14th of November
Great for beginners, learn how to use a sewing machine. 10-1 pm.

Christmas Advent Calendar Making Workshop:Saturday 21st of November
This years calendar is a gorgeous little Christmas tree with pockets all around it, join the class and make one you too!

Boxer Short Making Workshop: Saturday 28th of November
Make a pair of boxer shorts that would make a lovely gift(or you could keep them for yourself)
10-1 pm.

To secure a space on to one of our classes and get more information on prices, click on the links above to book online or pop in or call the shop. For fabrics, sewing patterns and plenty of inspiration, visit our website:

www.flo-joboutique.co.uk

Flo-Jo Children's Sewing Club

Next week we have a break for half term so there are no classes on for our children and teen sewers but I thought it could be fun to share what they have been up to this term.

They've made wraps for their sewing tools, practicing different techniques in our Tuesday afternoon classes.

Making pockets, sewing on ribbons for pencils and pinking felt pieces for our pins to go on.

They've also practiced some stitching by hand, adding their initials to the kits and sewing a double fold bias-binding all around the edge.

If you've been inspired and would like to do some sewing yourself, have a look at our different workshops here!

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?

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!

New in! Wool!

We've got some new fantastic wool in bright and happy colors, both contain a mix of 80% wool and 20% Polyester. At 150 cm wide you can easily fit a jacket pattern in over a couple of meters.

Lovely and soft, perfect for the new season!

 Depending on your personal style; we've got this stylish Sewaholic pattern for a fitted jacket with a peplum detail for £12. Merchant & Mills Baby bow scissors £7 and glass headed pins £5.50 would make a lovely gift for any home sewer!

We also stock Colette patterns from £14. You could make a short wrap coat or a classic double breasted jacket. I think the blue wool would look really nice made up into an Ansie jacket. What do you think?

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