Flo-Jo Boutique

Saturday 10 December 2016

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!

Saturday 8 October 2016

Beginners Dressmaking Class Results!

On Tuesday evening it was our Beginner Dressmakers last week and we wanted to share their beautiful dresses with you!
This teal number is made from a gorgeous Art Gallery Fabrics print from our shop. Made with a slightly scooped out neckline with a facing.
 Lina made this cheerful shift dress with a Marimekko fabric she bought in Finland!
Here is the teal dress again as well as a lovely Dashwood studio print shift dress!
This artisan look dress was made with our Olive green french linen and Lou added a lovely cream bias binding around the neckline.
How perfect will this black dress with golden dots look in the Holiday season? Lovely job!

If you would love to learn where to start when making yourself a dress or if you would like to brush up on your sewing skills next Beginner Dressmaking Class is starting on Tuesday the 8th of November. Click here to book online and secure a space!

Thursday 8 September 2016

Stretch Knicker Making Class

Join us on the Saturday the 1st of October 10.30-1pm for a morning of knicker making!
This workshop is a great introduction to sewing with jersey as well as making lingerie. We will be using Flo-Jo's stretch knicker pattern to make a comfy pair of 'shortie' stretch knickers with stretch lace to give a professional looking finish!
The pattern comes in UK sizes 6-22 and all materials are included in the class. You'll never need to buy a pair of ready made knickers again after this workshop, we do have limited spaces so book now and why not bring a friend!

Saturday 3 September 2016

Inspiring customers!

What is more inspiring than working in a shop filled with lovely fabrics? Seeing what customers make from them of course! We are always curious of what you are planning to make with your purchases and always amazed when you show us what you made.

Here are a couple of lovely makes to inspire you to turn the tv OFF and sewing machine ON!
We love the mix of prints for this handmade pencil case, an Inprint fabric and yellow Riley Blake cotton for the lining.
This a top and skirt to be made! Those pansies
Choosing prints and colours for patchwork can be a seriously tricky business. We love the mix of this customers work so far! 
These cushions were made by us in our workshop for a couple and their plain two seat sofa. The hedgehog print is by Sevenberry and the swallows is an organic cotton by Birch. Pom-poms in all sorts of colours are also available in the shop!

We would love it if you'd like to share your Flo-Jo make with us on our facebook page and blog, please email us:
flojoboutique@gmail.com

Saturday 16 July 2016

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?

Wednesday 6 July 2016

Tilda's work experience project

My Name is Tilda and I have choosen to do my year 10 school work experience here at Flo-Jo.

Product review.

I made a small felt fawn from a kit sold in the shop. The kit is called 'Flora the Fawn' and is a product of the Crafty Kit Co. a small British company that creates small sewing and crafting kits, mostly aimed at children. The kit contained all of the components needed to make the fawn, including the thread and needle and also very easy to follow instructions, complete with step-by-step pictures.


However, although the kit is aimed at 'craft lovers over 7 years old', there was a lot of hand sewing involved, so a certain amount of patience is needed. there. I would suggest children should be at least 9 or 10  (unless they are unusually patient!). The finished product is really sweet and worthwhile, as long as you stuff the legs well to give the fawn support, which I unfortunately failed to do.




Monday 27 June 2016

A Little Bit of Jersey.

One of the best things about the Sewing Bee is that you see people working out of their comfort zone. On the back of this I though it was about time that I started sewing more with stretch fabrics. With a shop full of beautiful print cottons it's easy to get stuck on what you know, but as we expand our stretch section it's time to challenge that.


This vibrant digital print was just the incentive I needed.

As a starting point I decided to copy a cute gypsy top I bought last year which, although I love, has always been a bit too short and shown too much tummy for my liking.


Don't be afraid of copying a pattern of a favourite piece of clothing. Just remember to start simple, get yourself some pattern paper, a tape measure and always add in a seam allowance. It is also a good idea to make a mock up, or toile, in some cheap fabric to check if you have got the pattern right, but of course I didn't do that!


Having made my pattern I started sewing. The side and raglan seams were sewn on the overlocker but could have just as easily been done on a normal sewing machine with a stretch stitch. The key tip when sewing jersey on a normal sewing machine is to change your needle. A stretch or ball point needle will ensure your stitches don't skip. 


Once I had made my casing for the elastic, I then had to do one of my least favourite jobs and thread the elastic through. Why have I never used a bodkin before? It made it so easy, no more wrong size safety pin getting stuck or caught. I can't recommend this tool enough for your sewing kit!


So there you have it....
One made to measure gypsy top, in vibrant tropical print and a new love of sewing with jersey.
Just need a bit of sunshine and summer now!





Sunday 19 June 2016

Great British Sewing Bee Inspired African Dress

I watched the Sewing Bee last week and loved International Week... my latest favourite.
The dressmaking challenge was to use Batik Cottons which are made in the Netherlands.  I thought these fabrics were made in Africa but it turns ourt they're made in the Netherlands. The Dutch copied the original designs from Java in the 19th century and were going to sell them in Indenisia but stopped of in West Africa on the way and ended up selling them there instead. The designs then were influenced by Africans more and more over years.
The weight of the fabric it lends itself to creating great sculptural shapes. The peplum is a popular shape that is used at the waist to enhance the hips or from the knee to create a fish tail. Traditional west African women make the most wonderful sculptural headresses with it.

Drawing inspiration from The Sewing Bee and then pictures of African dresses I decided to make a dress from two differnet patterns, the top half of the Colette Eclair pattern and the skirt of the New Look 6124. I used a navy and white print cotton with an orange viscose for the lining and sach/tie. I decided to add in straps which I made so they can be worn straight over the shoulder or crossed at the back.






Saturday 18 June 2016

Flo-Jo Tote bag kit

We get asked about kits for beginners and projects for a rainy afternoon quite often in the shop. Would you like to learn how to sew an applique and how to sew a bag? The Flo-Jo Tote Bag kit is great start!
The tote bag kit comes in three different motifs. Which one is your favourite pick?
Pineapple, Raincloud or Cherries?
With the kit you get all of the pieces to make one bag including denim for the bag, straps, your chosen applique and an inside pocket as well as instructions and a cutting pattern.
The kits are available in the shop or online for £18!
Cut back on plastic bags and learn the skills to make a stylish bag!
The pineapple bag is my favourite!

Friday 3 June 2016

Sewing Bee inspired Q & A

When the Great British Sewing Bee is in full swing we all get inspired to try something new.
The lovely people from Sew magazine choose us to ask about sewing lingerie after week 3 ...'Lingerie week'
We were happy to share some tips from our years of making.

Follow the link below to see what was said.

http://www.sewmag.co.uk/blog/tips-for-sewing-lingerie-by-flo-jo-boutique


Saturday 28 May 2016

Shift Dress- Beginners Dressmaking Class

On Tuesday the 7th of June, at 6.30-8.30pm we start another Beginners Dressmaking Class at Flo-Jo Boutique, making Colette Patterns Laurel dress as it has proved to be a favourite amongst our makers!
With the Laurel dress pattern you will learn how to follow a sewing pattern, sew sleeves, bias binding, a facing around a neckline as well as inserting a concealed zip. Below are some pictures from the latest class finished dresses!
Ollie made a dress for his girlfriend in this lovely blue cherries cotton print from our shop with shortened sleeves and a neckline with facing.
This is Kate's first ever garment and she finished it beautifully with a red and white polkadot binding and matching pocket!
Kelly's retro inspired shift dress was also finished off with binding as well as done with two pockets and an altered neckline.

If you want to learn how to make your own shift dress you can sign on to the next class online here! Or pop in to the shop or give us a ring 0117 9041498!

Monday 23 May 2016

Yeehaw!



Well it's been a long time coming but at last I put time aside to make my very own cowboy shirt, adapted into a very wearable dress, made out of some gorgeously soft light weight denim.
I bought this pattern over two years ago on Ebay and it has 5 great variations including one which has a button bib to protect the shirt from a 'steers horns'! I decided I didn't need this and chose Version E, though next time I think I will also add decorative plackets.


The instructions that came with the pattern were surprisingly good for a vintage pattern with fantastically clear diagrams. Having recently mastered welt pockets I thought it would be fun to challenge myself with these curved piped ones, but it was definitely worth doing a couple of practice runs before moving onto the real thing.


It was really important to follow the pattern's top tip and start with the bottom piping first, keeping the fabric as flat as possible as you sew the piping along the curved slash line to avoid gathering. If it is the first time you are doing a welt pocket you are very brave! I recommend watching a Youtube tutorial and practicing a conventional version first, before moving on.


I went a bit piping crazy, adding piping to the cuff and contrast stitching for extra detailing.
Pearly stud buttons were essential and I love the finished look they give.


The pattern came with a fantastic 'Cowboy Lore and Special Techniques' section, which amongst other things showed how to embroider arrowhead pocket reinforcements. I decided not to do this and give the shirt a more contemporary feel by just doing a bar tack either end. Also my embroidery skills need serious improving! I do have ideas of doing a Mexican tin art inspired embroidered design on the back of my next one but I guess we'll have to wait for another couple of years for that one...

How to sew welt pockets - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MOuOLkLqQM
Manuel's piped pockets - http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3834/video-manuels-piped-pockets


Saturday 14 May 2016

Flo-Jo Boutique - Skirt in a Day Class

Today we had the "Sew a Skirt in a Day Class" in the Flo-Jo work shop. We had two lovely makers booked in, despite the very tempting sunshine!
Ready to make their very first garment, they both chose a cotton print each to work with. If you are looking for spring summed up in a skirt they'll look something like this!



Two very concentrated sewers. They both chose to make a pleated skirt with a 5 cm wide waistband and concealed zip down the centre back seam.

 

Look at the work on this concealed zip, it's perfectly sewn. For a first zip ever, that is very impressive!


Waistband in place, time for a button and buttonhole.


After a couple of fittings, adjustments and a hem; Two beautiful handmade skirts, in one day!

About Me

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Bristol, United Kingdom
Flo-jo Boutique is the creative baby of Delia and Erika two seamstresses from Bristol specialising in lingerie and vintage styled garments. Designers of sewing kits and creators of sewing parties their shop in Bristol and online shop are home to a gorgeous range of quality fabrics and haberdahsery, craft kits, books and handmade gifts.