Sewing Studio for Hire

Recently a few other Scottish sewing bloggers decided to meet up again, but instead of shopping and eating (like last time or the time before) we tried out a new sewing-space-for-hire and spent the afternoon sewing and eating instead!

Tucked away in the Charing Cross area of Glasgow is a light-filled sewing studio called The Stitchery.

  

They run some day and evening classes there, but you can also pay just to sit and sew using their overlockers and sewing machines.  Kerry organised a day and time so that we could sit happily together for 4 hours and sew!  We paid a wee bit extra and had a catered lunch too.

There is ample space for 10 sewing machines as well as extra tables and floor space for cutting, lunch and overlocking.

You can also bring along your own machine if you prefer, but it is three flights of stairs to tackle, as Katy can attest to!

see that cardboard box down there?
That's the ground floor!

As I would be using a fancy new machine that I was unfamiliar with, I decided to take along a patchwork task as well as a cut out skirt, and I am glad I did.  I preferred doing some plain, straight stitching as learning about a new machine took a bit more time than I had expected.  Not finished yet, but I will post about what I'm making another time.

It was really nice to catch up with some of the blog writers that I read and to see what they are up to lately.

Hazel who writes Disaster in a Dress, me, and Katy from The Littlest Thistle

Kerry who writes Kestrel Makes and Jen
(If you know Jen's blog, please let me know in the comments)

Elaine from What Diana Did Next, Alison who writes Heavenly Handmades
and Amy from Boldly Gold

Franca from Oranges and Apples took these 3 lovely photos, and unfortunately the other Katy who writes I of the Needle left before we thought much about photo taking at all, but she did come and have a fun time with all of us!

Some of us brought along a few things for swapping, and anything unwanted was left behind at the studio as a gift for any new sewing students.

Sewing with others was a very different experience compared to sewing in silence at home, but the camaraderie and shared interests was really fun and well worth the travel to Glasgow.  Such a difference to talk about the nuances of sewing and the world of sewing bloggers and to be immediately understood.  I would definitely do this again.

Scotland Bloggers Mini Meet Up

Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet up with a small group of Sewing bloggers in Edinburgh. It is a busy time of year so only a few of us could arrange our schedules to meet up in Remnant kings for a spot of fabric shopping!
We met Hazel there, who kindly gave each of us a tote bag (great news as we now have a new law that requires you to bring in your own shopping bag, or else pay for one) Inside it had a button tin full of useful Sewing items too.

Thanks Remnant Kings!

l felt nervous on the way there but of course it was easy and fun! There is so much to chat about when you share the hobby of sewing. Upcoming projects, blog writing, fabric purchases and good websites for more fabric purchases!

Afterwards we went to a lovely cafe called Mimi's and had cake and coffee together.

From Left to right: Kerry, Helen, Franca, me!, Elaine, Amy, Hazel 

I would definitely encourage anyone who is presented with an opportunity to meet up with people who share your hobby, to go ahead and join in.  It really is a nice way to spend an afternoon!

Scottish Blogger Meet-Up

On Saturday, ten lovely ladies-who-blog met up in Glasgow to become ladies-who-lunch and to do a spot of fabric shopping.  I had never met these ladies in person before, but I do follow some of their blogs, so was hoping that I'd recognise them!

In this photo are L-R: Helen, Debi, me, Elaine, Alison, Katy, Elise, Katy, Kerry (& Franca took the photo)

When I headed off in the morning it was snowing heavily, but by the time I arrived in Glasgow it was just rain, rain rain.  But it did not dampen my excitement.  First some of us met for coffee and to dry off, then we headed up to Mandors fabric shop where Hazel (who not only writes her own creative blog but also works at Mandors) welcomed us and told us all about the sale that was on, and a few tips on things to look out for, and then we shopped!
I was able to get a few things that were on my wish-list:  mainly some jersey fabrics, as I find these difficult to purchase online.  I really need to feel the fabric for myself, for the stretch and thickness.  I also got some lining and a zip, all pretty boring stuff really, but necessary.
Katy got an amazing deal on some upholstery velvet and Debi bought some beautiful Liberty fabric.  The other Katy snapped up a deal on corduroy and Kerry chose some sweet Pirate fabric to make baby bibs.  Helen chose some drapey spotty fabric and gorgeous purple jersey, whilst Elaine found a fantastic digital print that wowed all of us.  There was too much choice for Alison so her pennies stayed safely in her purse.  Franca found some red cotton to create a Collette blouse and Elise was even more sensible and avoided the temptation altogether by just meeting us for lunch.
We had lunch in the tea rooms at The Butterfly and the Pig and it was a beautiful place, if you ever get to Glasgow it is well worth a visit.  They use old porcelain tea cups and the building itself is amazing.

After our scrumptious lunch, tea and cake, we shared some items that we'd brought along to swap, and then enjoyed looking through the bundles of patterns and fabrics that we'd all brought along.

L-R Franca, Helen and Debi

L-R Elaine (top of head only), Alison, Katy, Elise, Katy

L-R Kerry and Franca

Kerry organised this blogger meet up and is hoping to organise another one when the weather may be more inducive to wandering the streets for bargain fabric and vintage stores!  I had a really good time and am so glad that I went along.  I was really glad to meet some new bloggers as well as some of my favourite blog writers in person!  'Twas a wee bit like meeting famous people!  The whole day was totally stress-free and timed perfectly.  Thanks so much for organising everything Kerry!

Blogger meet up in Scotland

Fancy meeting up with other bloggers in Glasgow?  In fact, you don't even have to have a blog, you could just be interested in sewing, knitting, stitching and fancy a meet-up with like minded folk here in Glasgow.

Kerry who blogs over at Kestrel Makes is just starting to put together some ideas for a meet up on Saturday 1st February.  Pop over to her blog to read more of the details and leave a comment on her blog, with your email address attached, if you might be able to come along.

Glasgow in winter [source]