A very chuffed Plushette here once again to let you know that I’m in Sewing World Magazine again this month talking about waterproof fabrics. It’s another jam-packed issue I am finding the Vilene series in particular very informative indeed and there’s also an excerpt from Lauren Guthrie’s new book too which is a tutorial on how to make a big weekend bag. This is my third article for Sewing World (eeek!), you can read about the two here and here. Don’t forget there’s a discounted subscription offer available for Plush Addict customers. You can get a 12 month subscription for only £39.99 (that’s a saving of £19.89) use the code PLUSH14 at check out here. Grab yourself a copy and sit down for a good read with a cuppa, I’m in the “Techniques” section. You can also get your mitts on this magazine at WH Smiths. Next month is the last in the series and I’ll be writing about natural alternative sustainable fabrics. I’ve really enjoyed writing this series and I’m looking forward to doing a bit more writing in the New Year once the Christmas mayhem has subsided at Plush Towers a little. I hope you enjoy it!
If you’ve been to one of our open days you’ll know that we like to lay on some refreshments and always have tea, coffee and some lovely cakes for you to nibble on. We know people can travel quite a distance to see us and we also know it’s always very welcome to get a brew when you arrive. Everybody is rather glad of the hospitality but so many people are surprised that it’s free and it’s been suggested that we should have a charity box so people can make a donation if they wish.
I thought this was an excellent idea and reached out to the lovely Sharon at “Dressability” who we’ve supported a few times with fabric donations. Dressability is a charity that really resonated with me and I always try to help them out wherever I can and it seemed a logical step for them to become our first supported charity on this venture, so all donations given towards the refreshments will be sent to them.
Dressability do amazing work making bespoke clothing and other items for elderly and disabled children and mostly they also convert ready to wear clothing to make it easier for those with limited mobility in their hands to get dressed themselves. They take zips out of trousers and replace them with velco, or add zips to bras, all sorts of rather ingenious customisations to help with tricky fastenings which give more independence to the recipients. Could you imagine needing help every time you got dressed? I know I’d absolutely hate that. The charity also make items from scratch like craft aprons for disabled children along with a whole host of other projects.
I recently sent a huge bag of craft bits and bobs from my personal stash to them and know I’m not alone in my hoarding tendencies. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and de-stash some of the fabric and notions you know you’re not going to use so if you have any bits you’d like to donate to Dressability and are coming to an open day then please bring them along and we will send them on. If you can’t make an open day and have some items you’d like to donate then get in touch and we’ll send you a postage paid envelope to send your donations to us.
We hope to see you at an open day soon and you can enjoy some lovely cake with us!
I can’t help but glow with pride each time I think about this. I’ve always fancied being a travel writer but I’ll settle for writing for my favourite sewing magazines instead! This month’s Sewing World magazine has a handy guide to fleece fabrics penned by moi. It’s available in WH Smith or you can purchase a copy on line from Traplet’s online shop.(more…)
I was more than a little excited to open the post and discover a copy of this month’s Sewing World magazine, I *may* have let out a squeal of excitement and jumped around from foot to foot doing an enthusiastic a happy dance. It’s been a long time coming but I’m thrilled the day has finally arrived and my words are right there in black and white printed on something I can actually touch and flick through, accompanied by photos of some of my favourite plush makes. (more…)
I’m absolutely thrilled to be Tilly Walne’s Miss November! If you’d like a nosey in to the goings on behind the scenes at Plush Towers then pop over to Tilly’s amazing blog for a read about my day. There’s fabric porn too 🙂 (more…)
I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to have been nominated for the British Sewing Awards 2013 in the category for Best Sewing Blog! A big thank you to everyone and anyone that voted for lil old me, thank you SO much, it’s very motivating and encouraging. Our shop was also nominated for 2 categories too – Best Online Retailer and Best Website for Sewing Resources, I’m over the moon! Voting starts on 12th November and we will be crossing our fingers and letting you know as soon as the voting opens. Wheeeee!!
