Here comes the sun...

This summer looks to be full of workshops. I've been busy since christmas having a few amazing adventures, which I will tell you about later on. One of these include working with the lovely Louise to set up Handmade in Tooting and Crafty Pint. We will be championing our talented home grown designers as well as encouraging people to shop local and providing affordable workshops in informal settings.

The Crafty Pint brooch making workshop proved so popular, I decided to take it North to the We Make pop-up boutique. And my vintage inspired fabric printing workshop will also be travelling North with a Festival of Britain twist. We also linked up with the fabulous Zoe from SW Craft Club and will be putting on Crafty Pint taster sessions in Tooting and Clapham. Read on for more info about all my workshops this summer...

5 July Fabric brooch making

We Make Summer Boutique, Oak Studios, 8 Perrins Court, London NW3 1QS

Delve into Fabric Nation’s stash of vintage, upcycled and contemporary fabrics to make several pretty styles of flower, all deceptively simple to sew. Use them to brighten clothes or bags, wear as a hair clip or brooch, or make them as gifts for lucky friends. Pair up flowery, polkadot or striped prints, 50s barkcloth and US quilting cottons with vintage buttons, trims and felts to create unique and colourful designs. These flower brooches and hair clips are deceptively simple to make, perfect for the beginner, and offer more experienced participants a chance to explore different techniques and work with a range of different materials.

Gillian will provide step-by-step tuition in different brooch making techniques and one-to-one help for those with little sewing experience. All materials are provided, including home baked cakes. To book a place and for more details visit the We Make Summer Boutique

8 July Vintage inspired fabric printing

We Make Summer Boutique, Oak Studios, 8 Perrins Court, London NW3 1QS

At this all day workshop, Gillian will be sharing her mid-century modern fabric and textile book collection for inspiration and providing tutorials in lino printing and textiles. No previous experience is needed and all materials are provided. By the end of this workshop you will have gained insight into textile design, created your own lino block for printing and will take home your own printed fabric suitable to making up into a cushion, bag or even a pinny. All materials and homemade cakes are included. To book a place and for more details visit the We Make Summer Boutique

16 July Vintage inspired fabric printing

Crafty Pint North, Stapleton Tavern, Stroud Green Road London N4, 2pm-5pm.

Join me for an afternoon of vintage inspired fabric printing at Crafty Pint North. Taking inspiration from my collection of mid-century modern fabrics and textile design books, you will be able to create your own hand printed fabric in the lovely informal surroundings of the Stapleton Pub. All materials and homemade cakes are included, you just need some beer money. Visit Crafty Pint to book a place.

Details of all our Crafty Pint workshops North and South of the river are here.

24 July & 7 August

Tooting Tram & Social, SW17 & The Landor, Clapham

SW Craft Club are hosting two weekends of crafting South-West London style and Fabric Nation will be joining other crafters and makers to showcase all the amazing talent that lies south of the river. Visit SW Craft Club for more details.

16-21 August Seaside Sisters Souvenir Shoppe

Craft Central 33-35 St John’s Square
, London, EC1M 4DS

I'll be joining my Seaside Sisters for our annual exhibition of seaside inspired textiles and prints along with vintage inspired printing and sewing workshops.

29 August - 3rd September Seaside Sisters show on the LV21 Lightship

LV21, Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Rd, Gillingham Kent ME7 1RX

The Seaside Sisters are being let loose for a week of nautical filled fun and making. Join us to make and create a ship filled of crafty coastal delights.

Visit the LV21 website.

Look forward to seeing you!

Fabric Nation xx