New Website!

Sorry it has been so long since we last posted, somehow life always gets in the way. The business has been expanding quickly and the work never seems to stop. However, we've finally managed to get around to getting our site revamped.

Please visit http://www.makedoandmendonline.co.uk/ to see the new site and find out more about Make Do and Mend.

Textile art

Whilst on holiday in the Shetlands last year Philippa indugled in some textile art, the resulting pieces are currently on display in our St Day shop and are for sale. The circular one has already sold but if you are interested in any others please e-mail info@makeodandmendonline.co.uk for prices.

Below is the wall display with all of the artwork as appears in the St Day Shop.

New workshop & vacancies

Good news everyone, the business is growing again!

We have just obtained our third premises - a new workshop in Ponsanooth (Unit D, Fiveways Business Park, Pelean Cross, Ponsanooth, TR3 7JQ). The contact number is the number for the main shop (01209 820446) and visits are by appointment only unlike our other premises.

Photos of the new workshop will be following shortly.

We also have a couple of vacancies arising as recently advertised in the local papers. We are looking for an experienced canvas worker and an experienced seamstress. Please contact Philippa Bray on 01209 820446 for more information.

The Sewing Directory

In preparation for the launch of The Sewing Directory we are now on Twitter - @sewingdirectory, facebook 'the sewing directory' and blog - www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.com please follow us.

We will be giving previews of what is to come on the Sewing Directory as well as the chance to preview the site and to enter the launch competition online. Prizes include sewing books, accessories and the new Janome BCC-30. Come join us now....

Stitch International

We just had a great weekend at the Stitch International event in the NEC. It is a great trade show for sewing businesses, with supplies and fabrics that you dream of. It gives you the chance to look through the stock of hundreds of companies from throughout the UK and Europe all in one go. If you didn't make it this year I would highly recommend going next year.

We went to spread the word about our new site - The Sewing Directory - and it went really well. We have new sponsors, listers and advertisers as well as a lot of competition prizes that were donated. We are planning a big competition for our launch both online and through the Sewing For Pleasure event where we have chosen to launch. Prizes include sewing books, material, kits and the top prize is the new Janome BCC-300 machine pictured below:

Details of how to enter will be posted here in a couple of weeks so keep an eye out.

The Sewing Directory

Hi Everyone,

It's time to tell you all about our newest venture - The Sewing Directory. The Sewing Directory is a new online directory for all sewing related businesses. Whether you offer sewing services, sewing supplies, sewing courses or run a sewing group then The Sewing Directory is the perfect place for you to advertise your business. Supported by big names in the industry such as Sewing World magazine, Butterick & Vogue, ICHF events and Stitchclub.

People using the site will have the option to search by catagory (the 4 mentioned above), by county and/or by keyword to locate the sewing related business they are looking for. If you've every tried looking for a seamstress on Yell.com you'll know how hard it can be to find one when they are all broken down into such niche catagories, that is what we are trying to avoid. We want to make it nice and easy for people to find sewing related businesses.

We are launching on 25th March at the Sewing For Pleasure event in the NEC although the site will be online from the beginning of March. We are currently offering the first 200 businesses to sign up with us a 6 month free trial, prices starting from £9 a month after that for a 1 county listing. There is no obligation to stay on the site after the free trial and we do not require any payment details. We believe the site will speak for itself and you will want to stay on after the free trial, and if you don't we can remove your listing at 1 click of the mouse.

We already have close to 150 businesses signed up so if you know of anyone whose business could benefit from the free trial please let them know asap. If you are interested please e-mail fiona@thesewingdirectory.co.uk for a registration form.

New year, new sites

If your new years resolution is to learn to sew/ do more sewing there are many great sites out there to get you started. We highly recommend The Sewing Forum - http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/ for information regarding everything to do with sewing from running a sewing business, to sewing courses and sewing techniques. If you cant find what you are looking for simply start a new thread and generally within just a matter of minutes you will have your answer. It is a bit of a long process to sign up (you have to submit an application with details of your interest in sewing and your sewing experience) but it is worth it once you get there and it helps to protect the forum from spammers which is always a good thing.

Another great site is Freeneedle - www.freeneedle.com which is an online directory of free sewing projects, patterns and tutorials. They scour the net for your to find free patterns from all over the word, hidden in blogs and sites that you may not ever come accross by yourself. Their collection is updated daily and links are checked regularily to ensure that they are live.

If you are just entering into the world of sewing the Start Sewing www.startsewing.co.uk is the site for you. It contains how to guides for various sewing techniques and styles as well as guides to the basics such as what equipment do you need to start sewing, and what should you look for in a fabric.

Hopefully those sites will get your resolution off to a good start!