STITCH GROUP SUCCESS

My children's stitch group kicked off in February and is now in its second term as part of Darlington's Art Academy. The group has steadily grown over the last six weeks but is still looking for new members to come along and join in the fun!

The group has already learnt lots of new techniques and made lovely peg dollies, applique purses and cushions, spoon ladies and flower corsages and is looking forward to having a go at felting, knitting, jewellery making and much more in the new term.

The group takes place in Bondgate Methodist Church Hall in Darlington. To book your place ring Melting Pot Arts on 01325 262719 or visit their website www.meltingpotarts.com

CATS COSTUME WORKSHOPS

After a fantastic trip to the theatre to see the show CATS and some cool cats costume workshops the Wingate Stage Stars made fab fluffy cuffs, tails, leg warmers and ears for their very own stage production of CATS the musical.

Wingate Stage Stars group is an amateur singing and drama group ran by Melting Pot Arts. For more information please visit www.meltingpotarts.co.uk. I look forward to working with the group on some more exciting costumes projects in the future.

If you run a similar group and are interested in costume workshops please send me an e.mail for some more information.

JOIN MY WEEKLY WORKSHOP GROUP

From Tuesday 26th February I have been running weekly Stitch and Sparkle workshop session in Bondgate Methodist Church Hall, Darlington.

The sessions promote a creative and modern approach to textile craft and teach how to make Corsages, Peg Dollies, Bag Charms, Customised Clothing and lots more!

The workshops are open to all abilities, whether you want to learn from the basics or build on your own skills please come along and join us!

5.30- 7 pm (age 8+) 7.30-9pm (adult) £7 per person, inclusive of all materials.

To book your place ring Melting Pot Arts on 01325 262719 or visit their website www.meltingpotarts.com

LIBERTY SEWING SCHOOL

Coats Crafts UK are working in partnership with the prestigious LIBERTY department store in London to re-launch the Liberty Sewing School. Workshops will be taking place throughout February and March.

I spent a day in store on the 14th of February delivering peg dolly and corsage workshops. We all had a fantastic day, a good chat and lovely cup of tea!

Watch this space for news on future workshops that I will be holding in LIBERTY.

Liberty now stock my book Stitch and Sparkle, corsage kits and a whole range of my fabric buttons. Please see my stockist page for a list of all other retail outlets.

YOUNG EMBROIDERERS GUILD

I worked with Darlington Young Embroiderers Guild in January and February on a group project to be featured in my new book.

The members each made a friendship bangle using techniques such as wrapping, beading, embellishing and were helped along with great new pieces of equipment such as the Prym Flower Loom.

The emphasis of the workshop was to give the girls an insight into what it's like to be a 'Textile Designer' and to work to a specific design brief and time schedule.

The group had a great time and the bangles are fab- watch out for them in the new book!!

For more information and to find out how to join your local Embroiderers Guild group go to www.embroiderersguild.com

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NEW BOOK TO LAUNCH IN AUTUMN

I'm currently working on my second stitch book with co-author Rachel Henderson. The book will be published by Coats Crafts UK and launched this Autumn.

The new book is entitled Stitch Divas. Aimed at girls aged 9-15 the book will be fun and exciting and filled with fashionable ideas for sewing projects.

Both Rachel and I are passionate about getting more young people enthusiastic and inspired about stitch and are hoping this book will give them the ideas and skills to start making their own fantastic stitched projects.

Keep checking this page for updates on the book progess and to find out our plans for publicising the book. We are hoping to start a children's charity campaign and are looking for ideas.

If you have any charity campaign ideas please contact me at charlyliddle@hotmail.com