Covid-19 Updates Nov 2020

Monday, November 2, 2020
So it looks like from Thursday (5th November 2020) we’ll be closing the doors to Sew Jessalli again for a minimum of 4 weeks. I have to say that I may have naively not planned for another lockdown as I was just starting to get our business going again. But here we are. I thought I’d update you on our plans, what went well last time and what we are planning. 


So firstly clubs and classes. All adult workshops, classes, sew sessions and clubs will be cancelled. If you are booked on a workshop in the next 4 weeks we will be emailing you first with your options and then confirming by phone if needed. Last time it did get a little confusing keeping track of who’s phoned and who’s postponed their booking, so we’d prefer everything in writing this time around if possible. 

If you can afford to support us and postpone your booking that would mean a lot, but we understand that might not be feasible. I’ll be posting new workshop dates for after Christmas, as hopefully that’s a safe bet. Plus if you haven’t and want to book on a future workshop that would support us further. 

After School Club; We have 7 weeks of club left. I’m still waiting for the Government to update their After School Activity rulings. Wednesday 4th Club will still go ahead as normal, and I’m hoping as an educational setting, we can still run the club during lockdown. But this isn’t a definite yet. 

Mum & Baby Club; Well, we only just got this started and looks like we’ll have a one off club this Tuesday (3rd) and then we won’t run it again until it’s safe to do so. 

Knit & Natter, Stitch and Bitch and Sew Sessions; All cancelled until safe to re-open again. 
Our fabrics and haberdashery will once again be available to purchase online. I have some really lovely fabrics arriving this week (typical) so I will get those online asap and let you browse. You can order online for delivery to your home, and we will be offering our local customers Click & Collect services three days a week.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10.30am - 3pm.

Don’t forget we will ring you when your order is ready for you to collect. 

I am planning on doing some online videos again and thought maybe you would like some Live Youtube videos as an interactive sew session. If you want some online private zoom lessons, please get in touch. 

Gift vouchers will also be available if you want to buy one for yourself or for someone as a Christmas present. They are a great way to support us without the commitment of a specific date. 

Thank you in advance for your support and understanding. I’m really praying we’ll make it through this. And it’s great to know we’re not alone. I wish you so much support and if you have any ideas of things you’d love us to do, please get in touch. 

Keep safe, keep well and keep sewing!

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Stash Busting Mission

Monday, October 19, 2020

 Hi Everyone, 

How are we all? I hope you're safe and well where you are. I wanted to share with you my latest make. I wanted to 'shop my stash' for this one and I won the jackpot when I found this super soft ribbed jersey in my stash. I wanted to make an extra layer for these cooler autumn days but nothing too heavy. I came up with the idea to make a Freya Top (from Tilly and the Buttons Stretch Book) in a slight bigger size, but classic me, I made a few alterations. 




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Nude-Tee

Saturday, October 10, 2020

 Hi Everyone, 


It's Minerva Blogger Network time! This month I've made a basic Nude T-shirt from some gorgeous Tencel Blend Jersey (I highly recommend). See the full blog post HERE. But for now, here's some extra photos of my new fave tee. 





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Looking for Inspiration?

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

 Hi Everyone, 


How are you all? Are you looking for some future crafting projects? Maybe some Christmas gift ideas? If so, I wanted to share a few more tutorials I've written over on the Hobbycraft Ideas Hub. It's a great source of inspiration for all types of craft, so well worth a visit. 


You can see my previous posts of other projects HERE and HERE


Here are just a few recent tutorials:




First is a great project for those handmade gifts at Christmas. A knotted headband is a great gift for all the girls in your life. Using fat quarters, so each one can be totally different. The headband tutorial can be found HERE
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Autumnal Dress of Dreams

Saturday, September 12, 2020


Hi Everyone, 

How are you all? We are back to work full time now at Sew Jessalli. Fully recovered from having nose surgery also, so it's been a mad few weeks for me. I may look a little bit different in the photos. Bruising is almost gone and I'm feeling great. 
Wanted to share my latest Minerva Crafts make with you all as it's a really lovely one. I made the McCalls 7894 faux wrap dress. It did require a few fit adjustments as the bodice was just too big and too long on me. But I'm happy with the result. Plus the colour of this Viscose Crepe Twill is just to die for. Bringing all the autumnal vibes. 

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Jump-suiting for joy!

Thursday, August 27, 2020


Hi Everyone! Yes, I made another jumpsuit. I cannot believe it's taken me this long to make another one, considering it's my most worn me-made in my wardrobe. You can read my full post on the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network HERE



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Hobbycrafting Summer 2020

Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Hi Everyone, 

So I thought I'd share my latest tutorials on the Hobbycraft Ideas Hub. I know a lot of you appreciate the direct links, so here they are.


First up, my tie-dye gym bag. I absolutely loved making this. It was so much fun to play with some tie-dying. I haven't done it in a long time. I'm so happy with how this turned out. You can read the full step by step HERE

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Updates from the Studio

Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Hi Everyone, 

How are you? I hope you're all well and adjusting to the new rules and regulations. I just wanted to check in and update you all on a few things. Please note; these are all plans that could change. As we know everything can change on a weekly, or even daily basis. The following dates are what we are planning if everything carries on as expected. 


The shop, as you know, is now open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-3pm. It's been a nice adjustment and I've seen quite a few of you the last few weeks which I really appreciate. Online orders are still going well and you've all been so supportive, thank you. I'm trying hard to keep the website up to date and uploading new fabrics and stock as soon as it arrives. Don't forget we still offer a Click & Collect option if you prefer minimal interaction. 

From Monday 13th July we'll be starting to offer one to one lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays, and welcome the return of two of our clubs: Wednesday Night Sew Sessions and Stitch & Bitch. Both clubs will have a strict pre-booking system and will be a first come, first serve basis. 

Our workshops will return in September as will our usual opening hours (all being well). You can see what workshops we currently have on offer HERE

We thank you all for your continued support during these strange times. Thank you all for your messages, comments and orders. It really means the world and I can't stress that enough. Thank you. 

Keep Safe, Keep Well, Keep Sewing. 

Happy Handmade!

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Ilford Jacket/Shirt

Saturday, June 13, 2020
Hi Everyone,

Wanted to share with you my latest make over on the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network. I made the Ilford Jacket by The Friday Pattern Co. And I'm totally in love with it.




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A note from the shop.

Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Hi Everyone,

A couple of notices from the shop. We (that is Luna and I) are now in the shop Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to fulfil orders and open up more regular collection times for locals. Thank you so much for all your orders the past few weeks, you've helped our little sewing ship stay afloat.

Our collection times are now 10.30am-1pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Order by 10am on any of those days for collection or posting that same day.


From Monday 15th June (next week) we will be open to the public with reduced hours:

Monday 10am - 3pm

Wednesday 10am - 3pm

Friday 10am - 3pm


We will only be allowing 3 people in the shop at any one time with strict 2m/6ft social distancing measures. We will have Hand Sanitiser as you come in and we ask you not to touch anything unless you wish to buy it. We also ask that if you have any cold or flu symptoms, that you don't come in, just so we keep all our customers, staff and family safe. Collections and online orders will be running as before. 

Thank you to those of you who have been buying my digital downloads and templates. It's so nice to see you using them. I love seeing all your textile artwork. One change I have made is I'm splitting the donations of my 'Together' design between NHS Charities Together and Stephen Lawrence Charitable TrustI wanted to contribute to the current anti racism efforts around the world and the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust has been doing some incredible work with young people and businesses across the UK. It's important to me that the Sewing community I wish to be a part of is open and welcoming to everyone, no matter your background, skin colour, gender or age. I've been sharing some great insights from some wonderful people on my Instagram stories lately if you wish to learn more.

I've continued (although slightly less frequently) to upload video content to my Youtube Channel. I've loved having more time to film tutorials and a lot of you seem to be enjoying it. Thank you for all your kind comments, I'll try my absolute best to keep it up in some way.

Finally, I wanted to say, I hope you're all well. I hope you and your families are safe and I hope you've been sewing as much as you want to. Thank you all for all your support. It means so much.

Happy Handmade everyone!

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Bias Cut Skirt

Saturday, May 9, 2020
Hi Everyone,

Just thought I'd share some more photos of my latest make for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network. I made a super simple bias cut satin skirt. Super easy to wear, super soft and easy to make.


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SEWING RESOURCES - Making PPE.

Friday, May 1, 2020
Hi Everyone,

Happy May! Hope you're all safe and well. I thought I'd put a little blog post together as I get A LOT of messages and emails asking who is running mask making groups, scrubs groups etc. So I thought it might be useful to put all the information I have gathered in one place.

Firstly SCRUBS AND SCRUB CAPS:

So mum has been making scrubs for a local hospice as part of a local sewing group. There might be local groups in your area, and each one requires different colours, sizes and products. So please contact them first before you start stitching.
They all require fabrics that can be washed at high temperatures, which is why only certain cottons and cotton blends are accepted.
'For the Love of Scrubs' is one of the main community groups for this campaign. If you search on facebook, there are local versions of the group to join. They can help find you patterns, fabric and tell you who needs what.
You can also join one of the Scrub Hub community groups which you can find HERE. Similar system, loads of regional groups to help.

SCRUBS BAGS:

Scrubs bags are very useful apparently, and as long as they're a good size, most hospitals can use them. There are loads of great patterns online and again joining a local group can help. I've done a step by step tutorial on the Hobbycraft Blog which you can see HERE.


EAR SAVERS:

Now after speaking to loads of people, including some nurse friends, The best ear savers are the stretchy headband ones with a wide band and buttons behind the ears. Not only do they make masks more comfortable, they're comfy on long shifts, and those who have to wear full face screens don't get blisters around their foreheads. All good news! 

There are loads of how-to patterns online. And again, I have done my own step by step tutorials on the Hobbycraft Blog HERE on how to make your own. 

Please check with your local groups and communities what sort of thing they want. A lot of hospitals have been inundated with items, so it's better for them to only be sent what they need so we don't give them extra work to sort it all out. 


Lastly FACE MASKS:

Now this is a tricky subject. Please please contact local groups to check who you can send face masks to and what type they need. Cotton face masks are not medical grade and most hospitals can't use them. BUT some are combining them with the appropriate PPE to make their medical masks last longer. Care homes are also in need of some, but it's best to check local groups first. 
On a personal level, mask wearing can help when visiting vulnerable people, going to the supermarket or just wearing out and about to stop you touching your face as frequently. Obviously we're not trained to know how to properly put on and take off our masks, but if you wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off, and wash the masks after every use outside the house, that's perfect. 
Filters can be put inside different masks to help stop water droplets getting through the cotton, but again, they won't be medical grade. Coffee filters and Sew-in interfacing seem to work the best. 

I have another step by step tutorial on the Hobbycraft blog, on how to make a simple face mask, which you can have a go at HERE. I have seen the other 'shaped' masks that you can also make. Both are for personal and preventative use. More information on local groups and another mask pattern can be found on the Lucy & Yak Website HERE

Elastic supplies are running low due to the making of such items, my shop is running out and suppliers can't get it in fast enough. You can use cotton bias binding as ties instead if you can't get hold of any. 


The main point is, check your local groups before making anything if you want to donate your sewn items locally. Don't feel pressure to sew them at all and please don't worry about all this. We're all just getting through this crazy time together. Some of you are probably like me and are just crazy busy, but if you want to help, you have the resources at least. 

Keep Safe, keep well and keep sewing.

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More Hobbycrafting!

Thursday, April 30, 2020
Hi Everyone!

So happy to share with you some more projects I wrote for the Hobbycraft Ideas Blog. I'm especially proud of the quilt I made using the Cricut Design Space.



I was so happy to see how they photographed this quilt. It's just so cute! The Cricut Fabric bundles are such great quality and I love the colour combinations. Read the full quilt tutorial and buy all the supplies I used HERE



The second project I wrote was a Beginners Jersey Top Step by step. Hopefully giving clarity to construction with knit fabrics. Now is the perfect time to practice something like this and learn a new skill. Read the full 'how to' HERE.

Keep Safe, Keep Well, Keep Sewing. Happy Handmade!

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All the Ruffles!

Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Hi Everyone,

How are you all? I know this is a strange time. But guess what? We have sewing to distract us and I'm just so happy I can sew from home. I thought I'd share one of my latest makes that I did for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network. Not only to give inspiration but to bring some normality back to the blog.


So for this month's blogger network post I made the popular Simplicity 8606 wrap skirt in Lisa Comfort's Wildflower Polyester Crepe. Honestly I've had so much fun dancing round the house in this. 



The only change I made was the length! This pattern is so long! You can read my full post on the Blogger Network HERE. And if you have any suggestions to the matching top I could make with it, that would be amazing. I'm thinking either a blousey style or a classic Ogden Cami? What do you think?

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Free Range Slacks

Saturday, April 25, 2020
Hi Everyone,

How are we all doing? I thought I'd show you one of my latest makes and also share with you THAT linen, that not only am I obsessed with, but you are too!



So the Pattern is the Free Range Slacks by Sew House Seven. I was a huge fan of their Toaster Sweater pattern, but never tried another of their patterns. Until I saw this one. I just knew that with my new obsession with linen, I was going to wear these to death. And I wasn't wrong. 

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A sad but Important Update from the Studio.

Friday, March 20, 2020
Hi Everyone, 

This is going to be a hard blog post to write. I’ve been thinking long and hard and at the moment I think it’s safer for everyone for us to shut our doors to the public from Friday 27th March 2020.

We don’t know how long we’ll have to be closed at the moment, but I will post more on here and all social media channels and our website to keep you updated. I’m hoping we can start coming in again within 6 weeks. But this isn’t guaranteed due to the changing circumstances. 

I feel it’s our responsibility at this moment to limit social contact and not encourage group social aspects of crafting, which lets be honest, was the whole reason I opened Sewing School in the first place! We are taking steps and measures to help our customers as best we can. I will be offering live online socials during normal sewing club times to keep us connected and our spirits up whilst we sew alone at home. I am also working on some online workshops for you to attend on our website, plus free workshops for everyone to do some quick crafts. 

Those of you who have booked a workshop, I would have already called you or emailed you about your options. I ask that you bear with us and do support us if you can. 

Our fabrics will be available for purchasing online. And I’m in the process of adding other craft kits and patterns that we can send to you also. We will be in the studio from time to time packaging your orders and working on commissions, so orders will be dealt with as quickly as possible. But they may be delayed with changes and high demand on the postal services.

I know this is a long shot but, Janome machines are also still available to buy and we can have them sent directly to you. See the latest spring offers HERE. Call or email us if you might be interested in any of the latest offers. 

If you attend our daily clubs, like Knit & Natter or Mum & Baby, I’m afraid you’ll have to miss out for a while until we can start back up again. After School Club is finishing just 1 week earlier than the usual end of term so I’ll make sure to give students work they can complete and home. I’m also hoping to upload some free workshops online, so if they want to do any hand sewing or machine sewing from home, they can. 
Normally we’d be taking bookings for After School Club Summer Term, but we won’t be starting this again until September due to the fact the schools will also remain closed until then (we think!). Nearer the time you’ll see posts on social media for links to book for this again for the Autumn term. 

I will be listing spaces for our normal Autumn workshops soon which you can always book onto. And gift vouchers can also be purchased where we'll put an extra 6 months on the expiry, so they'll last for a year! Anything you can do to help us would be much appreciated. 

I'm praying we get through these next few months, though I know the summer is our quietest time. But with your help and support, I'll fight to the death to keep my Sewing School going. 

I hope you and your families are well and safe. Please be sensible and try and isolate yourselves from others. We're all doing this together and for the whole country. Lets keep in touch and hopefully when this is all over, we can celebrate in style with all our handmade outfits we made during quarantine. 

Virtual hugs and well wishes to you all. Thanks for sticking by me. 

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All the Frills!

Saturday, March 14, 2020
Hi Everyone,

Just thought I'd show you all my latest post for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network. I've made another Nora, but with a frilly twist! I've written the whole post about how I did it HERE. For now, here's a few extra pictures of my Frilly Nora Dress....Hope you like it!




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Double Trouble!

Saturday, February 15, 2020
Hi everyone,

So this month's post on the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network is a double whammy! I've made two items, a simple Agnes Tee (Tilly & the Buttons) and a Freya Dress Hack (Tilly & the Buttons Stretch book).  You can read the full post HERE. But here's some extra photos of what I've been making, with the help of some Happy Fabric Vinyls to!




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Hobbycrafting

Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Hi Everyone,

So, last year I started working with one of my favourite brands in the whole world - Hobbycraft. It was an absolute dream come true to write projects for their blog, so I thought it would be so fun to show you and share links to all my 2019 projects. Plus it means you can bookmark them for future crafting plans.

So first up, my first ever blog post was this Animal cushion:




You can see all supplies lists and instructions here: https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/sewing/how-to-sew-a-simple-animal-cushion It's a fun pattern that uses minimal amounts of fabric and would be fabulous for a new baby gift or update to a nursery. 




Next up was my cross-back apron. This has been very popular and includes printable templates too. I loved making this and the style is so easy to wear. Find all links and instructions here: https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/sewing/how-to-sew-a-cross-back-apron


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