The Crafty Monkies VIP Member Club delivers exclusive video content featuring techniques, projects, interviews and webinars with a different craft expert each month. I will be the featured crafter for July, and you will receive over 2 hours of pre-recorded video content on how to repurpose textiles to make my Messenger Bag. Denim is a […]
Have you ever made a patchwork panel, maybe trying out a new technique, and then promptly fell out of love with it, trimmed it wrong or just discarded it?! Or maybe you've got stumped on the maths when it came to calculating the correct size base to fit your basket! Well here is a way […]
At the end of this month I will be teaching my Triaxial Weaving workshop for Crafty Monkies. I first taught weaving as part of my Studio 'in-person' classes 2 years ago. We looked at the simple basket weave ... Houndstooth weave (intermediate) ..... and the more advanced Triaxial weaving ... (you can see the amazing […]
To enter my 10 year blogiversary giveaway click here. At the end of this month (30th January, 4pm - 7pm) I will be teaching another live zoom workshop for Crafty Monkies. Their theme for January is all about using what you have available (following the post Christmas slump!) and so repurposing some old jeans into practical […]
It's only 6 weeks until our next Quilting Retreat at the tranquil Murlough House, Co. Down. It will be another fun filled weekend, chilling out, sewing, eating, games and lots more! There will also be 2 workshops to choose from: Foundation Pieced Spools: On Saturday afternoon we will be trying […]
Yesterday was our Robin Hoop Art Workshop, and what 'sketchy' fun we all had!! Nine ladies spent a glorious Saturday getting in touch with their artistic side. They built up their low volume backgrounds, a little matchstick quilting and lacey additions before bondawebbing their scrappy robins and starting the sketching fun! […]
Sorry it has taken me so long to post about our first Quilting Retreat (last weekend). I've had some very special visitors this week (which I'll tell you all about soon). It's hard to believe that a week ago today we were heading home after a wonderful weekend of sewing, eating, fun and games! […]
Yesterday was the 2nd of my charity sewing days. Once again the studio was filled with generous ladies donating their time, talent and fabric to make syringe driver bags for Macmillan Cancer Care and N.I. Children's Hospice. It was lovely meeting old friends and new, and at least one bag was completed […]
I'm delighted to announce a new initiative I'm piloting in my studio this term. There is a wealth of creative talent here in Northern Ireland, and I want my studio to be used a lot more in facilitating this creativity and supporting local artists and crafters. So I am hosting a range […]
This week saw the start of our new Autumn '19 programme of weekly classes and workshops. Here is a flavour of what we will be getting up to on Saturdays! Booking available here At this workshop you will find out how much fun you can have with cotton clothesline and […]
Today was the first of 2 Syringe Driver Bag Workshops at our studio in Conway Mill. These amazing ladies donated their fabric, time and talent to learn how to make Syringe Driver Bags for Macmillan Cancer Care and N.I. Childrens Hospice. It was a lovely day of sewing, chatting (and eating […]
Yesterday was our 3rd and final Aprons Workshop of 2019. Once again, most of the ladies were making the Cross Back (Japanese) Apron (free pattern available here). This is a brilliant pattern with beautifully finished french seams on the inside. Just look at these gorgeous examples! And one of […]
Last Saturday was sultry and wet, the perfect day for sewing! We had our 'Quilt Top In A Day' Workshop at the studio, with 7 ladies making either my Mama Boho or Baby Boho Quilt pattern (see if you can spot my Mama Boho Quilt in the picture below!). Mama Boho […]
Hello everyone! This is my last week of classes before the summer break. The sun is finally shining and I will have a few more photos to show you from this term's project focus. In the meantime, I can show you some stunning bags from our Beach Bag Workshop last Saturday. […]
(Edit: retreat is now fully booked) I'm ridiculously excited to tell you all about a new Just Jude Designs venture! Retreat from the stresses of life for a weekend of relaxation, creativity and great food in the spacious and comfortable Murlough House, surrounded by the beautiful Murlough Bay Nature Reserve! Let me […]
Last Saturday we had a wonderfully productive day in the studio making Vinyl Pouches. For most of the ladies it was their first time negotiating the petulant vinyl through their machines (after taming it on the cutting mat!). Tissue paper was our secret weapon, placed under the vinyl when sewing. This helps […]
Happy Monday to you all! Welcome to the final part in our Spring into Summer '19 series, looking at the items on display in our classroom (part 1 available here; part 2 available here; part 3 available here). 11 Vinyl Pouches: (pattern available here) This is the final item on my table […]
Today was a return to my Kids' Workshops, with young proteges having fun alongside their chosen grown-up! The Kids happily took on the mantle of 'Creative Directors' for the day. They were in charge of creativity and design! Under the watchful eye of our Health & Safety Officers (mums and nannys), […]
Welcome to my Spring into Summer '19 series, looking at the items on display in our studio for this new term. First up is our display table (I'll be mixing up the order as shown but stay with me!). I try to theme (or semi-theme) the table each term. Apart from an […]
Yesterday we got all folksy at our Tea Cosy Workshop! We were few in number, but the chatter and vibe was as warm and inviting as the cosies! The raw edge applique was new to some, but with the easier option of top stitching also available, nothing held back these creative endeavours. […]
