Learn How to crochet- Follow Up session

Image courtesy of crystals-creations.net

On Thursday 17th March we will be hosting a follow up session for anyone who has attended one of our beginners crochet sessions here at The Create Place. From 7pm-9pm Mandy Lui will be on hand to help out with any difficulties you have been facing when trying to practise what you have learned at home. It is a great chance for her to show you again more advanced stitches or to help trouble shoot on a project which you have.

For just £5 you can ask her anything, preferably crochet related, simply bring your hook and yarn and we will provide the tea and cake. Now doesn't that sound like a lovely evening? Book your place now via the google cart.

Want to pop along but haven't attended a beginners crochet session with us? Then join us, however please note we will not be teaching crochet from scratch in this session. 

Sewing Machine SOS

Does your sewing machine need a bit of TLC? Perhaps the tension dial is dodgy or the pedal just won't work. Starting on Wednesday 23rd April from 9:30am- 11:30am you will be able to pop your machine into The Create Place and have the talented Jennie have a go at fixing it for you.

For just £25 per hour Jennie will fix it up as good as new for you. If you can't make it on the day then contact us and we will arrange for you to drop the machine into the workshop so it is waiting and ready for when Jennie arrives.

Check our Jennie's profile below.

I am a little bit clever when it comes to fixing sewing machines. 

Obviously if it has been dropped on it’s head and it rattles when you shake it I may not be able to help but for basic tension problems or an inability to form  stitches without creating nests under the needle or a machine having seized up or anything other you are scratching your head over, please drop over with your machine and I will have a look. I have a pretty good track record (not been defeated yet!) and it is a lot cheaper than taking it in to a repair shop.  And you can eat cake and drink tea whilst I fix it or just leave it and pick it up when it is feeling better.  Also good for when you have bought a machine on ebay or you have inherited a machine without a handbook, we can work it out together and you can get to know your machine at the same time.  I am always happy to provide advice on decent machines to buy new or second hand and I will be glad to help you source a cute vintage machine and have some great websites I use for reviews and history.

Oh what a lovely evening

Thank you to Claire, Louise, Lara from The Papered Parlour and the team at the V&A Museum of Childhood for organising the fabulous, "Ethical Fashion in the Age of Austerity" event on Thursday 3rd March. Siobhan and I manned the St Margaret's House stall which showcased work by all our pop-up vendors and a selection of vintage clothing from Ayoka our charity boutique.

We were so lucky to be involved and met some amazing people including, fine cell work, Shoredich Sisters, Zoe Bateman, Rosie Love Lock and the hat collective to name but a few. Plus the lovely Leona popped by to talk about her new project Thrift-orala which launches next week on the 14th March.


Thank you to everyone who popped by to find out more about all the St Margaret's House projects, we hope to see you at one of our workshops.

Apologies for our Free Crafters

Dear Free craft attendees. I am so sorry that we had to cancel this mornings session. Marie Pedersen our wonderful session leader is on a course. Our fabulous volunteer linda was due to take over the reigns but at the last minute had to pull out.

Linda will be back next week to teach you the wonderful art of macrame.

Ethical Fashion in the Age of Austerity

Come and visit us this Thursday at the V&A's Museum of Childhood- Ethical Fashion in the Age of Austerity event. The event is Free and it is a great way to meet London's most exciting Arts and Crafts projects.


We will be showing a selection of hand made gifts from our Pop-Up shop and showcasing some of the projects which have taken place in the space since its opening in November 2010.


Read more about the event below from the V&A's website.

In an age of austerity, can we justify the added expense of buying ethically? Or is Make Do and Mend set to be the next big trend? Join in an evening devoted to ethical fashion and sustainability as independent arts venue The Papered Parlour host an ethical mini-festival at the Museum.

Uncover hidden workshops, live music, performance, panel discussion and craft stalls set amongst the Museum's childhood collections. Celebrate the rise of 'slow fashion' as London's leading eco-journalists, green stylists and ethical campaigners come together to discuss the key issues surrounding this growing social movement.

Fashion designer and V&A Trustee Betty Jackson will be in attendance, alongside the Guardian's 'Ethical Living' columnist Lucy Siegle, who will be speaking about her forthcoming book 'To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing out the World?'. London's ultra-cool stylist Jocelyn Whipple will be running a unique workshop on green styling, plus eco-campaigners Labour Behind the Label and Love Fashion Hate Sweat Shops will be offering top tips on how to be sustainable with style. The Papered Parlour will also be running Make Do and Mend workshops with Piney Gir, and Young & Lost Club will be performing a live set. 

Granny Square Love

The lovely Marie Pedersen is our resident yarn expert and is always on hand on a Wednesday morning to advise and guide our loyal band of followers who attend our weekly Wednesday Craft Mornings.

Today's conversation quickly turned to how much we love crocheting granny squares - they are relatively quick to make, it's a good project to do while chatting or watching TV because you go into the gaps rather than the stitches, you get a sense of satisfaction every time you complete one and there are so many things you can make from them. 

Marie has put a together a beautiful post on her blog showing a few granny square designs which she finds inspiring. Why not join her at one of her classes at The Create Place on the 1st of March or the 2nd of April.

Image courtesy of mariesmaking.com

Image courtesy of mariesmaking.com

The images are from the following sites:
1 necklace
2 coin purse
3 shoulder bag
4 dog coat

5 cushion
6 blanket
7 lamp
8 basket

Me old China

some of simply vintage beautiful candles

Melissa is the latest edition to our pop-up shop collective. Her brand simply vintage produces beautiful organic soy candles in vintage tea sets. She combines her love of all things vintage and handmade with. So the bonus is after your sweet smelling candle has burned away you will be left with a cup, saucer and cake plate to keep using.

Simply Vintage pin cushions

Alternatively you could buy one of her pin cushion tea sets or cute little pin pails. They are all in the shop now some come along and see them for yourself.

pin pails