I thought I had retired!

My life slowed down a few years ago, I stopped working and found more time for myself. I started painting, sewing, doing more sport – skiing, sailing and golf. Time took its toll and we stopped skiing and sailing when my husbands mobility reduced.

Now we mainly play golf (thanks to an electric buggy for him – I still walk) and I sew, and sew and sew!

As a result of appearing on The Great British Sewing Bee series 5 in 2019 I find my life is much fuller. I have done lots of talks, and the interest continues. I have been invited to sewing events, exhibitions and have found myself sharing my knowledge and experience through teaching.

A quilt for my baby grandson sewn on my new Juki DX7

I am also happy to be a Brand Ambassador for Juki Sewing Machines. I have had a Juki overlocker for many years, and a Juki coverstitch machine for two years. I love them both and they do exactly the jobs I ask of them without fiddling or drama. I was delighted when the opportunity arose to use a Juki sewing machine (a DX7) and I am very impressed with that too. I will be at the Juki Sewing and Quilting Retreat in Lincolnshire in February and at Sewing for Pleasure at the NEC Birmingham (UK) in March, teaching and chatting on the Juki stand alongside my good buddies and fellow Bees Jen (@jenerates on instagram) and Mercedes (@ohsewthatmercedes)

My next teaching class is local to me in the lovely North York Moors National Park at Belmont Studios (www.belmontstudios.co.uk) two days – residential or daily – in a great working space and Tony and Anne run a delightful B&B. You can also find details of this course at www.craftcourses.com

Maybe I will see you at one of these event. I hope so.

@jannisews

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New avenues – teaching

I have always been happy to share what I know, and it makes me happy to help others get the same joy from making as I do.

To that end, this autumn I will be teaching a series of classes covering all aspects of making with fabric:

My first session is quilting.

Quilting can be as complicated or simple as you wish, we will look at all the techniques required to make a quilt, in the guise of a table-mat.

We will cover:

A simple piecing technique using pre-cut strips of fabric – of course there is a myriad of design choices here, but we want something that can be completely finished in one day.

Make a quilt sandwich, layering the pieced top, wadding (also known as batting) and the backing fabric and fastening them together in preparation for quilting

Quilting the layers together with either straight rows of stitching or free motion stitching.

Creating a binding strip and how to finish the edges.

All these techniques will arm you to create a quilt of any size, although you will take home a finished tablemat.

All materials and equipment are included. Students will need to bring their own fabrics and backing fabric. Advice as to quantities will be sent out before the class.

7.5 hour workshop. Refreshments provided. Please bring your own lunch.

When: Wednesday 25th September 2019 9.30am – 5.00pm

Cost: £65.00

Where: Wath Court Craft Rooms, Hovingham, York YO62 4NN

Find out more here

Book online now http://www.wathcourtcraftrooms.co.uk/book-online/4594492019