Keep On Sewing Retreat, Coventry

13/08/2024

Last little titbit for you......

Additional Thursday Workshops. Lunch and all-day refreshments are included the workshop fee.

1. Needle Felting Projects with Carol Wise of The Makerss
We are delighted that Carol from The Makerss is teaching the popular chill out craft of needle felting.
Book on this workshop and you will receive a free kit to get you started in the morning (class starts at 11am) then choose from the many project kits that Carol will bring with her (or kits can be preordered at discounted prices from £15) to fill the rest of your day. Workshop Fee £69.00.

2. Thursday Social Sewing
Why not join the happy Thursday social sewing group. Arrive at the hotel anytime after 10 am on Thursday. Bring your own projects and just sew and socialize…before the weekend starts in earnest! Join in with the Thursday Social Sewing for just £45.

Booking forms and Be Inspired leaflet will be emailed out to you by Friday 16th August - who's getting excited???

Don't forget to email Pam to make sure you're on the mailing list, using the blue button above

13/08/2024

If anyone has any photos of what they achieved at the last retreat in July, can you spot pics in the comments, please xx

12/08/2024

Here's your next teaser......

Janice is not only our dressmaking guru but she also teaches fantastic bag making workshops, so if you’re a ‘bag lady’ you’ll enjoy this class as there’s lots to choose from. Make one or more.... Bring your fabric and creativity, leave with a bag or two that you will love!
1. The Weekender Bag- Versatile carrier for all your clothes and toiletries. Big enough to cope and easy to carry. You may have seen a few of these around KOS still going strong. With its secret pocket, built in handles and sleeve to sit on a wheeled trolley, it’s made for travelling!
2. Sewing Machine Bag – Suitable for the smaller machines you take to class that only come with a plastic cover - this bag adds protection and looks good too! Made to measure it will be the perfect size to carry your machine safely in the car or store at home. Slip in a project or two and you’re good to go!
3. The Quilt as You Go Bag – ‘Stitch and Flip’ – ‘Franken’ - whatever you call this technique - it makes the most unique bag. Using scrap fabric with a foam or wadding back create a one-of-a-kind bag. Great stash buster! Any shape, any size with fabric/webbing or bought leather handles - the choice is yours!
4. Jelly Roll Bag The ever popular jelly roll bag! Another great stashbuster – so you don’t even need to buy a jelly roll....! Once you have the ‘tube technique’ mastered you can make the original design or come up with a few creations of your own. Lots of optional extras to add and a variety of closures and handles.

06/08/2024

Here's another teaser for you...

This machine embroidery unit workshop is exclusively for Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff owners!! Jamie – his official title is ‘Senior product manager - Sergers and Accessories’ – but don’t let that put you off.. LOL) is teaching this workshop. Despite jetting between the UK, USA, Sweden and Europe, Jamie is heavily involved with research and development, but in between times is a prolific embroidery stitcher who has made many of the samples you’ll see on the companies’ websites.

He is a wonderfully patient teacher who will take you through all the fantastic embroidery techniques that these machines can do. Whether you’re a machine embroidery novice or an ‘old hand’ there’s bound to be some things you’ve never tried before (or maybe forgotten??), so let’s put these machines through their paces!!

You’ll create enough squares to make a sampler quilt/table runner/bag - whatever you fancy. Designs include Thread velvet, Chenille flowers, Cutwork (to make reverse applique), Yarn couching, Twin needle, Quilting using the Endless hoop (for borders), 3D Popup flowers, Felting (free standing using wool tops), Patchwork in the hoop using the metal hoops, plus lots more! You’ll use lots of different hoops such as so bring all your hoops along!! (We’ll have a limited number of hoops for you to borrow if you don’t already own them). So, let’s embroider!!!!

25/07/2024

‼️ATTENTION ‼️

I’ve added the retreats for next year, you will find them in the ‘events’ section. Please note the April date has changed. So go and check them out and put them in your diary before you book any holidays 🤣🤣 and let us know if you’re coming by clicking the button. If you have any friends who you think might want to attend then please get them to email Pam to register interest and get put on the mailing list 😁 [email protected]

24/05/2024

Emails with booking forms are being sent out today 😁

21/05/2024

Here's you last sneak peek...
Fun In The Hoop with Marianne
Join Marianne for this gorgeous ‘Pic’n’mix’ digital machine embroidery workshop. This workshop is open to anyone with an embroidery unit machine - whatever the make - as long as it has a hoop size approx 240mm x 150mm and a USB port to download the designs. If you’re new to this type of sewing this is a brilliant workshop for you as you’ll learn such a lot and have great fun with Marianne too.
There are 2 main projects to choose from - a stunning Biscornu cushion and a super patchwork/foundation quilted project which can be made into a cushion, centre piece or even joined together to make a fabulous table runner.
But you know Marianne always has more up her sleeve, so there will be lots of small projects and lovely embellishments to make to add to other projects.
Oh and keep an eye on your email on Friday, booking forms and Be Inspired leaflet will be dropping in your inboxes xx

18/05/2024

Here's your next sneak peek!!!!

This stretch knit workshop, with Janice Croft, is perfect if you want to get more out of your overlocker - but don’t panic if you don’t have one you can use your sewing machine instead.
This weekend you can make anything from cowlneck tops to yoga pants, scuba joggers, a wrap dress, one-piece trousers and tops plus more…. Cardigans of all types, from winter weight fancy knits to sheer stretch lace. You’ll also add to your pattern drafting skills and maybe design some garments of your own.

15/05/2024

Ok girls, here are some teasers for July's KOS!!! The Be Inspired leaflet and booking form will be emailed next weekend for you to book, so please don't go emailing Pam to ask to book on any of the classes. I'm giving you a sneak peek every few days to whet your whistle 😁

First up we have the lovely Roxana from Hannah's Room...

If you enjoy applique, free motion quilting and playing with Inktense pens, then this is the workshop for you!! If you like the mindfulness of slow stitching then you'll love this class - it proved to be very popular last time.

22/04/2024

Hi Everyone

Thank you soooo much for coming to KOS. What a fantastic weekend. Kos wouldn’t work without you. What a talented bunch you are (much more so than some of you give yourselves credit for!!)

All the workshops were buzzing and the feedback from all the quality of teaching has been amazing so huge thanks to our tutors (all new to KOS by the way) who went far beyond the call of duty.

It was so lovely to have Kate Findlay with us – such a patient and talented teacher. Every Wild Gardens picture was so different – I’m just glad I wasn’t asked to pick a favourite ‘cos it would have been impossible. I wish I could have done her workshop too - but she will be back, and fingers crossed I’ll have time to sit and do a lovely art project with her next time.

Our very own Helen Smith with her Teddy Bear workshop – well, what can I say – every bear looked so professional. I was secretly hoping someone would forget to take theirs home so I could pinch it!!! And what a lovely teacher Helen is – I hope she’ll agree to teach some more of her lovely projects at a future KOS!

Hayley West (or as Rozzie calls her ‘Hayley off the telly’) - what a clever and laid-back teacher with such inventive projects – all completely different - from the Project Tote Bag to the Embellished Denim Jacket - and I know she has lots more up her sleeve…pardon the pun! So, watch this space!

Finally, the talent in the DIY section was stunning – I do hope you post your projects on KOS fb to show what you do. Such diverse projects - you are an inspiration to all of us.

My grateful thanks goes to my lovely right hand gal Rozzie - no way could I manage without her - she reminds me of stuff I forget and keeps everything ticking over at KOS weekends - not to mention her having a louder voice than me for announcements !!

We raised so much money with the charity drives that several charities will benefit including Cancer Research, Guide Dogs, Myton Hospice and Healing Hands (Ukraine) and well as Acorn’s Children’s hospice and Redwings Horse Sanctuary. So, thank you all for taking part and special thanks to those who brought gifts in for the raffle and for all the toiletries, pills and ‘stuff’ for Sue’s forthcoming aid for Ukraine trip.

I’ll send out details of July’s KOS as soon as they are finalised, so check out your inbox towards the back end of May.

Thanks again,

Take care

Pam xx

21/04/2024

I’m home from my sewing retreat - shattered, as always but I have had the best time ❤️ I made my first bear from white boucle with green felt accents and once the head was stuffed and attached to the body, I fixed the arms and legs on and then cut out another bear on cuddle plush fabric in brown with cream accents. I got that all sewn and to the same stage as the white one and then spent a good few hours stuffing them. Pleased I managed to finish the stuffing, close the seams, add a nose, mouth and ears before time ran out and I had to head home. I have yet to name them, but for now I’m sitting with my feet up and recovering ❤️❤️

04/04/2024

It’s not long now!!!!!

Can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to Aprils retreat and seeing everyone again.

For the Thursday arrivals……

28/03/2024

20/03/2024

One of our members took a Kate Findlay class a couple of years ago and it just shows what can be achieved given the correct skills and techniques. Isn’t this scene fabulous???

12/03/2024

A little over a month away until our next retreat. I personally can’t wait, things are hectic at home with building work, a new grandson arriving any moment. I will be soooo ready to come and have some much needed sewing time for me, not making orders, or doing admin, but pure sewing time. I’m going on the bear making course and I can’t wait. Who’s coming? And what are you doing?

03/03/2024

‼️IT’S HERE‼️

Here is your Be Inspired leaflet for the April Keep On Sewing retreat - booking forms and the Be Inspired leaflet will be emailed to all of you on the mailing list - so if you want to come and join us please email Pam, either using the button above or dropping her an email at [email protected] - or just get on the mailing list anyway, so you don’t miss any future retreats. Its only an email every three months, you don’t get bombarded in between xx

29/01/2024

Well another retreat is over. I have the usual “post KOS” slump but oh my word, what a fabulous one this one was. Everyone worked SOOOO hard. Janice’s ladies all creating their dressmaking blocks - so much work went into that and there was so much talent in that workshop, I think some even pulled an all nighter 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Gail’s workshop produced some stunning work, all beautiful and all individual to their own tastes - I do hope everyone will post their work 😍 - the DIYer’s were beavering away and producing some stunning work 😍 and my workshop did amazingly well - some parts were very challenging, but everyone pushed through, took on board all the techniques and produced some amazing bags and I was very proud of each and everyone of them 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Until the next time 😘😘

11/01/2024

It’s nearly time!!! Who’s coming? Who’s getting excited???

06/12/2023

🤣🤣🤣

19/11/2023

Morning everyone. Here is the Be Inspired leaflet for Januarys retreat. If you fancy any of the workshops or just would like some much needed ‘me sewing time’ after Christmas then please make sure you send an email to Pam - click the button above.

Booking forms will be sent out this week, so make sure you’re on the mailing list or you’ll miss out xx

08/11/2023

Here is the latest Keep On Sewing info sheets for you to read, which explains how the weekends run.

The Be Inspired leaflet with the classes for January will be coming soon, so make sure you have emailed Pam so you’re on the mailing list and don’t miss out xx

07/11/2023

What a fabulous weekend retreat we had last month. As always, I came home shattered but totally buzzing with ideas, and then I had my flu and covid jab, and that was me done for 4/5 days. Everytime I have a covid jab, I have a worse reaction, but it’s far better than getting covid again!!! Gina has posted lovely photos from her class and here is some quick pics from the DIY section - there was quilt making, dressmaking, Christmas items, bag making - just a wealth of talent in one corner of the room. The class details will be coming out for January soon, so please check you’ve emailed Pam so you don’t miss out on the email xx

25/10/2023

Just a quick line to say a huge thank you to everyone who braved the awful rain on Friday to come to Keep on Sewing this last weekend. It was great to see you all from ‘old hands’ to newbies. Thank you for all the lovely comments posted on Facebook and those sent to me personally too.

Huge thanks of course to Rozzie – couldn’t do these weekends now without her running around keeping a check on me - lol - and to the other admins, Jules and Marianne for running the Facebook group.

If you couldn’t come this time, you missed a real treat. We had a fantastic weekend with 3 brilliant tutors, Kathleen Laurel Sage, Gina Ferrari and Susan Austin who all went above and beyond with their ‘students’ plus the DIYers who beavered away on their own projects. Check out some of the things they made on the Keep on Sewing Retreat Coventry Facebook - amazing sewing ladies!

The Holiday Inn hotel staff catered for our every need from booking in to checking out with superb food and nonstop coffees and teas…..I don’t envy them having to hoover that really messy floor!!

£500 was raised for charity from the sale of goody bags, fabrics, threads and other bits and bobs. This will be split between the 5 regular KOS charities. Even more money was raised by Marianne, Joy and Margaret for their charities, plus the ‘stuff’ brought in for Sue’s Ukraine collection and the Hedgehogs was awesome, so thank you all for your generosity.

And now to 2024! I hope you’ll be able to join us on a retreat next year so here are the dates for your diary…..

January 26th-28th

· Janice Croft teaching Dressmaking homing in on Pattern Drafting and Adaption

· Gail Lawther with Applique and Free Motion Quilting

· Jules Moreton-Ford teaching Real Handbag Making

· DIYers – Sew Your Own Things

In a couple of weeks, the ‘Be Inspired’ leaflet with full details of the workshops will be posted on the fb group and then be emailed, together with a booking form, to everyone who is on the Keep on Sewing mailing list. I can tell you now that there’s so much interest in the workshops, however it’s not feasible to ‘pencil you in’ on a particular workshop - we have to be fair across the board. So, remember it’s ‘fastest finger first’ with places allocated on receipt on the completed booking form and payment.

The other 2024 dates are:

April 19th-21st, July 19th-21st and October 18th-20th

Hope to see you on a Keep on Sewing retreat next year!

Take Care

Pam x

20/09/2023

Just had some updated info for Susan’s box making class in October. She has new shapes and even round boxes - with it without zip closures!!!!

Can’t wait for this 😍

13/09/2023

This is just one of the classes on offer at our next retreat - I’ve done one of Sue’s box making classes before, it’s amazing - you will learn a fantastic new skill, you can use orphan quilt blocks, embroidery blocks, picture panels and turn them into something not only beautiful, but very useful too. It’s a fabulous weekend, three full days (and nights, if you want to) of sewing, laughing, learning and making new friends.

25/08/2023

I know summer hasn’t really happened and I’m not trying to wish the seasons away, but I needed some simple sewing so I’ve been making pumpkins 🎃

24/07/2023

A little round up of the last retreat 😍

Upcycling and reusing denim in the dressmakers class - spinning around in circles in the quilting class - applique, bag making, dressmaking, Christmas decor, cushion making, even a swimsuit was made in the DIY group - a storm of Christmassy machine embroidery in the Christmas in July class, even a tree 🌲

Next week I’ll be putting up a little taster of what’s to come in Octobers retreat - only 89 days to go 😁😂

24/07/2023

Just a few of the comments made from this last retreat……so pleased that newbies felt right at home along with all us oldies xx

22/07/2023

I love these weekends - full of fun, laughter, learning, sewing, good food and being looked after by all the wonderful staff at the hotel ❤️

22/07/2023

Marianne is doing a Christmas in July class - a la Grinch style 😂😂