Make Your Very Own Mittens and Keep Your Hands Warm and Stylish
The last few weeks have been possibly the coldest on Earth right? Ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration – but they’ve been pretty close! If you’re the sort of person who is always leaving the house without their gloves because you’ve left them in your other coat, you might be interested in our latest ‘how to’ guide, which is going to tell you how to make your own mittens using products available in the Abakhan range.
A lot of gloves and mittens available in high street stores just don’t appeal to consumers. In most cases, shoppers go in looking for a new pair and leave with a product that they don’t really like purely because it’s too cold to go without! By making your own out of stylish fabric you can personalise your hand wear to match your tastes, something you can’t do when buying from the high street.
What You Need
• Fabric
• Needle and Thread/Sewing Machine
• Pins
• Marker Pen
• Paper and Tracing Paper
What to Do
1. Draw around your hand onto a piece of paper and then use the drawing to create a neat, tidy template on a second sheet. Ensure that the template is slightly bigger than your hand to ensure that you can get the mitten on – this will be the size of the final product.
2. Cut out the template and use it to make a second template from another piece.
3. Lay out your chosen fabric and place the two templates on top. Line up the bottom of the templates with the bottom of the material and pin them in place for extra stability while you work.
4. Cut the fabric 1-2cm around the outside of the template, giving you the material you need to sew the edges together afterwards.
5. Repeat the process so you have to left hands and two rights.
6. Sew both pairs of glove shapes together using a sewing machine or a very small backstitch. Use the paper template as a guide and then cut any excess material 1-2mm away from the stitching.
You should then have your own pair of mittens to keep your hands toasty on those cold winter days! To get all your materials, visit your local Abakhan store or contact us to find out more information about any of our products.
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Ever wanted to make your own curtains or learn to knit? Then why not visit the Bolton store on the below dates. Our in-house experts will be on hand to help and advise you. All demonstrations are free and take place from 4pm – 7pm. Selected discounts and promotions will be available at event times.*
Thursday February 23rd, 4pm - 7pm
Introduction to Curtain Fabrics and How to Measure Your Windows for Curtains & Blinds - Jeanette Woolrich
Thursday 1st March, 4pm - 7pm
Learn to Knit - Mary Walton
Thursday 8th March, 4pm - 7pm
Next Steps in Knitting - Mary Walton
Thursday 15th March, 4pm - 7pm
How to Make Simple Curtains - Jeanette Woolrich
*All demonstrations are FREE. Selected discounts and promotions will be available at event times. Subject to change, please check in-store if you wish to confirm availability.
See online for information on workshops, courses and free demonstrations at other stores.
www.abakhan.co.uk
Embroiderers’ Guild Challenge competition with a piece entitled ‘Or nué re-imagined’ by Isobel Currie
My name is Isobel and I have worked in the craft department of Abakhan Fabrics in Manchester for 20 years. Since the age of three I have been interested in needle-crafts, and embroidery in particular. In the autumn of last year I entered the Embroiderers’ Guild Challenge competition with a piece entitled ‘Or nué re-imagined’.
The challenge was to create an embroidered artwork using a piece from the Guild’s collection as inspiration - a visitors’ book by Margaret Nicholson stitched in the gold-work technique of ‘or nué’ (a form of couching).
I chose to respond to the brief by using a detail from the original design, but rendering it in a modern dynamic three-dimensional way; by deconstructing the technique into its constituent parts. I had the basic idea for the design fairly quickly,
but it took some time to work out the details and about two months to produce the piece. The stitches are done in stranded cotton, they wrap around vertical nylon filaments and gold cords which are stitched through a perspex box. I hope that with the finished piece I have managed to show respect for the traditional technique of ‘or nué’ whilst experimenting with its potential for new interpretation.
I was delighted that the judges liked my work and gave it the Valerie Campbell- Harding Award for best innovation. ‘Or nué re-imagined’ was exhibited on the Guild stand at the Knitting and Stitching shows at Alexandra Palace and Harrogate
in late 2011, and is now on display at the Embroiderers’ Guild headquarters in Surrey.
Cold On Top? Try Knitting Your Own Wooly Hat
The recent cold snap has taken many of us by surprise. In the UK you expect the snow and ice to arrive before Christmas – skipping the period where we actually want it to snow i.e. Christmas day – and disappear by mid-January. As is so often the case with the British weather, that hasn’t happened. A lot of people have been stuck in their villages with no way of getting to the nearest town or city to buy their winter essentials. Normally that would mean the world stopping around them, but there is an alternative to buying a new winter hat - knitting your own.
While many people will have put learning to knit onto their list of New Years resolutions and then forgotten about the whole thing, others are seeing the opportunity to make their own hats as the first step into achieving that goal.
Using some of the products from the Abakhan range, we’ve devised a plan to help you on your way to making your own wooly hats to keep you warm through the cold weather.
What You Need
• Needles – it goes without saying that needles are an essential for knitting. We recommend our 35cm x 10mm needles as these give the user much more to hang on to.
• Wool – again another essential part of making any wooly hat. By using even yarn beginners have a much better chance of success as it’s easier to work with than the more ‘knobbly’ form.
• A plan – by coming up with an idea before you start and then sticking to it, you’re much more likely to get your hat right. Problems occur when people attempt to change their plan halfway through a project so only start when you’re absolutely happy with it.
Key Terms There are a few terms and abbreviations associated with knitting. Some of the main terms are ‘cast’ which is to get the stitches on to the needle. Another is ‘knit’ – a basic stitch – and ‘purl’ is another basic stitch. Some of the abbreviations are a bit less clear to beginners. One of which is ‘k’ short for knit. ‘P’ relates to ‘purl’, ‘K2tog’ means to knit two stitches together and similarly ‘P2tog’ is to purl two stitches together.
What To Do With us so far? Right, well, here goes!
1. The Headband Cast on 36 stitches. For a fitted hat do eight rows of k3, p3 all the way to the end. For a baggier hat, increase that to ten or twelve rows but ensure it is always an even number.
2. The Middle Four, six or eight rows of stocking stitch (one row of knit stitch followed by one of purl stitch). Number will differ depending on the size of the hat but again – ensure it is an even number.
3. The Top Unlike the other two sections, the number of stitches here does not change. Row one – K2tog, K4 six times. Row two – P. Row three – K2tog, K3 six times. Row four – P. Row five – K2tog, K2 six times. Row six – P. Row seven – K2tog, K1 six times. Row eight – P2tog.
4. Cast Off and sew the sides together to finish.
By now you should have a very good wooly hat to keep you warm on those ventures out of the house into the arctic conditions outside. For more information on any of the products available at Abakhan, contact your local branch where the staff will be happy to help you with your enquiry. Good luck!
Free Demonstrations at our Household Event - Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th February
There will be a 20% sale off all Household Fabrics and Accessories, Terms & Conditions apply, please see in-store for details. For store details, please click here.
How to make a lingerie case by Sue Locke
You will need a piece of fabric and a piece of lining (each 55cm x 35 cm), a piece of contrast fabric (35 cm x 24 cm) for the flap and a small piece of felt and a vintage button.
To make the pattern
Draw out a rectangle on squared paper that is 30 x 51 cm. The longer edges are the sides. Now draw a line across the rectangle that is 10 cm down from the top edge. Now draw a curve from each side point and along the top edge. Next slash the pattern along the 10cm drawn line.
Cutting out
pin the remaining rectangle on your fabric and cut it out then do the same with the lining. Pin the curved pattern piece on the contrast fabric and cut it out twice.
Step to sew
1. With right sides together stitch the fabric to one flap piece. Then stitch the lining to a flap piece in the same way. Press open the seams.
2. With right sides together stitch the lining and fabric together leaving an opening. Turn to right side and press opening edges to the inside of the bag.
3. Working on the right side of the bag fold up the lower edge for 17 cm. Press lightly then topstitch the side edges together (to form the pouch).
4. Fold down the top flap for 10 cm (so a small amount of the fabric is showing above the contrast one), and press in place. Now topstitch around the flap.
5. Cut a flower shape from felt and stitch it on to the flap with a vintage button.
Sue Locke is a freelance writer and designer. She writes the monthly style pages for Sewing World magazine and designs fashion accessories. For more information or advice please contact Sue Locke - Click here to view Sue’s website.
Sewing for a weekend away
It seems that the television stations are currently awash with advertisements about exotic holidays and all with exotic prices. And travel companies know that about this time of year most people would just love to take a break. So if you find that a hot holiday is out of your budget range here are some wardrobe suggestions for a short break a little closer to home.
Firstly, at this time of year you will need a warm top layer. A jacket rather than a coat can be a more practical option for travelling. Fleece is an excellent fabric choice because it sews up quickly and easily. You won’t need to line your garment and you can finish your seams with pinking shears. For an interesting effect consider working a plain and printed fleece fabric together.
Casual trousers are essential and most people opt for denim. While you may prefer to buy a ready made pair do consider the benefits of making your own. The main advantage of making trousers is that you can create a really good fit. However many shapes of trouser a store offers it’s unlikely that a pair will fit you perfectly. You can also choose to add decorative finishes to your own denims. Add embroidery to pockets and highlight seams with contrasting thread. And never discard remnants of denim cloth. They are perfect for small accessories or an edgy trim on a neat jacket.
If you are travelling with hand-luggage-only then you’ll want garments that pack down easily. Tops made from jersey fabric are ideal. They’ll pack down very neatly and they are far less likely to crease compared to something like cotton. Take a simple T-shape top and make it up in lots of different colours. Add some simple appliqué for a distinctive finish. For evening you could sew one in black and finish the neckline with beadwork or rhinestones.
For a night out you’ll probably also want to include a smart dress. Again jersey can be ideal or you could use a plain polyester. You can simply dress it up with some loud jewellery. Make a simple fabric clutch in satin to add some glamour and again you can trim it with small crystal beads or seed beads.
If you like pretty underwear then you can make a camisole and pants in just a few evenings. For something really special make them in silk and trim the edges with lace and contrasting ribbon. Keep your pieces in a neat fabric case by making our design shown below.
Top tips for a weekend wardrobe
1. Make a jacket instead of a coat as it’s easier for travelling and choose fleece for a quick-to-make garment.
2. You might buy ready-made denims but making your own will ensure you have a perfect fit.
3. Look through the Abakhan fabric range for some lovely stretch material for your day tops.
4. Taking the time to add trimmings to your garments will give them that stand-out quality.
5. A week-end away is the perfect excuse to make some luxury lingerie.
Sue Locke is a freelance writer and designer. She writes the monthly style pages for Sewing World magazine and designs fashion accessories. For more information or advice please contact Sue Locke - Click here to view Sue’s website.
Do You Know Where Fabric Comes From? This Will Get Your Spider Senses Tingling
One of the most in-demand materials on planet earth, fabric has been used for a number of different purposes over years. Obviously, clothing and drapes are two popular uses, as are curtains and sofas, but many people are unaware as to where it actually comes from. Well, courtesy of an exhibit in London, they’re about to get a bit of a shock!
A cape created from golden silk spun by more than a million spiders is going on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum in the capital. The hand-woven garment and its partner, a four-metre long piece of brocaded fabric, took more than four years to create and involved around 1.2 million female Madagascan Golden Orb spiders.
Madagascar-based Simon Peers and Nicholas Godley made the cape, and they are the only large textiles to have been made from spider silk. The last known spider silk textile was made for a Parisian exhibit in 1900, but no examples are in existence today.
The spiders, which are not harmed in the creation of the pieces, are collected in the mornings and their silk harvested by trained handlers, before the eight-legged creatures are returned to the wild at the end of the day.
Peers said that he created the pieces, as he was “keen to show the spider silk textiles at the Victoria and Albert Museum, being the most appropriate place to premiere this work in Europe. The unique and historic costume and textile collections have been a constant source of inspiration over the years, and as we know, the museum has never before shown anything made from spider silk, despite its diverse collection of art.”
Many people love arts and crafts as a hobby, with people loving the opportunity to be innovative and unique. Everyone has a creative spark in them, whether it’s creating their own clothes, or stitching a breathtaking design into cushions. Either way, you can personalise your whole home with a bit of thought. To get your hands on some fine quality – but not spider-spun – fabrics, visit the Abakhan website. Should you have any questions about our range, or other products available, contact your local store.
Bolton store - Friday opening hours have changed
Please note that our Bolton store will now be open between (9:30am – 6:00pm) every Friday.
Pattern Cutting demonstration at our Liverpool store
A Free 'Pattern Cutting Demonstration' will be taking place at our Liverpool store this Saturday 4th February, 12pm - 3pm with Toni Bate.
So come along, pick up some tips and ask Toni if you have any questions. Please note that demonstrations are subject to change, so please check in advance if you are making a special visit.
Rihanna is searching for Britain’s most exciting new fashion designers
Rihanna is searching Britain for the next generation of raw, undiscovered designer talent and has hand-picked Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts to head up the challenge for her.
Over eight weeks, twelve unknown designers will be challenged by Rihanna and Nicola to create outfits for a string of musicians and celebrities. The show will celebrate the extraordinary talent and creativity in the British fashion scene. With Rihanna, a fashion icon herself, and Nicola, who created her own Dainty Doll make-up range, at the helm, the show will recognise the increasing influence popstars have on mainstream trends.
The final challenge and ultimate task for the winner will be to design a unique stage outfit for Rihanna’s Wireless performance in Hyde Park in July 2012. The chance to dress one of the world’s most famous women for an event that will attract worldwide coverage is the perfect springboard for the aspiring designer’s future fashion career.
Executive producer, Rihanna said:
“I’ve always had a great love of fashion. It’s a constant source of inspiration in my life, and is a big reason why I’ve grown into the person and artist I am today. I have been very fortunate to work with some truly amazing designers and stylists throughout my career, and they have been instrumental in making sure my creative vision reaches the stage. I am excited to follow the journey of our aspiring contestants and see how their individuality influences their efforts during the course of the show.”
Nicola added: “I’m so excited for us to get started on finding a new up and coming British designer who just needs a chance, a little bit of help in getting their skills noticed. There are talented people, undiscovered because they don’t have the means, or their circumstances are too far away from the fashion world. This show is here to discover those people and give them a shot. I’m looking for someone who can think outside the box, and who isn’t going to give up at the first hurdle”
To take part visit Sky Living or email applications@twentytwenty.tv
Applications must be received by Sunday 5th February. Filming takes place over 8 weeks in the UK from April 2012.
Create your own Valentines Day Gifts
When it comes to Valentines Day, choosing the right gift can be particularly tricky. You need to show your partner how you feel about them – without spending less than they do on you – and also reflecting how they feel about you. For instance, if you turn up with a bouquet of garage forecourt flowers, and they buy you an expensive, personalised watch, you could find yourself single by the 15th February. For that reason, we’ve come up with some great ideas to help you make your Valentines gift at home.
Creating something from scratch allows you to put your heart and soul into the gift, with the recipient immediately aware of the effort you’ve gone to in order to make them the perfect present.
Going shopping for the perfect gift can be a chaotic process. You finally find yourself a couple of hours to hit the high street, (normally the day before), and after what seems like a week of window-shopping, you’re still uninspired. Unless you’re born with that unique trait of knowing exactly what to get your loved one, (please share it with me), making your own can be the way to go.
As mentioned earlier, you can show your loved one how you feel by making them something unique that you’ve poured your heart into, and there are several other advantages to making your gift. For instance, nobody knows your partner like you do. If you pop to the shops for a gift, it’s inevitable for the item you want to be unavailable in their favourite colour or size. By creating your own gift, you have the opportunity to make it according to the tastes of your partner, making it extra special for them.
It can also be a way of saving money, without it looking particularly inexpensive. Using materials bought from the Abakhan store, you can get everything you need for the perfect gift, such as wool, card, sewing patterns and accessories, without having to pay the over-the-top high street prices.
Still struggling for ideas? Well don’t tell your partner, but here’s a couple from us. Firstly, you could try making them some jewellery. If you’ve made it yourself, it’s certain to be unique, using the materials and colours they love, and you could customize it if you wish to let them know it’s from you, or include your Valentines message. Another option is to make them something for the home. If your partner is always talking about their love for throws or cushions in the living room, make them one to fit the décor of your home. Or if your partner loves to cook, you could make them something for the kitchen; They’ll need something to wear as they make the dinner! (Only joking!)
For all your essential accessories to make the perfect Valentines gift, including those mentioned here and anything you may already have in mind, visit or contact your local Abakhan store, or place an order online.
Dress Fabrics
would like to say a big thank you for your service, your products are very good, the dress fabric I have just recieved is lovely. Thank you once again.
S. Roffe, 26th January 2012
I would like to say a big thankyou for your service, your products are very good, the dress fabric I have just recieved is lovely. Thank you once again. Sonia RoffeDelivered when it said that it would!
I just wanted to say what excellent service I have received from Abakhan, good quality, good prices, excellent communication and very fast delivery, and delivered when it said that it would! There are many companies out there who could learn alot from Abakhan.
Many thanks, Kath, 24th January 2012
Get Knitting and be a Part of the 2012 Olympics
A lot of the United Kingdom will have applied – probably unsuccessfully – for tickets to this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics in London, and while there will be many travelling to the capital to take in the sights and sounds of the sporting showpiece, others will be confined to watching on the television. But there is a way for you to get involved – by knitting.
A shop in Ely in Cambridgeshire is giving locals the opportunity to participate in the national Woolsack competition, which is aiming to get people throughout the UK knitting special cushions to commemorate the games coming to London, with them being presented to the athletes taking part as a souvenir.
Ginette Herd, the co-owner of Yarn on the Square, said that “We’re trying to get as many people as possible to grab their needles and start knitting. These cushions will be presented to the athletes as personal gifts, so they can take a little bit of Britain away with them, whether they’ve been successful or not.”
The cushions can be made in any colour, and any size, but the one stipulation in place is that those involved must use British wool in their creations, giving the final product a true British feel.
So while others are putting up the bunting in the streets and settling down to watch the athletes fight it out for the glory, you can be doing your own special thing, and really contributing to the whole Olympic experience for the athletes. Creating something that reflects everything great about Britain will hopefully make the games truly memorable for those taking part, watching at the venues and in front of their television sets at home.
With the games fast approaching, knitters are being encouraged to get down to business as soon as possible, so if you want to be a part of the Olympics, get knitting!
To get yourself all the knitting equipment you would need to take part, visit the dedicated section on the website, or to find out more information about our products, contact your local Abakhan branch today.
Sewing Pattern Ideas for Men
Sewing can be one of those things that you’re either a whizz at, or something you’ll struggle with. Some people are able to pick up the needle and thread and start clicking away, finishing their creation in no time at all, while people at the other end of the spectrum are still pondering how to get started. Men are particularly difficult to buy anything for, which means sewing them something can be a great idea. Here are a few sewing pattern ideas that can help you create a great gift for the special man in your life.
Whilst women have a reputation as being tricky to buy for, men can actually be just as fussy. By sewing them something special, you can keep them in the loop and make sure that the sizes and colours are right. By doing it this way, you are able to ensure that the trousers reach the floor, (evenly), there is enough material in the body, and that the sleeves are the correct size. If you want to keep the gift a secret of course, you can try the clothes out on a friend or family member who is of a similar size.
Men’s pyjamas are particularly difficult to buy, usually because men resort to sleeping in their underwear or old clothes when they’re in bed. This means that you have no hints to go by in terms of their preferences for comfort and size. The first of our sewing pattern ideas is the ideal solution; giving you all the suggestions and directions you need to make a set of pyjamas and nightshirt for the man in your life. This means that you’re in a position to make something based around their exact measurements – or at least very close – rather than guessing. Also, you can make it according to their favourite colours, and won’t be restricted to what is on the hanger in stores.
Another useful sewing pattern for men is the boys and mens boxer shorts pattern. You can never have enough underwear. You can guarantee that over time you’ll lose underwear in the washing machine – nobody ever knows why – or a family member will claim them as their own. By making them, you’ll give the man in your life that little reason to think about you every time they get dressed in the morning.
For more sewing pattern ideas for men, visit our product page. Alternatively, you can contact your local branch – which you can find by clicking on the stores link – or give us a call on 01745 562133.
It was a pleasure instead of a difficulty
I'd just like to say how delighted I am with my purchases and the excellent service I recieved on my weekend order. Of course 70% off helped ;o) but the daylight lamps I purchased (for my Mum and me) made such a difference to my crafting last night - it was a pleasure instead of a difficulty. And the next day delivery and even a time slot was first class! Thank you very much!.
A Hayes, 11th January 2012
How to make a colourful bag by Sue Locke
Make It
Currently popular with A-list celebs a basic tote in a stand-out shade is a great way to inject some colour into your outfit. If you make it in a plain cream or white you can add your own design with fabric paint.
Materials
1. Cut out two rectangles in linen and two in a cotton print each 40 x 50 cm. The longer measurement is for the sides. Then cut two handles in linen each 60 x 10 cm.
2. With right sides together stitch the sides and bottom edge of the linen bag pieces together. Now do the same with the cotton print but making sure you leave a 20 cm opening in one side seam (this is for turning through later on).
3. Take one handle and along the longer edges press a 1cm turning to the inside. Then press the handle in half lengthways, enclosing the pressed edges. Now machine along each side of the handle. Repeat with the other handle.
4. Pin, then baste the raw ends of your handles to the top edge of your tote, positioning them an equal distance away from the centre on each side of the top edge.
5. With right sides together machine the lining and bag together along the top edge enclosing the handles as you sew.
6. Turn the bag through to the right side through the opening and then close the opening with machining to finish.
Sue Locke is a freelance writer and designer. She writes the monthly style pages for Sewing World magazine and designs fashion accessories. For more information or advice please contact Sue Locke - Click here to view Sue’s website.
A New Year and a New You - Freshen up your wardrobe by Sue Locke
It’s a tradition that most of us make promises to ourselves at the start of a New Year. We might be planning to lose weight, get more exercise or start a new hobby but have you ever considered re-vamping your wardrobe? Although we may spend a considerable amount of money stitching some beautiful garments, how often do we carefully co-ordinate them with our existing clothes? Or, for that matter how often do we get radical enough to clear away items that we really don’t need any more? I recently read an article by a Fashion Editor who said that we should all re-examine our wardrobe every two months. Well, that may sound a bit excessive but twice a year surely isn’t, and perhaps early January is a great place to start.
Getting Started
The first step to re-organising your wardrobe begins with removing every single item. Then, create three piles. One for garments to be discarded, another for those that can be re-cycled and a third for those you want to keep. Study the clothes you have, especially those you wear frequently and see if you have any colour themes. A really useful wardrobe of clothes needs a backbone shade. It could be black, charcoal grey, navy, brown or camel. Once you have chosen your backbone colour then you can start to build other shades around it. If you don’t have a backbone colour and use a random palette you will soon start to see how difficult it is for you to mix and match your clothes. At this point you may need to replace certain items and re-make them in your core shade. Garments such as a coat, a skirt suit with matching trousers, a plain shift dress, a casual skirt and a fitted jacket should all be made in your backbone colour.
Staying In Fashion
Once you have selected your essential items in your core colour then it’s time to add in some fabrics that are predicted to be the hot trends for 2012. For example you might like to make a beautiful lace shell top to wear with your skirt suit. Or, you could select a vibrant polyester floral print and sew it up in an over-sized shirt to team with your trousers. And if you have a plain shift dress then make it on-trend with a wide strip of colourful viscose in a hot new colour like deep red. Don’t forget that you can also use accessories for fashion accents. Make a large tote (see instructions in my other post), in a brightly coloured linen for maximum impact. Make a wrap around belt to top your plain casual skirt or sew a brightly coloured collar in a fleece fabric to team with your coat. By working to this method it is easy to see that you will always have something to wear and you can still add in the latest fabrics.
Styles to sew for 2012
1. Sahara colours are big news this year, so create something in a hot red or deep yellow to contrast with your backbone basics.
2. Following on from that foreign tribal prints are still with us. They are perfect for a casual week-end skirt.
3. A simple shift dress in pure white will take you to any number of occasions.
4. Invest in lace. It’s the perfect finishing touch for that floral blouse.
5. If you were a fan of the boho look then you’ll want to stitch up some gypsy-themed designs. Try an off-the-shoulder blouse in a bold red or cobalt blue.
6. And floral prints are still with us so you won’t go far wrong by adding a pretty print to your wardrobe.
7. Probably one of the biggest predicted trends this year is sportswear. Follow after top designer Stella McCartney and make a simple zip fronted jacket in white or gold to wear at the week-end.
Sue Locke is a freelance writer and designer. She writes the monthly style pages for Sewing World magazine and designs fashion accessories. For more information or advice please contact Sue Locke - Click here to view Sue’s website.
Measurements by Corrie Robinson
In my last piece we discussed how the height of a person dictates what kind of garment would suit them. Once you have chosen a sewing pattern, it is now imperative to make sure it will fit perfectly. You can take a number of measurements, all the way down to the length of their fingers - however, there are a few that must not be missed.
First measurement (for the female form) is the bust.
Now, I have always found that this is a really difficult size to take - many patterns request that you take the fullest part of the bust, then the upper bust, but I have never really understood where the upper bust is. Many moons ago I devised a method that so far has always worked and makes my life a little easier, I hope it works for you too!
Measure across the fullest part of the bust (with the person wearing the bra they would be wearing under the garment - a bra can change the bust measurements up to 2inches). Then measure directly under the bust and add these 2 measurements together, divide by 2, this will give you an average from both of them. e.g.
Fullest bust measurement - 36
Under bust measurement - 32
Added together - 68
Divide by 2 = 34 (This would give a size 12).
However, as in all dressmaking, it has an exception rule. If the 2 measurements are more than 4 inches in difference you need to increase the final measurement by 1" - when you are in between a size always go up to the bigger size as it can always be taken in, but can't be made bigger. (For the male form, you only need to take a single measurement across the chest).
Second measurement is the waist.
Now, with the waist it doesn't really determine any thing on the garment size, but it is a vital measurement to be checked against the pattern (especially if they are slightly rounded in the stomach area).
To find the waist you need to bring your finger down the side of the body and you will feel a slight indentation, just before we start to go out again over the hips. This indentation is the natural waistline and it is a lot higher than most people think, but to create a beautiful fit, the waist must sit on the waist.
Once you have a measurement, you need to go to the pattern pieces, on most you should see a line, marked with 'natural waistline'. What you need to do is measure across this line on all the pattern pieces that create the waisted area of your garment - don't forget when you add these together, you must take into account the seam allowances on each seam (this is usually 5/8ths of an inch). As long as this measurement is more than the body measurement, your piece will fit - if it's smaller, you must readjust the waistline to accommodate this. Usually, it's best to increase every multi-size seam by a small amount, rather than trying to extend on just one line - never try to change a solid seam line.
Third measurement - Back length.
This is taken from the nape of the neck (feel down from the hair line and you will be able to feel the first bump of the spine, this is where you want to place the tip of the measuring tape) down to the natural waistline. Feel down the back, making sure the tape is against the body, you will feel a dip in the spine before it comes out again. (If you can't feel the indentation then use the side as in the waist measurement).
15 and a half inches or less, then you must use the miss petite line.
16 inches and 17 inches, use normal.
17 and a half inches or more then you go on to miss tall.
- Miss petite, regardless of how much smaller the measurement is, you take out the same. Go to the pattern piece and you will see the miss petite line, this then usually has a box line above it. Fold the pattern on the solid line and place the folded edge on to the top line of the box. This should remove an inch on the body length.
- Miss tall, again regardless of how many inches longer the measurements are, you only need to extend by one inch. I recommend that you never cut your pattern pieces in half as it makes them more fragile and we want them to last as long as possible, so you can buy the next fashions, but keep the old for when they come back round again! To create a longer body form, pin up the top half of the pattern piece to your fabric, up to the shorten or lengthen line and using your chalk, place a small mark either side of the pattern piece, in line with the solid line, then place a second mark 1" lower. Cut out the top half of the garment and carefully unpin and move the pattern piece down so the solid line is now matching the second mark. Pin up and continue cutting out the garment, this will extend the body length by 1".
Fourth measurement - Hips
This measurement is used to determine size for any garment that falls from the waist, trousers, skirts etc. When taking a hip measurement, you must take in the fullest part of the backside. Keep the tape on the fullest part and allow the measuring tape to slightly drop as you come around to the front, making sure you are on the top of the thigh. Don't worry too much, using this method will make the measurement slightly bigger than the person, but this is so we have a little room for movement, the fabric on the hips is under a lot of strain, with sitting, bending,etc.
The final measurement is waist to required length.
When taking this measurement you want to make sure that the tape follows the curve of the backside, then drop to desired length.
Remember, these are only guides for your measurements. If you are ever unsure then always check the pattern piece itself. Another tip, which I always follow, is to line everything, this then allows you to cut out the whole piece in lining first. If the measurements or pattern is not correct, it doesn't cost the earth to replace and try again. However, as in most cases there is just a small adjustment required and you are already half way through your garment.
I hope my take on dressmaking is proving helpful, any questions or queries don't hesitate to ask on our Facebook page.
Regards Corrie Robinson
Click here to view Corrie Robinsons' website.
Choosing patterns - Lorna’s Top Tips
1. Be aware that the photograph or illustration on the front of the envelope will nearly always show a tall slim model and fashion drawings may elongate the body. Unless you too are this shape, remember that the finished garment may look a little different on you.
2. Check the pattern size chart before choosing the size required. For example, a size 10 dress from a shop is not necessarily the same as the size 10 of a commercial sewing pattern. Take hip, waist and bust measurements then compare them with the chart (normally on the back of the envelope although sometimes this information is printed inside) before cutting out the pattern pieces.
3. Multi-size patterns are very useful. Few people are a standard size and most people fall between two or more sizes. An example of this is someone with a size 10 bust, size 12 waist and size 14 hip (a classic pear shape) so a multi sized pattern allows the appropriate sizes to be cut giving a good fit when finished.
4. Take a look at the suggested fabrics on the pattern envelope. This is especially important when knitted or stretch fabric is suggested as it may be a pull on/pull off garment with no fastenings. Made up in a woven fabric, it might need a zip or button to get it on and off.
5. Check the difficulty rating stated on the pattern envelope if you are a beginner and choose an easy style.
For more information or sewing advice please contact Lorna Knight - Click here to view Lorna’s website.
Day Care Centre Gets Volunteers Knitting
After an article appeared in the Oxford Mail before Christmas, the John Radcliffe Hospital’s special care baby unit has been inundated with volunteers offering to knit special clothes for premature babies. Women at the Wantage Day Care centre began knitting the clothes for the tiny children back in 2007, and what started out as a few blankets, hats and booties has grown and grown, with regular deliveries of clothing now arriving at the centre.
Knitting is something that a lot of people enjoy doing as a hobby, opting for the enjoyment and challenging nature associated with the pastime, anxiously waiting to finish so they can marvel at what they’ve spent, in some cases, weeks or months creating.
When it comes to a new born baby, you can almost guarantee that the parents will be inundated with gifts including various items of clothing – with many knitted by the friend or family member – but the problem with premature babies is that they are often much smaller, so the baby clothes available in stores are simply too big for the child. This project has helped the parents find a solution to their clothing issues, and the coordinator of the project, Margaret Fell, has admitted that she has been “overwhelmed” by the support and donations they have received.
She told the Oxford Mail that “Mums often come to the unit underprepared, but these kind people have helped to clothe many children, and shown extraordinary skill in doing so.”
Many of the volunteers saw the article in the newspaper and rushed to help the unit out with their project. Knitting, after all, is a hobby that can be very fulfilling, but it isn’t restricted to making things just for yourself at winter or whenever your child needs a new wooly hat.
As all knitters will know, you get a real thrill out of completing a project and seeing the face of the recipient when you hand it over to them. The love and effort involved in creating a unique garment almost adds an extra layer of warmth to it, and by helping out premature children and their parents, you’ll be able to feel as though what you’ve done has really made a difference to someone’s life.
For more knitting news and for all the accessories you could possibly need for your next project, visit the dedicated section on the Abakhan website. Simply click the link here and you’ll be taken to the store. Alternatively, give us a call today on 01745 562133 to speak to one of our members of staff.
Choose a Fabric and Create your Fancy Dress Costume
The Christmas and New Year period is a time of celebration, with friends and families getting together to exchange presents or to go out and watch the New Year arrive in style with a beverage or two. At these times, many choose to hit the town for the party atmosphere, while others throw house parties with only their nearest and dearest invited round to share the festivities, with many of these parties having a fancy dress theme.
But for many this poses a big problem. How do you come up with a unique costume for the party that (a) nobody else is going to be wearing, and (b) doesn’t cost the earth? You make your own of course!
At fancy dress parties, you can spend upwards of £50 each time on a costume, either renting one from a store, or buying one online that you’ll quite possibly never wear again seems a bit of a waste of money, particularly when you’re a dab hand with a needle and thread. With plenty of fabric available either online or in shops, you have the creative freedom to create a costume that will definitely be unique, and provide a real talking point at the party.
Part of the whole fancy dress party experience is to get people talking with your costume, so you’ve got nothing to lose. If you’ve gone to the expense of splashing out on a spaceman or princess costume in the past, only to see someone there wearing the exact same one, you’ll appreciate how infuriating that can be.
Creating your own costume out of fabric and with a needle and thread or sewing machine can also be the ideal last-minute fix. Going down to a fancy dress shop or trying to order online around Christmas and New Year is bound to end with you buying a costume you don’t really want because all the others are sold out. Making one yourself allows you to make the necessary alterations before you leave the house for your night of fun.
At Abakhan, our fabric range is extensive and covers all kinds, from lace to imitation leather, and jersey knits to 100% cotton. To find out more information about any of our products or to find out what we have in stock, contact us today by calling your nearest branch, which you can find by clicking here.
Give the Perfect Gift with Fabric from Abakhan
Christmas is a time for giving, and also for wandering around the seasonal markets, taking in the smells of German sausages and roasted chestnuts. If you go to one of these Christmas markets, you’re likely to see a number of stalls selling homemade fleeces, jumpers, hats, gloves, the lot. You name it, they probably sell it.
What makes these stalls so popular and successful is the homemade factor. Getting hold of the right fabric and making something for a friend or loved one will certainly put a smile on their face when they open their present on Christmas morning.
The trends at the moment seem to be around the wooly hats with the animal faces and the dangly parts over the ears. Unfortunately, such is their popularity that the major stores have started producing their own and the prices have consequently gone up. So what’s the alternative? Paying over the odds for it? That’s just silly. Order the fabric and make it yourself and give the recipient something you know they will love.
You know the person better than the retailer, who might not stock their favourite animal hat, so by making it yourself you have the opportunity to personalise it for your loved one. At Abakhan we stock everything you would need to make it, so the rest is down to you.
The person you give the gift to is not only guaranteed to love what you’ve made for them, but they’ll really appreciate the effort you’ve gone to. After all, it really is the thought that counts.
To find out more information on our range of fabric and other essential accessories for all your home requirements, such as curtains and knitting equipment, get in touch with Abakhan by clicking here to find the details for your local branch.
The Clothes show live by Charlotte Liddle
For the second year running the clothes show dedicated a section of the exhibition to sewing, knitting and stitching - better known as Skintch! I was lucky enough to be part of the Sknitch area leading daily demonstrations on the inspiration stage, showing people quick and easy ways to customise clothing and accessories. With over 180 thousand visitors, the idea of the Sknitch area is to inspire young people to get crafting and to show that all of these traditional textile techniques can be fun, satisfying and thoroughly modern.
There were many stands in the area including industry magazines such as the lovely Molly Makes, leading knitting and crafting brands like to Rowan and Coats Crafts, as well as lots of smaller companies selling re-worked vintage clothing and accessories.
I was working on behalf of Coats Crafts and my job was to present six demonstrations per day, engaging visitors and ultimately showing how easy it can be to transform old or unused clothing. We designed our show with a ‘Ready Steady Cook’ type feel about it. A member of the audience was chosen to challenge the designer (which was me) and we were given 15 minutes to customize an item. Overall the shows were a success, we had various volunteers from students, to seasoned crafters, teachers as well as editors from magazines join us on stage. I was keen to promote the idea of re-use, re-work and recycle and to do this I showed how to transform zips into flowers, jeans into skirts, trousers into purses as well as suggesting many way to embellish these thrifty projects. I covered some of my favourite techniques such as appliqué with bondaweb, free motion and reverse embroidery and embellishing with beads and sequins.
If you love shopping and crafting then the clothes show is defiantly worth a visit, there are many fashion and beauty stands selling bargains but with the expanding Sknitch area you can now try your hand at new techniques, buy one off pieces of designer clothing or simply come away with inspiration and ideas for future projects. Go on - book your tickets in advance for next year!
Deck the halls with…knitting and crochet! Sarah Neal (Editor, Let's Knit Magazine)
This year knitted Christmas decorations have been all over the high street, as everyone from M&S to John Lewis seem to have woolly baubles and crocheted Christmas trees in their seasonal range. Of course, there’s no need to spend store prices or have the same as everyone else when it’s so easy to make your own! I’ve seen some lovely designs in the shops, my favourites being Norwegian-style baubles featuring traditional Fair Isle snowflake patterns, hanging stars in jaunty stripes, crocheted Christmas puddings and miniature knitted mittens. Having oversplurged on decorations in previous years, this year’s budget for new festive goodies is close to zero, but luckily for me these knitted versions are all very simple makes for those with a little knitting know-how.
Knitted baubles by Anniken Allis
For baubles and stars you can use a pre-made base - spun paper or polystyrene shapes start from as little as 5p - or alternatively you can stuff your shapes with oddments of cheap knitting yarn. Baubles are most easily made in the round on double pointed needles. To create the spherical baubles shape you need to start with a small number of stitches that’s divisible by four and divide equally over your four needles. After doing a couple of foundation rows, work m1 increases at both ends of each of your four needles on every other row (you’ll probably not have enough stitches to do this on the first increase row so just work one increase) until your knitting is the same circumference as the widest part of your bauble. Work a few rows without shaping and then start decreasing in the same way you increased, working one at each end of every needle on alternate rows until you are down to the same number of stitches you began with (if you’re working with a foam shape you’ll need to insert it before the opening gets too small! Otherwise, stuff after your last row before fastening off, then cut the yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches to close the gap). If you want to add motifs, chart them out so that they fit between the increases and decreases. Alternatively you can darn them on afterwards using the Swiss darning method of working over the top of the knitted stitches.
For star decorations you can simply knit ten identical diamond shapes using increases and decreases to create the shape, then join pairs back to back to make five arms and stitch them all together in the centre. Decorative variations could be stripes, beading and embroidery.
A crocheted Christmas pudding is a fun additional to a tree and spherical shapes are easy to create in crochet. If you have ever made an amigurumi character then you’ll be familiar with the method! If not then it’s quite possible to create a spherical shape just by making a tube and cinching in the top and bottom edges with plenty of stuffing in the middle. Decorate with a crocheted circle of icing, add holly leaves cut from felt and ruby red beads as berries.
Miniature mittens are admittedly a bit trickier than the other makes here but you can always do what a friend of mine did and cheat! Knit a simple mitten shape with a gap for the thumb and then stitch a simple knitted thumb on afterwards. You can have them done in an evening so there’s plenty of time before the big day. And it’s not every day you can find an activity that will entertain the kids, costs very little and is also the height of fashion!
Happy knitting! Sarah Neal (Editor, Let's Knit Magazine - www.letsknit.co.uk/).
Are You Choosing the Right Fabric?
Creating something at home can be a real challenge, but for a lot of people, making your own clothing and upholstery can be a real source of enjoyment and relaxation. Getting your knitting needles out and making a loved one a new winter scarf, or designing your own curtains, there are so many different things you can do. But are you using the right fabric in your creations, and are you getting the right amount? After all, you don’t want to go through all that effort only to find that you’ve used the wrong material or that you’re half a foot short.
Just like when you bake a cake, you want to ensure you have all the ingredients before you start, otherwise you get halfway through and realise you’re missing a key part – disaster. At Abakhan we specialise in providing everything you need to make whatever it is you’ve set your heart on creating, then it’s down to you to get the right amount and the correct materials. Choosing the right, or wrong fabric can make or break your creation, so taking your time over your choice and doing your research will really pay dividends.
Taking curtains as an example, it makes sense to measure the area where you plan to hang them, both horizontally and vertically, to make sure that you know exactly how far down the wall they’re likely to hang, and whether or not the amount you choose is going to cover the whole window.
Once you’ve established how much you need to make your new curtains, you need to decide on the material you’re going to use. With so many options out there, from linen to velvet and cotton to satin, sometimes you just never know what to use until you’ve got it wrong once or twice. However, when you get it right, the final result can be fantastic, and creating your own can save you huge sums of money that you would have spent in a store.
Finding a way of coordinating the colour of your new curtains with the room you’re putting them up in will give the room a vibrant and stylish feel, leading visitors thinking you’ve had a professional interior designer round!
To get the fabric you need for your next creation, look no further than Abakhan. With various sizes, colours and materials in stock, you’re sure to find everything you need either in one of our stores or online. To find out more, click here to find the contact details for your nearest store.
Stop the gaping on shirts with a button by Judith Turner
Diagram 1 - Gaping at bust
For those of us with generous busts, the embarrassment of a gap in our shirts around the bust area is usually fixed with a safety pin - not the best way to fix the problem! Press Studs are an option; however they usually pop at the most inconvenient time. Try this technique I came across from a uniform shirt manufacturer.
The label on the shirt said "THE WONDER BUTTON" - No gaping! Intrigued to see what this was all about, I searched for a new wonderful invention, only to find that all they had done was sew a button and buttonhole in between the buttons at the bust (but the button and buttonhole was reversed). In other words, instead of the buttonhole being on the right hand side, it was on the left, and the button was attached to the underside of the buttonhole panel.
Diagram 2 - Concealed button
It works fantastic. The button is slightly smaller, which means the buttonhole can be slightly smaller, and because of the position the section does not gap. Try it on an old shirt and see for yourself.
The button will have to be sewn on by hand, so that the fabric is not caught at the top, and for that you can use four threads rather than one.
Diagram 3
If you are looking for a book that helps you understand how to alter clothes, or would just like to learn a little bit more about altering for free, subscribe to my monthly newsletter at www.geniecentre.com. If you would like to ask me a question please email akagenie@bigpond.com
Happy altering, Judith aka genie.
Christmas & New Year store opening hours
Please note that Abakhan stores will be operating as normal during the Chrismas & New Year period, apart from the exceptions below. Saturday 24th December 2011 - All stores closed. Sunday 25th December 2011 - All stores closed. Monday 26th December 2011 - All stores closed. Tuesday 27th December 2011 - All stores 10am - 4pm (Mostyn 9:30am - 5:15pm). Saturday 31st December 2011 - All stores 9:30am - 3pm Sunday 1st January 2012 - All stores closed. Monday 2nd January 2012 - All stores 10am - 4pm (Mostyn 9:30am - 5:15pm). For store details please click hereChristmas sewing projects
Abakhan Christmas Makes
Hi, I’m Kerry and I blog at verykerryberry. In October, I was lucky enough to win a fantastic Christmas sewing competition, kindly sponsored by Abakhan and i was offered the chance to do a little write up here! I live a lot of my sewing life online and now that we are less than a month away from Christmas I thought the best thing to do would be a little round up of free tutorials from all around the sewing blog world!
So working clockwise from top left- here are the links!
1. The first is my winning competition entry- a Scandinavian Christmas Tree cushion. You can find the instructions for that here.
2. Number two is another one of mine - a mini tote, great for young children, this is a super quick project. I think it takes longer to cut out than it does to sew and you could use any design you like.
3. Next, there is a cute mini organiser designed by Leila from Where the Orchids Grow. I am making this for my daughter, a great little scrappy project.
4. Now for something perfect for the season, Christmas bunting by the uber talented UK blogger Lynne of Lily’s Quilts I could happily hang this every Christmas!
5. The next two designs are from Amy, who blogs at During Quiet Time. I never quite know how Amy manages to fit in her creative endeavours between the needs of three children and come up with beautiful designs like these, but I do know that I just have to make the Dresden bag, I need one of these!
Design 1 &
Design 2
6. Hadley of Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycleis another UK blogger who came up with this super useful tutorial for a quick and easy present entirely form your scraps. Your imagination is the limit with this key fob tutorial.
7. The final two designs are from one of my favourite bloggers. If you haven’t already come across Ayumi’s blog Pink Penguin, you are in for such a tutorial. These are just two of here fun and pretty tutorials for lovely handmake zakka gifts.
Design 1 &
Design 2
I hope you have enjoyed a little trip around the sewing blog world and now its time to get sewing, my plans are far greater than the time I have available but that is the case every year! Thanks Will for the opportunity to spend a little time over at the Abakhan blog! I only wished I loved closer to a store of Abakhan’s, I am jealous of all of you who do! Many thanks Kerry - verykerryberry
Home for Christmas - Festive furnishings by Sue Locke
There is something inviting about a home that is dressed for Christmas. And whether you are having an intimate time with just a few friends or a large gathering, some festive touches will certainly help to set the scene. Here are a few suggestions that you might like to try.
The hallway
This is the first area that your guests will see so it’s worth taking the time to make it look attractive. If you have a spindle staircase you could wind lengths of different coloured ribbon around the poles. Use bright red and gold together and finish each one with a fancy bow. Create a low light in the hall with a lamp that has a fabric shade & if you pick an inexpensive red cloth one you can then add some handmade fabric flowers made from coiling lengths of leftover ribbon. If you have a hall table with a vase of Christmas flowers then make a pretty quilted mat - you can do this by simply sewing two circles of red curtain fabric and some wadding together (about the size of a dinner plate) remembering to leave an opening. Turn your mat to the right side, close up the opening and create a quilt pattern with the straight stitch on your machine.
The dining room
Traditionally this is the room that everyone expects will boast some colour at Christmas. If you have the time you could make some fresh seat cushions. Use foam seat pads and make some covers in a pretty tartan fabric. When your table is not in use you can decorate it with a runner (see the instructions below). You can co-ordinate the runner with your chairs by using a plain red cloth and finishing it with gold tassels and ribbon.
Festive place mats are quick and easy to make and will instantly give your table a facelift. For each one cut two rectangles in plain fabric and wadding, pin all the surfaces together with the right sides of the fabric facing outwards & then cover the outer raw edges with binding in a contrasting colour - finish by hand sewing the initials of each guest in the corner.
The sitting room
To make your sitting room cosy add in some fur fabric throws - they are practical and stylish. Either buy ready-made ones or make your own to fit the exact size of furniture. Add some colour to your soft seating areas with some Christmas cushions. Either buy or make some plain coloured covers, then, using machine embroidery with a hoop , try some free stitching working with a contrasting thread. You may like to practice on some scrap fabric first.
A child’s bedroom
Every child wants their room to look magical at Christmas. Start by making some bunting with them. First, using Christmas biscuit cutters, trace out some shapes on felt then cut them out. Take a long length of red ribbon and glue the felt shapes at intervals all the way along the strip. Make sure you leave enough room at each end of the ribbon to tie it up.
You could also make a fabric advent wall hanging. First cut a large rectangle in stiff cardboard then cover it with plain fabric using glue. Cut out 25 small squares in red and green felt. Arrange the squares on the fabric and make pockets by gluing three of the sides in place. Edge the board with narrow gold ribbon and finish by slipping a small chocolate into each pocket. Make a pretty bed cover by using a large rectangle of plain dark blue fleece. Finish the edges with machining. Draw out a crescent moon shape and cut it out in yellow felt. Then cut out a number of differently sized stars in white felt and glue them to the throw.
Top tips for Christmas styling
1. Using a colour theme is a great way to give your handmade furnishings more impact.
2. Items such as covered seat pads and throws, made in plain colours or tartan, can be used even after Christmas has finished.
3. This is a great time of year to get your children interested in sewing and crafts so involve them in some of your simple projects.
4. Start your furnishing pieces early so they’ll be completed before your gift buying.
5. If you want some Christmas templates use biscuit cutters or images from children’s colouring books.
How to make a Christmas table runner
MATERIALS
To find the quantity you need, measure the length of your table and then add a drop to each end. Then decide how wide you want your runner to be. Add a seam allowance to both of these measurements . Choose a firm cotton fabric or linen.
50cm of Christmas novelty fabric, featuring small motifs such as Christmas trees, snowmen etc
Firm iron-on interfacing
2 gold Tassels
Narrow gold ribbon
STEPS TO SEW
1. Make a paper pattern to the size you require your runner to be. Then create a point at each end.
2. Lay your pattern on your fabric and cut out twice.
3. With right sides facing stitch the pieces together leaving an opening.
4. Trim the seams and around the pointed ends and turn runner to right side.
5. Close the opening with hand stitching.
6. Take your gold ribbon and pin it to one side of your runner 2cms in from the finished edge. Machine it in place.
7. Cut out your Christmas motifs and iron interfacing to the wrong side. Position your motifs on your runner (equal distances apart). Then using a small zig-zag stitch work round the edges to hold them in place. Don’t forget to keep your needle down but lift your presser foot as you turn each corner.
8. Hand sew tassels to each pointed end to finish.
Sue Locke is a freelance writer and designer. She writes the monthly style pages for Sewing World magazine and designs fashion accessories. For more information or advice please contact Sue Locke - Click here to view Sue’s website.
Charity Shop: Sewing With A Difference
One of the hallmarks of most town centres is that there will be at least one street on which the charity shops are based – usually four or five of them in a row. However, one particular shop is setting themselves apart – and is using the magic of haberdashery to do so! The Birdcage in Skipton has been the focus of an article in the Yorkshire Post, and it’s easy to see why. As well as the usual bric-a-brac you’d expect to see in any charity shop, there are also a variety of sewing machines, knitting wool, a dress-maker’s dummy and many other knitting and sewing accessories. Behind Closed Doors, the Leeds Charity who are responsible for the birdcage, are keen to point out that the difference between their project and other charity shops is entirely intentional. Louise Tyne, Behind Closed Door’s manager said that: We don’t want to be just any other charity shop on the high street. It’s about harnessing the creative skills in the local community and giving people an opportunity to express themselves creatively; and also to share their skills and their experiences.’ ‘As an organisation we recognise the need to be sustainable and to generate income but we wanted to do it in such a way that the actual enterprise itself had a purpose so it’s not a typical charity shop.’ The aim of the community enterprise is to raise funds for those who have suffered from domestic violence. Needless to say, we here at Abakhan applaud using such a wonderful hobby for such a great cause. Good on them! To view our wide range of knitting accessories , click the link here .A Stitch in Time by Laura Cruickshank (Editor of Sew Magazine)
The night's have drawn in and the To Do list is starting to fill up with all manner of tasks for the festive season. Whilst I daydream of spend chilly winter afternoon's sitting in front of a log fire, supping hot chocolate and delicately hand quilting a fabulous throw, somehow this never seems to fit in with the reality of my busy daily schedule.
Like many creative folks, I find the process of stitching just as enjoyable and rewarding as the finished piece – so, how do you manage to find the time to fit in a creative hobby in amongst work, feeding the family, grocery shopping and walking the dog?
It seems to me that during the busy winter months, when we all feel as though we are pulled in a million different directions at once, while we'd love to create large scale heirloom projects, it is often more realistic to work on something a little smaller or certainly more portable than that king size quilt!
I began pondering what new sewing project I could work on, something that could be fitted around my busy day – or even better, one that fitted into my handbag. I was looking for something that can be picked up during a quite five minutes, that I could carry around with me or that didn't require sitting up in my sewing room, away from that roaring log fire. Then it came to me - why not try some needlepoint?
With so many beautiful options from including ready-to-stitch cross stitch kits, a large scale tapestry design or work up a few embroidery motifs I was really spoilt for choice. For me, needlepoint projects are fantastic for getting that stitching fix during busy times. My top tip to maximising your sewing time is to keep your work in progress stowed in a work basket by the side of the sofa or carry it around with you in your favourite crafty tote bag, so you can dip into it whenever you have a few minutes to spare. By keeping these portable projects at your fingertips, you will be amazed at how quickly your make will progress by simply picking it up when you get the chance and working a few stitches.
With the end of my first cross stitch of the winter season in sight, I'm already looking for my next needlepoint project! What designs, kits and motifs are keep your creative juices flowing this wintertime?
Happy Stitching! Laura Cruickshank (Editor, Sew Magazine - www.sewmag.co.uk).
Dressmaking Courses: What To Expect
If you’re trying to decide whether it’s worth you investing in a dressmaking course (and it isn’t a decision you should take lightly), there are many things that you should consider. Hopefully our run-down on the things you can expect will help you decide whether it’s the right investment for you: Firstly, you should definitely expect to spend some time working with a sewing machine, so if the idea rather alarms you, either consider yourself warned or don’t attend the course! Sewing machine skills are essential when it comes to creating dresses (doing so by hand would take ages), so don’t be surprised when you walk into a room full of them! You’ll also be getting involved in designing a range of different types of dresses, so if you’ve only ever created dresses of a specific kind before, be prepared to get a bit out of your comfort zone. Obviously, once you’re used to it you’ll be a far better dressmaker than you started, so it’s well worth the effort. Also, if you’ve never really done much fabric work before, be prepared to work with quite a wide variety of kit, including fabric scissors, pins, needles, thread and the like. Obviously it’s likely you’ll have carried out some form of needlework before, but just in case you haven’t – be prepared! To find out more about dressmaking courses, give Abakhan a call.Do It Yourself: How Dressmaking Courses Can Benefit You
There can’t be many more interesting ways to spend an evening than by working on a dress that’s entirely your own creation. After all, that’s how all of the greatest fashion designers started! However, if you’ve never really tried out any dressmaking courses before, you might be unsure about how they can benefit you. Well, read on, and we’ll tell you! It’ll mean you can share your creativity and become inspired. Whilst the technical side of dressmaking is without doubt important (it’s only a dream until it’s made!), it’s nothing without that spark of ingenuity that creates the design itself. Being around others with a passion for dressmaking will further ignite your passion for this unique skill. It’ll teach you the technical skills you need. Alright, this is sort of a contradiction with the above, but we promise it makes sense! Just as technicality without inspiration can be unvaried, creativity without technicality can be rather messy! A good tutor will be able to help you improve your existing technique as well as learning new ones, making you a more confident dressmaker all round. Finally, whilst it might not be a haberdashery reason as such, it’s a great way to meet people who have the same passion for fashion and creativity that you do. Dressmaking courses are taught by people who love what they do, and taught to people who love what they do. Get involved, and you won’t regret it. To find out more about how dressmaking courses can benefit you, get in contact with Abakhan now.Specified delivery time
Dear Sir, I have just recieved my order at the specified time of deliivery. I should just like to thank you for a very polite and proffessional service. Mrs J-roberts.
15th November 2011
Clothing Alteration Secrets Revealed
If only we could walk into any store and buy off the rack, having the garment fit our body shape without any adjustment necessary. The reality is that we are all different body shapes and that means all off the rack garments are not going to fit. But it does not mean that the garment cannot be altered to fit your body shape.
Successful clothing alterations comes from pinning the garment correctly, preparing the garment so that it can be sewn in the exact position it was pinned and finally sewing the garment, then putting it all back together.
If a garment is loose fitting and does not need to be fitted over the body either at the upper body, waist or lower body, then guessing how much to take it in can work. But when you get into the area of taking a garment in over the bust, under the arm, waist or hip then accuracy is extremely important. And that means accuracy in the pinning, preparing and sewing. Which is where the book 'Clothing Alteration Secrets Revealed' comes in.
Successful clothing alteration is only achieved by following a technique that allows for 100% accuracy each time. This is how I can have many people working in my clothing alteration shops, with each person could work on a different task, whilst using the same method. Any person can pin the garment and prepare the garment, because it was prepared the same way and finally anyone could sew the garment, because the same method was used for everyone.
The most common mistake in clothing alteration shops is allowing each person to guess on how it will be altered and "letting them loose" on someone's clothes. The horror stories of how a garment had been destroyed because someone "tried" to alter it without fully understanding what they were doing.
If you are looking for a book that helps you understand how to alter clothes, or would just like to learn a little bit more about altering for free, subscribe to my monthly newsletter at www.geniecentre.com. If you would like to ask me a question please email akagenie@bigpond.com
Happy altering, Judith aka genie.
Take a Dressmaking Course with Abakhan
Having the ability to design and create clothes is not only a skill but an art. It is many a females’ dream to be able to have a perfect, one of a kind dress that is unique to her and no one else. Now with Abakhan , you can make that dream a reality with our avant-garde, creative and inspirational dressmaking courses
With Christmas and the party season fast approaching, what better way to attend an occasion but with a one of a kind dress. Or if dressmaking is not your cup of tea, but you have a friend or family member who is a budding fashionista, then why not buy one our bespoke dressmaking courses for a loved one this Christmas?
With a variety of courses available from our beginner, intermediate and advanced courses to our ‘Tips and Trim’s’ course that predominantly focuses on a variety of techniques, there is a dressmaking courses for any female no matter her age or ability.
Why not turn your hobby into professional status with our ‘Hobby to Professional’ dressmaking course? The ‘Little Black Dress’ course is a fabulous experience for any female determined to make her own ‘little black dress’. Is there a little girl in your life who you know would love nothing more than to look like a princess? Then why not attend our ‘Little Girls Party Dress’ course and turn a dream into a reality.
Our inspiring dressmaking courses range from £25+ and are available at a variety of locations on a number of different dates. Buy today, and no matter your level in dressmaking, you will be provided with the very best skills and knowledge to create the perfect, one of a kind, fabricated dress.
For more information on any of our courses, contact Abakhan by calling 01745 562 100, or pop into your local branch. Click here to find yours.
Making a fascinator is “allsorts” of fun! By Vicky Sowerby
Hello again, I hope you’re all OK and having fun with your sewing projects. For this week’s blog post I thought I’d tell you about a fun fascinator headband I made for the Ascot Ladies Day I attend. Every year my friends and I get all dolled up and go to a local hotel to coif champagne, have a bet on the races and enjoy a lovely meal. Obviously in previous years I spend a lot of time hunting for the perfect outfit but with my no shopping rules I made my outfit this year. I spotted this fabulous liquorice allsorts fabric on line and knew it would be perfect for me. I made my dress using Vogue pattern V8667. The beauty of making your own dress is that you can then make matching accessories with your spare material. This headband was really easy to make so let me tell you more about how I did it.
I picked up a cheap plain hairband and covered it in the same fabric as my dress. To make the main part of the fascinator I cut out two very large circles, one of the liquorice allsorts fabric and the other of shocking pink chiffon, I layered the chiffon over the allsorts fabric and then ran large stitches round the edge of the circle. Before pulling the stitches tight I placed some wadding in the centre thus giving it some height. What you end up with when you’ve pulled the stitches tight is something called a fabric yo yo and there are lots of online instructions for this but I first saw it on Heather Bailey’s site, click here to see the tutorial. I placed a slightly smaller yo yo made out of just the liquorice allsorts fabric on top and then before glue gunning the yo yos to the headband I gathered some gorgeous turquoise netting and placed it in between. The netting is basically a long strip folded in half and then a running stitch along the edge pulled tight. I couldn’t resist topping it off with some real liquorice allsorts but you wouldn’t believe how many I had to eat to get the blue and pink ones!
I really love making fascinators and headbands, why not check out some of my other projects on the crafting section of my website.
Thanks for your lovely comments on my last post, I love hearing what you think of my posts so don’t be shy….leave me a comment. See you all soon! Vicky
How to make a 'Vintage Lace Scarf' by Sue Locke
Materials
18 cm x 148 cm piece of white lace and white chiffon (for lining)
1 ½ m of white lace trimming
Honey coloured beads
Small quantity of velvet
Steps to sew
1. With the right sides together bring your lace and lining strips together. Machine all the way round leaving a small opening.
2. Turn scarf to the correct side and close opening with hand stitches then press lightly.
3. Machine or hand-sew the lace trim all the way round the scarf.
4. To create a sepia colour (that will look vintage), make a dye solution from tea bags and hot water. Test the dye by dropping a scrap of lace trimming into the dye and leaving it there until you have achieved the depth of colour you require. Now soak your scarf.
5. Gently squeeze out all the water and roll in a towel to remove further moisture.
6. Leave the scarf to dry.
7. Using purchased beads (or those from discarded jewellery), sew them on each end of your scarf & finish by making and adding small velvet flowers.
Sewing tip - You can colour-match your scarf to your dress by using a commercial dye.
Sue Locke is a freelance writer and designer. She writes the monthly style pages for Sewing World magazine and designs fashion accessories. For more information or advice please contact Sue Locke - Click here to view Sue’s website.
TOP TIPS for dressing up by Sue Locke
The party season is almost here so what do you choose to make? Do you opt for something understated and simple or do you push the boat out and shimmer in sequins ? The truth is that it all depends on the type of event you are attending.
After work.
In many ways this is the hardest event to dress for because you have so little time to get ready. If you are meeting in a restaurant or bar you don’t necessarily want to arrive in your day clothes. A simple solution is to wear a dark suit to the office and simply change your top. The ideal fabric is one that requires no ironing so look at a pattern like Simplicity 2022 for stretch fabrics. A piece of Lycra in a stunning colour is the perfect backdrop for some embellishment. Finish your edges with strips of co-ordinating sequins. Alternatively use some sequin stretch fabric. If you use a tote on the day of your event you’ll be able to bring along some glamorous shoes and pretty jewellery.
The big event.
Part of the fun of Christmas is having the opportunity to really dress up. If you have an invitation to a ball or formal gathering do you wear long or short? To be on the safe side check the dress code with the organisers. If it’s a long dress then choose something soft with movement such as Simplicity 2253. Liquid Satin is a wonderful cloth and if you keep the dress simple you can really go to town with an over-sized necklace and a cuff - for the finishing touch use a 2011 catwalk favourite and sew a faux fur cape. If your invitation states that you should wear a cocktail dress then a little black dress is the perfect solution. Keep it simple and add a feathered neckline, or slip a black lace bolero over the top. If you use a panelled dress then make your back panels and sleeves in lace or simply throw on a vintage-style scarf (see instructions in my other blog 'How to make a vintage lace scarf').
A family affair.
Traditionally this is the time when families get together so it’s quite likely you’ll be attending a family meal during the Christmas period. If you are helping in the kitchen, or you have small children, then you’ll need a garment that is easy to wash. Pattern wise try this young design by Simplicity 2245 and work it in a polyester print. Animal prints are big news this season so look at the Abakhan selection to help you make your choice or alternatively have fun with cottons and use a plain and printed one together. For accessories try adding on a novelty vintage brooch or several strands of vintage glass beads.
Dancing the night away.
If you are going to spend the night on the dance floor then why not go for some sparkle? This one-shoulder design by Simplicity 2178 would look stunning sewn in a metallic or lame fabric possibly in silver or gold. If you decide to use a high impact material then you will need to keep your accessories simple or it will be a case of too much of a good thing. A strappy black shoe with a plain black clutch will add just the right amount of contrast.
TOP TIPS for dressing up
1. A beautiful dress needs to fit perfectly so make the time to sew a toile first.
2. If you make that designer favourite the little black dress, then remember to add a personal touch. This can be an unusual trim or a piece of stand-out jewellery or a beautiful scarf.
3. To make a fashionable long dress choose a fabric that is soft and silky.
4. If you prefer separates to dresses then make a tuxedo jacket and team it with narrow black trousers.
5. Never top a beautiful evening dress with any old coat. Take the time to make an easy poncho or cape in a luxury wool cloth.
Sue Locke is a freelance writer and designer. She writes the monthly style pages for Sewing World magazine and designs fashion accessories. For more information or advice please contact Sue Locke - Click here to view Sue’s website.
Take part in a national public art and craft project called Flock
How many sheep make up a flock? For Eden Arts the answer is thousands. An arts development organisation based in Eden, Cumbria has launched a public art project designed to encourage creativity and collaboration while raising awareness of sheep farming and the wool industry. Inspired by artworks such as Antony Gormley’s ‘Field for the British Isles’, Eden Arts is inviting the public to contribute to a series of art installations, which will be made up of thousands of pom-pom sheep. Participants are encouraged to show their support for the wool industry by making their sheep using sheep’s wool.
The project is already taking off with schools across Cumbria starting the production chain, many enrolling the help of their local community. Workshops, demonstrations and lessons of the subject have also taken place, encouraging participants to understand the value of real wool and the industry as a whole. Schools, groups, organisations and individuals throughout the country and beyond are now being invited to take part in the project, by sending in their sheep and uploading their images onto the Join the FLOCK” Facebook page.
The culmination of FLOCK will take place in spring 2012 with a large-scale national FLOCK installation alongside supporting events, workshops and demonstrations.
Sheep making kits are available to download and more information is available from vwww.jointheflock.co.uk . For information on Eden Arts, visit www.edenarts.co.uk.
Click here to download the 'Sheep Making Kit'.
Sewing with fleece fabric - Lorna’s Top Tips
Fleece fabric is a synthetic material that is popular for jackets, warm tops and blankets. It is light weight, comfortable to wear and easy to wash & dry making it a practical choice in cold weather. Fleece is available in a wide range of bright colours and there are some super novelty prints too. Here are our top tips for handling fleece and getting great results.
1. Work out which is the correct side before you start and if necessary, use chalk or pieces of masking tape to mark the wrong side to ensure you don’t mix the right and wrong sides by mistake.
2. Fleece has a ‘direction’ and may look darker or lighter depending on how the light catches it, so make sure all the pattern pieces are placed in the same direction.
3. When cutting out fleece, pin the paper pattern to the fabric with long pins with coloured heads. These will hold everything in place and the pins won’t get lost amongst the fleecy pile.
4. Use a standard or a stretch needle in a size 11 unless the fabric is very dense when you might be better to choose a size 14. Good quality polyester thread is the best type to use, and increase the stitch length to 3mm or use a long stretch stitch if your sewing machine has one.
5. Overlockers are great machines for sewing fleece as they cope really well with the stretch of the fabric and don’t cause seams or hems to ripple like a sewing machine might. If you have a walking foot or a roller foot, fit either of these to your sewing machine to prevent the seams from stretching while you sew.
6. When sewing a zip into a fleece jacket place strips of sew-in interfacing under the seam allowances to support the zip tape as you sew. The interfacing strips will be hidden within the seam allowance and they will help to prevent a wavy effect from occurring.
7. If you don’t want to use a zip, buy snaps and poppers which are clamped in place rather than sewn to the fabric. Put a piece of sew-in interfacing inside the seam allowance to anchor the snaps.
8. Use ‘finger pressing’ rather than an iron to flatten seams and hems as the heat will damage the fleece.
9. For a manufactured looking hem, pin up the required hem and stitch from the right side with a 4mm stretch, twin-needle. Once sewn, turn over and trim the excess seam allowance up to the stitching. The two parallel rows of stitching give a finish which looks like a cover stitched hem from the front and the bobbin thread neatens the wrong side nicely.
10. Take a look at the many sewing patterns available for clothes and craft items using fleece and have a go to see just how easy it is to get great results.
For more information or sewing advice please contact Lorna Knight - Click here to view Lorna’s website.
Email to confirm
Dear all, I would like to congradulate you on your delivery service and especially the email to confirm, which gives the customer time to re-arrange if not convienient.... well done for a very good service. Order date 28/10/2011 & delivery date 2/11/2011 (within the time stated on the email).
regards, l.dorricott, 3rd November 2011
The lengths are good and the quality great
Received parcel on due date and I am delighted with it. The lengths are good and the quality great. I will be ordering again in the future.
J Many thanks - Maggie 4th November 2011
'Make do not spend' challenge
Hi I’m Vicky, I’ve been blogging via my Make Do Not Spend Challenge at www.sewabee.co.uk for nearly a year & Abakhan have now invited me to blog on their website. On December 1st 2010 I vowed to buy no new clothes or accessories and wear a different outfit every day for a whole year. The only concession I allowed myself is that I can buy material and make clothes to augment my existing wardrobe. Since I started sewing three years ago, Abakhan in Manchester has been one of my regular haunts and over the course of my blogs I’d like to share with you the items I have made using their range of fabrics. One pattern – two different looks
This Simplicity pattern (3833) is a classic shift dress in a 1960’s retro style. I first made this dress in February with teal and brown leopard print material, leopard print is a classic in my book and I have it in a wide range of colours. I love the colour teal and again I had a lot of pieces in my wardrobe that would tone in with the material. In this photo I have teamed it with teal leggings from Florence and Fred and a brown leather jacket from Warehouse. I have also worn it with brown leggings and a fur shrug, changing the overall look of the outfit is in keeping with my challenge and also means that I can wear dresses more than once.
When I was at Abakhan over the summer, I fell in love with this gorgeous electric blue and silver material - I wasn’t sure what I was going to make with it but I knew I had to have it. As you can see from the photo I had the perfect tights and shoes to go with it! The more I thought about it the more I felt the style of the dress had to be quite plain in order to show the material off and let it speak for itself. So when I went back to my sewing class in September this was my first project. I opted for the short sleeved version of the dress and I think the pattern really suits the material.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my first blog for Abakhan, please let me know what you think about the dresses I’ve made and why not keep up to date with my ‘Make Do Not Spend Challenge’ on my website.
Many thanks, Vicky.
Dressmaking journey
To begin your dressmaking journey you must first have the correct pattern. Regardless of what garment you want to make, we are all dictated to by the shape of our body. Many people believe that it's your size that determines what you can wear, however over the last 14 years of dressmaking I have found that it is the height of a person that really determines what looks good. As far as I'm concerned, if you are a size 6 & 6ft or a size 24 & 6ft, you can wear the same style garment as long as it's made to fit. So, if we are looking at height, what are the key factors? Well, the easiest way to help make a decision is by using a height guide, and this is the way I use to help get me started when I am making a new dress for someone.
5ft 4 inches and below.
Unfortunately, those of us who are short are the most limited as to what you can wear. You really don't want to break up the body in any obvious ways - stay away from waist dresses, or high waist trousers and instead go towards the empire line or princess seams as these lengthen the body. For trousers, stay away from wide legs and go for the bootleg or straight leg. What you are trying to achieve is to make the eye believe that the body is longer than it is and with shorter figures the only way this can be done is by making the legs seem as long as possible.
5ft 4 inches to 5ft 8 inches.
This is probably the most difficult height, as they are neither small nor tall. The best way to work out the height is to look at the length of the leg. If a person has long legs, then they can probably wear the same sort of items as a taller person - as the legs are long it gives the eye the sense of height. However, if the body is long and the legs short then you really should stay within the smaller rules - avoid breaking up the body as again this can make the legs even shorter.
5ft 9 inches and above.
Well ladies, this height can wear pretty much anything they like. The only piece of advice I can give you is to make sure that the pattern is long enough for you. Check out the measurement guide that is coming with the next issue.
Remember, dressmaking is not an exact art form and these guides are only a starting point. There are many factors to consider when getting the right style for the body and the above are just the start. I will talk more about what parts of the body need to be watched and looked at in my next 'measurement issue', where we'll look more in depth into the question of the perfect fit. I hope my take on dressmaking is proving helpful, any questions or queries don't hesitate to ask on our Facebook page.
Regards Corrie Robinson
Click here to view Corrie Robinsons' website.
Received with thanks
Received with thanks on the date and time you said will defo use you again thank you!!
J Reay, Saturday Oct 8, 2011 .
Making Halloween Costumes - Lorna’s Top Tips
It’s that time of year again when your little loved one wants to dress up as a devil, a ghost or even a pumpkin! Here is our guide to choosing and making Halloween costumes:
Halloween Patterns - Simplicity Patterns have a great range of dressing up costumes to choose from including vampires, pumpkins and witches for a typical Halloween themed outfit. Take a look and see what you can find. There are plenty of adult sized costumes too!
Make your own Pattern - If you cannot find a suitable pattern or do not feel you have the experience to follow the instructions it is amazing what you can do with a bit of imagination and a length of fabric. Get your little loved one to lie on the floor, with their arms out, on an old newspaper and draw round them to make a pattern in a large ‘T’ shape. Cut this out on folded fabric then make a hole for the head and you have an instant tunic ready to decorate. Use this shape in black or purple for a witch or wizard, green for Robin Hood and orange for a pumpkin varying the tunic length as required.
Adding decoration - Apply cut out shapes to embellish your costume to improve the effect using Bondaweb or fabric glue to stick them on. Add stars to a wizard’s cloak and spiders for a creepy effect on a witch’s hat. You could even cut out white bone shapes and stick them to an old black T-shirt and leggings to make into a little skeleton. For a pumpkin, cut a large, round, orange tunic and sew up the edges. Glue on black triangles for the eyes and nose and a long jagged shape for the mouth. Stuff this with cushions to improve the shape. The simplest idea of all is a square of white fabric with spooky eyes and mouth stuck in place to make a ghost!
Props and Makeup - Finish your Halloween costume with the right props for a perfect look. A witch isn’t a witch without a pointed hat and broom or a devil without a trident. Don’t forget the face paints to add gory scars and bruises.
Sewing Shortcuts for Beginners - If you are not a confident sewer don’t let this put you off just choose fabric that doesn’t fray, or cut out with pinking shears to save the trouble of sewing hems. Just select the right colour of fabric to work with and add the most appropriate props and your little loved one will be delighted by your efforts!
For more information or sewing advice please contact Lorna Knight - Click here to view Lorna’s website.
Concept of fabric shopping by weight
Hi Abakhan Fabrics, I was born and brought up in Liverpool. My Mum introduced me to El KILO about 30 years ago. Myself and a friend recently travelled 250 miles to shop and introduce my friend to the concept of fabric shopping by weight! She was very impressed with the quality and the price of your goods.
Many Thanks, Sheila Meek.
Belfast Lord Mayor Knitting A Yarn!
At Abakhan, we’re always happy to hear about knitting bringing people together. That’s why the latest news from Belfast rather made us smile. whilst the Lord Mayor there might not seem like a natural with the needles, he was happy to get involved at the Lord Mayor’s Parlour last week. Mayor Niall O Donnghaile was talking to some of the ladies who were in Northern Ireland as part of their retreat that tours all over the country, aiming to get some knitting done in some of Ireland’s most famous spots. Other destinations include Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. The trip was conceived by the Lisburn designer Maggie Jackson, who is now based in Michigan, where she shares the benefit of her 34 years in the fashion industry with others hoping to learn this great old tradition. Mr O Donnghaile, though happy to chip in, was happy to admit that he hadn’t quite inherited his own grandmother’s crochet skills, and ended up conceding defeat to knitting and purling, deciding instead to sit and chat to the members of the group, commenting that he tended ‘not to be any good’ at things that involve hand-eye co-ordination. Commenting on the group’s aims, Ms Jackson noted that it was ‘about the history of Northern Ireland’ and that she aimed to bring others to her homeland. To view more of the latest news from the world of knitting, and to purchase knitting supplies at great prices, continue to check into Abakhan over the coming weeks.Mostyn (North Wales store)
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your store in Mostyn, North Wales. I wish you had one here in N Ireland.
Thank you, A. O'Hale
What is Dressmaking?
Dressmaking is an art - I guess in this day and age, many people just think that a garment is mechanically made in a warehouse somewhere in China, and to be fair a lot of it i.! But there are still a number of us who hand craft garments with a lot of care and a little love and there is nothing quite like the feeling of satisfaction in finishing a piece and knowing that it is yours. If we think about it, this art is probably one of the oldest, dating back to the start of the human race, we've always needed to keep warm and we've done that by creating some form of clothing, although I think these days we worry more about fashion than warmth! (Take a look in around on a Saturday night!)But I'm jumping a head - before we get to enjoy a finished item, we have the pleasure of taking all the steps to get there. You can make it as easy or as advanced as you wish but every dressmaking project must still follow the rules. Next time we'll begin the steps, starting with the choice of pattern to suit your body shape, so stayed tuned and you'll soon have all the skills to make fabulous garments.
Regards Corrie Robinson Click here to view Corrie Robinsons' website.Fleece and Fur From Abakhan
If you’re always looking for great ways to save yourself money, then there’s no denying the value in creating your own curtains, costumes and the like. Abakhan’s range of fleece, fur and other knitting accessories will enable you to harness your creativity. Print fleece tartan. If you’re of Scottish descent (or simply need a kilt for a costume!), then our printed tartan fleece material is ideal. Created using the finest materials and with a stylish, unique design, this superb fleece is a perfect excuse to get creating. Leopard brown micro fleece. If there’s anything more fun than heading out onto town to an eighties club, we don’t know what it is! Our leopard print material is the ideal way to create a costume that wouldn’t look out of place in one of the Austin Powers films. Eye-grabbing and one-of-a-kind. Plain Colours. Whilst the above patterns are great for individual needs, you’re not going to need leopard print regularly! Our range of plain colours make the ideal material for any need, whether you want to knock up a new bean-bag for your kids or simply want something warm to wear over the winter. Click here to view our catalogue, complete with a variety of other knitting accessories.Craft Essentials From Abakhan
If you know someone who’s a big enthusiast of haberdashery in all it’s forms, you might be interested to hear about the potential gifts that can be purchased for them through the Abakhan catalogue, whether they’re a knitter or a sewer. If the only time you get to work on your sewing is when all the kids (and possibly the husband too!) have gone to bed, you’ll likely be grateful for the Maglamp. Complete with an energy saving bulb, it’s the ideal way to obtain the maximum visibility whilst you work. Whilst sewing and knitting are both rewarding hobbies, there’s no denying that they can be fiddly. The hands-free magnifier that you can buy here is the ideal solution, offering you a more in-depth view of what your hands are doing, making those complicated patterns a breeze. The Stitchmaster Seat Stand is the ideal investment for anyone that wants an easy way to support their work, with the mobility and quality that comes from genuine craftsmanship. Enabling you to work from a variety of different angles, it’s a great investment. To view these and more sewing accessories, visit the Abakhan catalogue here .Cancelled demonstrations
Please note that the following demonstrations have been cancelled.
Saturday 24th September, Hanley, Hats & Bags Demonstration with Suzanne Bates, 1pm - 4pm.
Saturday 24th September, Manchester, Fabric Jewellery Demonstration with Claire Bates, 1pm - 4pm.
Saturday 24th September, Liverpool, Crochet & Knitting Loom Demonstration with Gwyneth Povey, 1pm - 4pm.
Saturday 1st October, Chester, Crochet & Knitting Loom Demonstration with Gwyneth Povey, 1pm - 4pm.
Saturday 8th October, Liverpool, Fabric Jewellery Demonstration with Claire Bates, 1pm - 4pm.
Saturday 15th October, Chester, Fabric Jewellery Demonstration with Claire Bates, 1pm - 4pm.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Sewing Patterns For Men’s Clothes
Do you have a husband who is a little on the fussy side? Men are more clothes focused than they often like to admit, which can be spending more on their wardrobes than anyone who’s budget conscious should! Our sewing patterns will enable you to create great clothes for the men in your life, at a far lower price than simply buying them! Trousers and shirts. These sewing patterns are a great investment, especially when you have a young son who’s always growing out of his clothes! Rather than having to invest money at the beginning of every school term, you can instead spend your time modifying and creating new clothes with existing materials. The far cheaper option! Vests and Ties. There’s nothing a man enjoys more than dressing up to look his very best (well, apart from a good football match, obviously) which is why our sewing patterns for waistcoats and ties are a fine investment. With varying patterns and styles, you can ensure that the men in your life always look their best. Dressing robe. If you’re looking for a great present to treat the men in your life, then why not use your sewing skills to create them the perfect robe for the chilly early mornings? With winter coming up, they’ll be grateful! In a variety of different colours, there is a pattern for everyone. Click here to view more of our sewing patterns for men.Fancy Dress Sewing Costumes From Abakhan
If you’ve been invited to a fancy dress party, then you might be feeling a bit stumped as to what the ideal costume is. After all, the perfect costume is an absolute blessing, managing to be sexy and stylish all at the same time. If you want a slightly cheaper way to be the belle of the ball, then our range of stylish costume sewing patterns are the ideal choice: The Wicked Witch. With Halloween on the distant horizon, there’s no harm in beginning to plan as soon as you can. Is there a more classic costume than that of the witch? The sleek black design is a sure fire way for you to look your absolute best on the darkest night of the year. Broomstick not included! Santa’s Assistant. Do you want to look great during the festive season? Our santa’s assistant costume is glamourous and stylish. So whether you’re heading out for a night on the town or staying home and playing Santa’s assistant at home, we’ve got you covered. The Leprechaun. St Patrick’s Day never looked this good! If you love to get out on the town during St Paddy’s Day, then this costume will have all those jaunty Irishman looking in your direction! Eye-catching colours and a great fit make this a sewing masterclass. To view these and more of our sewing accessories, click here.My first order
I received my first order from you today at the exact time promised. I just wanted to say how pleased I was with the whole experience and I greatly appreciated being able to pay through Paypal. The quality of the few items I bought was outstanding, as was the price of the order.
Once again, many thanks S Kelly. Tuesday 13th September 2011
Visit to Abakhan from Scotland
I feel after being a very regular customer at your Mostyn Store for over 30 years I must comment on the pleasure I always have visiting you and the excellent cafe (especially the Prawn sandwiches,always fresh). The staff are always pleasant and obliging and go out of their way to help. I would add that after a visit with long lost relatives from Scotland in June showing them Abakhan was the highlight of their visit to Wales. (mother and three daughters all avid sewing and craft people) so much so they are back next month can't wait to return to your shop and fill the car boot once more, thought it was a 'Wonderland'. I do apologise if I have rambled on but after my latest visit at the weekend I felt I had to congragulate Abakhan for their continued value and pleasurable shopping when so many other companies have failed to retain these values.
J Walsh. Wednesday 12th September 2011
Sewing Essentials At Abakhan
Sewing can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling hobby to participate in, but if you’re someone who hasn’t really been involved in any form of haberdashery before, you might be uncertain about what you’ll need to purchase. Fortunately, we’re here to help you with our range of sewing accessories. Scissors. Needless to say, anyone looking to get involved in sewing will need a really good pair of scissors. From marking, measuring and obviously cutting, a good pair is almost a Swiss army knife when it comes to the world of sewing. We sell a variety of scissors at Abakhan, so take your pick! Pins and Needless. Don’t worry – we’re not talking about that rather painful infliction that occurs when your foot goes to sleep! Needles and pins are essential for sewing, as they hold the fabric together whilst you sew – you won’t have enough fingers to do so yourself! Machine Accessories. A sewing machine can be one of the most efficient ways of getting a job done quickly once you’re used to using one. However, as with any machine it requires some extra attention, and our range of accessories are ideal. Form oil to keep the wheels greased to a new bulb for those late-night sessions, we have everything you’ll need to keep your machine in top running order. To view these, visit the Abakhan catalogue here .Pet Accessories From Abakhan
If you’re someone who just can’t resist spoiling your pets, then you’ll be pleased to know that we here at Abakhan are now stocking a wide range of pet accessories that can help you create something that your four-legged friend will treasure for the rest of their lives. If you’ve got a lovely pooch that tends to feel the cold, then our range of patterns for stylish and sophisticated dog coats would make a great present. With the winter coming up, now is a great time for you to create a piece of clothing that will really help your pets keep the chill away. Another great gift idea that you could put together for your beds is to create their beds virtually from scratch, using another one of our patterns. We offer a variety of different dog beds, from larger black ones to more subtle pink designs, so that whatever style your four-legged friend has, we’ll have something to suit them. It’s not just coats and beds, however. We also stock a range of different patterns for hats, scarves and even gloves so that with the frost and snow that is likely to appear over the next few months, your pets will be able to stay nice and protected. To view these and more of our pet accessories, visit the Abakhan catalogue here .Workshop - Use of the Sewing Machine
Felt that I had to let you know how much I enjoyed the Workshop I recently attended on the use of your Sewing Machine on Tuesday 6th September at Mostyn, The Tutor was very good, and is a credit to your Tutoring Staff. She was very patient and spent time with each of the pupils. We had a good laugh and made to feel very welcome. I was thrilled that I had something to take home, completed, a great achievemnt for us all. Once again many thanks for a fantastic workshop.
J Henshaw. Wednesday 7th September 2011
Knitting Accessories Everybody Needs!
Knitting can be a rewarding, fulfilling and entertaining way to pass the long summer days (well, assuming there’s any left!). However, if you want to take up this great hobby, there are certain essential knitting accessories you’ll need to invest in, all of them available now from the Abakhan store: Fabric Comb. Wool is a wonderfully soft material when used in the right way, it’s important to ensure that any fuzzballs and pilling are removed from the material before use, and our fabric comb is the ideal way to get the job done. They’re available now for a bargain price. Needles. Whilst this might sound obvious, you won’t get very far without the right knitting needles! There are a wide variety of different knitting accessories available at Abakhan, so take the time to discover which ones work best for you from the myriad of different materials, and you can be sure that you’ll have years of satisfied knitting to come. Materials. There are a few different types of material that can be used as knitting accessories, from felt, to crochet to old fashioned yarn, and you’ll find them all available now at the Abakhan website. Again, to an extent you’ll want to experiment with the different options to see which ones work for you – but ensure that you continue to check into our site for the very best prices! To view all of these and more of our knitting accessories, check the Abakhan catalogue here.Knitting Needles From Abakhan: Available Now!
When you first get into knitting and other areas of haberdashery, there are many important things to consider. Once of the most important is which variety of knitting needles you’re going to make use of. Fortunately, we’ve come up with this little guide to help you decide between them. Metal needles are one of the most common, and certainly one of the most popular, due to there being relatively long lasting and fairly low cost. However, it’s worth noting that they are fairly unpliable, and that the clicking sound might irritate anyone in the vicinity! Wooden knitting needles are certainly a great choice if you’re looking for a way to keep your knitting quiet – people won’t thank you for interrupting their TV programme, even if we know knitting’s the more rewarding activity! If you’ve ever struggled from carpal tunnel or any similar disorders, the wooden needles’ light weight will help you maintain your comfort over long periods. Plastic needles are a relatively modern occurrence, but have plenty to recommend them. Their very light weight means that they can move speedily, which is very effective should you need to create a new design in a hurry. Whilst there was previously some concern about the potential for splitting, a lot of modern plastic needles have a metal centre, ensuring their longevity. To view Abakhan’s full range of knitting kneedles, visit the main page here.Excellent service
Thank you for your excellent service. I will not hesitate to recommend your company and hope to trade with you again soon.
H Bingham. Thursday 25th August 2011
Change of opening hours at our Mostyn (North Wales) store
The opening hours at our Mostyn (North Wales) store will change from Monday 29 August 2011 to the following: Monday – Saturday 9.30 – 5.15 and Sunday 10.00 – 4.30 (10.00 – 10.30 for browsing only). The Coffee Shop will remain unchanged at Monday – Sunday 9.00 – 5.00. To ensure a smooth as possible transition to the opening hours – the store will continue to trade until 6pm Monday – Friday, in line with current opening hours until Friday 30 September 2011.
Easier to navigate
Would just like to say the new website is so much easier to navigate. Thank you.
K Freiesleben. Tuesday 24th August 2011
Order received 2 minutes early
I am very happy with my order, received two minutes early, lovely colours thankyou.
K Freiesleben. Monday 23rd August 2011
Prompt service
Dear sir or madam I would like to thank you for your exellent and prompt service I will definatly be shopping with your company again.
D David. Sunday 21st August 2011
My order
Arrived this afternoon....excellent service! Thank you.
H Bennettt. Tuesday 16th August 2011
New look site
Just wanted to say that I love your new look website! I've never bought anything from you in line as I like browsing through your Preston store but just wanted to let you know that I think the new look site is brilliant - it's really easy to navigate around and looks much more modern.
J Hewitt. Tuesday 16th August 2011
Abakhan in Mostyn
Hello last week I visited Abakhan in Mostyn and spent around £475.00 during my visits. I am a Textiles teacher and I think your craft cottons at £15.55 kg are amazing and further to this I would like to give praise to your staff and comend and thank Rhian, Sharon and Chloe for giving such dedicated service.
S Goodley. Monday 15th August 2011
First order
I placed my first order with your company yesterday at 14.03pm. I received my package this morning at 09.18am. Absolutely brilliant!!e.
A Burroughs. Friday 12th August 2011
Dress lining
Hi, I have just placed the order for the correct Dark Grey Lining. I am sorry it was my fault I got confused with the new layout however it is better except numpties like me did not read the listing properly. So sorry for the mix up but thank you for your attention to details in the orders. Not many firms are as diligent as you are.
Thank you once again, Julia Phipps. 08 August 2011
I ordered for the first time with you
I just wanted to say I ordered for the first time with you yesterday and everything arrived today - great delivery service, and I'm really pleased with all the items. I will definitely be using your site again!
Many thanks, Rachel. 02 August 2011
Fleece arrived safely
Dear Abakhan, thank you for this. The correct fleece arrived safely yesterday. Thank you for dealing with this so quickly.
Many thanks, Sarah. 29 July 2011
Welcome to our new website
Welcome to the new Abakhan Fabrics, Hobby and Home website. Here you can find a vast selection of fabrics, crafts, knitting yarns, sewing and haberdashery accessories. With 7 craft and fabric stores in the UK, nobody is better placed to offer you expert advice and to source the very best products possible for your own projects.
Download our Workshop & Course brochureAbakhan Fabrics, Hobby & Home Group Visits Discounts and Benefits
There are many ways that you can benefit from booking a coach party with Abakhan Fabrics, Hobby & Home. Here's an outline of discounts and benefits you may qualify for:-
. 10% discount for all party members *
. £10 credit note for the organiser (to be spent on the day)
. Free tea/coffee for all party members
. Free meal for the Coach Driver
These benefits will be discussed with you by one of our Coach Party Co-ordinators upon booking your coach party. It is always best to phone at least five days before you're due to arrive, so that we can get your £10 credit note and discount cards, if applicable, ready for you beforehand. These are available from our reception desk upon arrival.
If you would like to book a coach party please do not hesitate to contact our reception desk on 01745 562 100 where someone will more than happy to take details of your coach party.
Terms and Conditions apply, please contact our Reception Desk on 01745 562100 for further details.
Group Visit Booking Form
Please click HERE to download a booking form.
Workshops & Courses for 2011 at Mostyn & Liverpool
The programme of Workshops & Courses for January 2011 - October 2011 are now available, and will be running at both our Mostyn (North Wales) and Liverpool stores. Classes include Dressmaking, Felting, Machine Embroidery, Creative Fabrics, Beading, Fascinators & so much more!
More Information & Bookings. For more information & to reserve a place on a Workshop or Course, please click HERE
Download Brochure. For full details on all Workshops & Courses at Abakhan, including a diary of FREE Demonstrations & Events at Abakhan we suggest you download a Brochure - please click HERE
My order
I just want to thank all concerned regarding my order which was placed yesterday and delivered today. The delivery was so quick and the items I ordered are just great. Many, many thanks and do keep me posted with your wonderful offers.
Best regards to all, Audrey. 27 July 2011
Choosing The Right Knitting Needle
Have you ever thought about getting into knitting, but never really known the difference between the numerous kinds of needle? This can be a real pain for some people, as getting the wrong one can drastically affect the outcome of all that time and effort.
If you want to make a jumper for the winter – or summer if you’re in England – then you don’t want to end up with a hat because you’ve bought a needle to go quickly and it’s all gone wrong.
So here are a few tips for choosing the right knitting needle.
There are so many needles on the market, which can make things tricky for a beginner. There are plain plastic needles, metal, glass, bamboo, wood, the list goes on, and that’s not even begun to mention straight, circular or double-pointed needles! The best way as a beginner is to go to the store with a project in your head. The design and style of your plan will dictate what sort of needle you will need.
You don’t need to go out and buy every type of needle all in one go to make up a collection and say, “I’ll use the wooden one this time I think”. Different knitters prefer different styles so you may find you never use some of them.
Many people like bamboo or wooden needles because of their warmth, natural feel and that comforting, traditional click that you get as you get going.
Metal needles are the choice of many, because they are less likely than any of the other models to break. They are sleek which can allow for quick knitting, but don’t expect to have the jumper done in the same day purely because you have needles that allow you to go that bit quicker – that can be when mistakes creep in.
Plastic needles are similar to their wooden or bamboo counterparts in terms of weight and feel, but they lack that natural warmth that wood gives off. They’re very smooth, like the metal versions, so also allow you to knit that bit quicker, and they’re that little bit more flexible.
If you have the feeling that you want to keep knitting, give a number of different needles a go, but you will probably find out early on that you have one that you just keep going back to.
For more information and a list of all of our knitting yarn and accessories, visit the section on our website.
My recent order
I just wanted to email and say thank you for my recent order. It arrived today and my colleague and i enjoyed diving into the box and looking at the fab yarn i had ordered. This is my second order from you, and i can honestly say i am delighted with the quality and service. I have already recommended you to some of my customers, who i am sure will be as delighted as me and will order from you soon!!
Many thanks, M Garnham- 25 July 2011
Massive thank you
I would just like to say a massive thank you for getting my order to me so quickly! Within 24 hours of placing my order it was here. I will be forever grateful as i will now not have to sit up till early hours on friday creating my items for my craft event on saturday. I will certainly be ordering from you again and be planning a holiday somewhere near one of your shops :)
Many thanks, Sam - 13 July 2011
24 very large flags
Thank you for very quick delivery of the material I ordered. The colours were very beautiful and I have made 24 very large flags for a conference. I have enclosed a photo of some of them being used.
Thank once again, M Silvera - 18 July 2011