Hello…I’m Laura
Today is my last day hosting at the Vilene Sewing Club workshops at the Creative Stitches Show at ExCel. Over the last few days, weeks in fact as well, with the Vilene Sewing Club at the Sewing for Pleasure Show at the NEC, I have had the fantastic opportunity of meeting awesome creative folks, and I have been meeting y’all by the truck load!
I have been completely blown away by the positive vibes from y’all. I mean, you guys are rad! You guys are enthusiastic about stitching, about learning new things and about getting involved with something a little creative and fun. Basically, you are my kinda people!
Whist the shows have been a total blast – time has not been a friend of mine. The packed out schedule of workshops – starting at 10.30 and running pretty much back-to-back until the show closes – have left me with little time for some of the finer things in life. And, by finer things I mean chatting, shopping and getting to know some you guys a little better!
During the shows, I was asked a lot of questions – and I’m not just talking about the mid-workshop “what seam allowance am I using, again?” kind of questions. Lots of you were asking me things like, “What is Made Peachy?”, “Where do you teach classes?”, “So, what is is that you actually do?” – some of you smart cookies suggested that I add a little post to share about who I am and what I do…so, here it is!
Hello…I’m Laura!
I am am a journalist and writer by trade and a designer/maker by obsession – before leaving to work freelance I worked as the Editor of Craft Business, the UK’s leading Trade Magazine for the Craft Sector, as the Deputy Editor on the launch team for Let’s Knit magazine then working as the launch Editor of Sew.
Whilst my day jobs on the magazines gave me more than enough opportunity to indulge my creative passions daily basis, I also spent a great deal of my free time working on knitting and crochet designs that wetre features in many popular craft magazines, including Crafts Beautiful, Let’s Get Crafting and (not forgetting) Let’s Knit – some of my designs even make it to the cover!
If you’re a bit of a knitting fanatic – you can find me on Ravelry too!
So, what is it that you actually do?
Sometimes in life you want to take on a new challenge, and for me that meant looking at working freelance, being my own boss, stretching my creativity, trying out new things. Life takes some pretty weird twists and turns, and last summer I found myself in the position to really and truly venture out on my own!
In the first few months of embracing a freelance life, I wrote the Sewing Manual and then, just as I was wrapping that up, Haynes asked me to work on a second book, the DIY Wedding Manual.
Well, at present my schedule is pretty busy – I spend most of my working day writing for magazines, websites and creative publications. When I’m not writing, I can usually be found in my little studio space designing and making projects, working on commissions, shooting product or styled photographs. I work on a variety of creative projects for a number of companies in the craft sector; one of these roles is as a Creative Consultant for Vilene – this means that I attend a number of the consumer craft and stitching shows throughout the year, and around the country, demonstrating the wide range of different applications for Vilene products.
Do you teach sewing, knitting or craft classes?
At present offering regular classes is a little tricky, but I do have plans in the very near future to team up with a creative space in the South East to do just that – teach regular classes, workshops and drop in Makers Sessions…I’ll be announcing all the details here, just as soon as I can.
In the meantime, I do teach workshops at sewing and craft shops around the country whilst I’m on my merry little journey of shows and events – if you’re interested in attending a workshop, or want to schedule a workshop at your craft store – drop me an email & we can chat about dates!
So, what is Made Peachy?
Made Peachy is my little place to share, document and just out-and-out enjoy the creative things that I find in my daily life. Here you will find free projects, how-to guides, ideas and inspiration – Made Peachy is where you will find me each and every day, adding something new – a project to make, a technique to try or something handmade that I just really and truly adore! Made Peachy has been live since July 2013 and I have been sharing something new each and every day…yup, if you’re new around here, there is plenty for you to catch up on! Why not check out the Archive to see some of the older posts, or you can check out the Gallery to see the selection of free projects, recipes and how-to guides!
So, folks, that’s a little bit about me – you can find out more over on the About & FAQ pages!
One of the things I loved the most about the shows is how many of you were able to share photos of your latest projects I can’t even begin to tell you how happy it makes me feel when you are telling me about the latest makes that you’re working on and you say, “I have a photo here if you want to see?” Yes! Yes my friends – I *love* to see what other folks are stitching – this is part of the reason that I do what I do! If you have photos of your makes that you want to share – and remember, I always *always* love to see them – you can post them on the Made Peachy Facebook page for me to see, email them over to me, share them on Twitter or you can tag me on Instagram! Keep them pics coming folks – I can’t get enough!
Finally, I want to say a huge Thank You to everyone that came along to take part in the Vilene Sewing Club workshops – without all you rad folks, we wouldn’t have had anywhere near the amount of fun!
If you weren’t able to come along, or the workshop that you wanted to take was booked up, then you still be part of the fun! Over the next few weeks I will be sharing all the how to guides for the workshops – so you’ll be able to get the step-by-step instructions, the pattern templates and all the essential info for making the projects at home…while we won’t be able to recreate the awesome workshops vibe in your home sewing room, I can say that I’ll be available via email for you to share your finished makes, or to ask for any extra help if you get in a little pickle! Sweet, right? So, watch this space or find these in the coming weeks by searching Vilene Sewing Club Projects in the search box on the side bar!
♥ – ♥ – ♥
Find your nearest Vilene stockiest by contacting crafts@stockistenquiries.co.uk
The Vilene Sewing Club In Association With…
All of the delicious fabrics for these makes are from the stunning range of designer prints from Art Gallery Fabrics – take a look over the range, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
The ribbons and trimmings for these projects were supplied by Berisfords, who offer a range of ribbons for sewing and decorative projects in a host of colours styles and finishes. Priced from 70p per meter and available from fabric and sewing stores. For more information visit www.berisfords-ribbons.co.uk or call 01453 883581
The buttons and fasteners for these projects are from Hemline, who provide a vast range of products for all aspects of sewing and crafting which are available nationwide from sewing and craft suppliers. For more information contact groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk or call 01453 883581
Thank you to DotComGiftShop for the fab additions to the Vilene Sewing Club Goodie Bags!
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