The Stitching, Beading & Knitting Show

Sewing Workshop

Join Alison Smith and her staff in our Sewing Workshop. Alison, who runs the UK’s largest sewing school in the UK, has put together a programme of short workshops, which are aimed at those wishing to learn a new technique, or as a refresher for those returning to sewing.

All workshops are free-of-charge, with places for a maximum of eight people at a time, booked on a first come, first served basis. Alison says, participants need to be proficient at using a sewing machine. To find out more, come a talk to Alison on her stand C12.

11.30: THE FLY FRONT ZIP
Learn how to put in a classic faced fly front zip as found on most trousers. Good sewing skills required. (This will teach using a zip foot and attaching a zip facing).

12.30: THE DETACHABLE COLLAR
Add instant fashion detail to any garment. Discover a quick easy way to make a detachable collar. Good sewing skills required. (This will teach sewing and clipping curved seams, understitching and using bias binding.

13.30: A FELT NEEDLE CASE
Make a ribbon embellished need le case with a button and buttonhole fastening. Basic sewing skills required. (This will teach attaching ribbons, using an automatic buttonhole and sewing on a button.)

14.30: THE CONCEALED ZIP
Discover how to insert the easiest of all the zips and it doesn't show! (This will teach how to use the concealed zip foot).

15.30: A POCKET TISSUE HOLDER
Make a pretty holder for either your mobile phone or some handy tissues. (This will teach applying bias binding and sugar bag corners).

Sewing Clinic

The Sewing Clinic will be manned all day, but Alison will personally be on hand in this area to help you with any sewing problems between 11.00-12.30, and 14.30-16.00 each day.

So bring along any of your sewing problems, or anything that you are stuck with, as Alison and her staff are ready to answer queries on any aspect of sewing including tailoring, crafts and home furnishings.

Pattern Bar

The Dressmakers’ Pattern Bar gives you the chance to peruse and order patterns from all the latest books, by companies such as Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, Burda and Vogue. Plus our Dressmaking advisor, Thelma Judge, who worked for many years as Dressmaking Advisor for John Lewis’s flagship store in London’s Oxford Street, will be on hand to advise you on fabric quantities, cutting out and demonstrating how to apply and use Vilene interfacings correctly for a professional dressmaking results.

Ellison Appliqué Workshop

Ellison Europe, creators of the Sizzix® brand of die-cutting machines and accessories, are pleased to introduce their quilting and appliqué range. Join the free workshop where you can create your own appliquéd project using the Sizzix&tm; Big Shot&tm; machine and appliqué die. You can also pick up tips and project ideas from Sizzix® Creative Quilting Specialist Angela Southey. Workshops will take place hourly from 10am each day.

Knitting Lounge

Heartsease
Little heart bags made by people like you, with big hearts, to encourage and delight children at Kids Company.

Join Ruth and Belinda and the UK Hand-Knitting Association in the ‘come/learn-to-knit’ area. Ruth and Belinda have dreamed of a way knitters can extend care to children they have never met by making a special heart-shaped bag. These can be pockets of hope and safety. They hope to gather 1000s of hearts, made by you, with kindness.

Ruth and Belinda’s knitting design company will be selling their original designs, unique yarn (some say the softest in the world!) and beautifully hand-made shawlpins. They are branding partners of the Campaign for Wool and promoters of quality hand-knit design; supporting and encouraging independent brave knitters and makers.  

Craft Club Linking Up

After the successful World Record by the NFWI for the 'Most people knitting simultaneously', where 3,083 members knitted a green and white linked chain, the WI along with Craft Council and the UKHKA have decided to go for another World Record: The Longest Knitted Chain! So come and join in the fun. 

Coats Hand Patchwork and Quilting Workshop

Using a selection of fabric from designers Tula Pink and Kaffe Fassett, a small project will be started in this one hour workshop highlighting fabric print and colour effects in patchwork.

Absolute beginners and rusty returnees are welcome to join us and learn how to do hand patchwork using the English paper piecing method. During the workshop we will cover a basic introduction to hand sewing, how to cut out and use patchwork templates, how to sew a simple patchwork panel and simple methods of hand quilting.

Places are available on a first come basis.

The Possibilities of Patchwork

Visit the Coats/Cotton Patch stand and open your mind to the possibilities of patchwork. Learn tips and techniques for creating your own patchwork quilt with our demonstrations on rotary cutting, piecing, appliqué and finishing your quilt. Learn about the tools that will help you create fast, accurate and rewarding patchwork. Test drive one of our machine quilting frames and discover the creative possibilities of quilting.

Come and be inspired by our display of quilts and lifestyle projects in the latest, freshest fabric collections from the designers of Rowan and Free Spirit. Unleash your creativity on Stand A18 - the possibilities are endless!

Meet the Expert - Pauline Ineson

Pauline Ineson has been teaching machine sewing techniques in Worcestershire for more that 12 years and is the proud author of the book 'How to create an Heirloom Quilt'.

Don't miss the stunning range of patchwork and quilting fabrics at the show, from: Doughty's; Bobbin Patch; Cotton Patch; Stitch Witch; Abakhan; Puddleducks; The Shuttle and Fabrics Galore

Sewing Experts

Want to find a course that’s perfect for you or get some expert advice? Then come along and meet our talented Sewing Experts, who all run courses throughout the year.

Alison Smith is the owner of Alison Victoria’s School of Sewing, in Leicestershire, and TV Dressmaking expert for ‘Ladette to a Lady’.
Gill Arnold offers inspirational training for beginners and professional dressmakers at her studio in Birmingham.
Michelle Pye is based in Leicestershire, and runs dressmaking and tailoring courses up and down the country.
Sara Radford teaches informal dressmaking workshops on boned bodices and period corset making at her home in Devon.
Barry Rogers, a successful tailor for over 26 years offers sewing workshops for all levels from his studio in Southampton.
Karen Delahunty is based in Coventry, but teaches sewing for all levels throughout Warwickshire. She also runs Janome and Bernina ‘Get to know days’ at West End Sewing Centre, in Cheltenham.

Mr X Stitch

Sewing for Pleasure is pleased to welcome back Jamie Chalmers, aka Mr X Stitch, a recognised authority on new trends of embroidery and needlecraft, and this year he wants to show you his view of the world of stitch! Enjoy an exhibition of pop culture-inspired amateur embroidery from around the world.

Guilds and Societies

• Guild of Machine Knitters
• Ring of Tatters
• WI – West Midlands and Warwickshire Federation
• Guild of Silk Painters
• Lace Guild
• International Feltmakers Association
• The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles.

Exhibitors List

NEC, Birmingham   22-25 March 2012

D09 Abakhan Fabrics, Hobby & Home
D22 Ali Crafts Designs
G07 All Craft Media Ltd
D04 The Amaze Brush
ZB20 Gill Arnold
P04 Ashlie Craft
D15 Babylock (The World of Sewing)
B12 Bee Bee Wools - Fancy Yarn Specialists
Y10 Belinda & Ruth`s Knitting Parlour
C19 The Black Sheep
G06 Brother Sewing Machines Europe Ltd
C15 Bulldog Krafts
E04 Butterick, McCall & Vogue Pattterns
B07 Button Lady - The `ooh aah` Stand
ZE14 Jamie Chalmers
A16 Choices
R05 Chyna Design
A04 The Clogmaker
G04 Clothkits
ZA12 Coats Crafts UK Patchwork & Quilting Wor
B11 Coles Sewing Centre Ltd
ZC14 Nina Corey
A18 The Cotton Patch
F24 County Needlecraft
A09 Craft Lines of Essex
A33 The Craft-Light Company
R07 Crafts Beautiful, Sew and Lets Knit
ZC02 The Cross Stitch Guild
B09 Daisy Chain Designs
E01 Ingrid de Vane
E18 Debonnaire
B26 Dickory Dock Designs
ZK19 Wendy Dolan `Stitched Textiles`
D06 Dots N Stripes
A21 Doughty`s
Y12 Dressmakers Pattern Bar
B14 Esther Rose Designs
D01 The Eternal Maker/ButtonCompany
F12 Fabrics Galore
R02 Fabrics Galore
C22 G J Beads
ZR01 Girlguiding Birmingham
ZB18 Shiela-May Green
C01 Jane Greenoff
ZA03 Guild of Machine Knitters
ZC11 Pen Harrison
F02 Historical Sampler Company Ltd
A28 Husqvarna Viking
G02 Itching to Stitch
David Jaggs - Guitarist
G10 Janome UK Limited
D16 Juki Sewing Machines
ZF08 Knit 1 Pass it On / Craft Club
F22 Janie Lashford`s School of Millinery
E21 Leamington Spa Sewing Machines - Elna
P10 Lili Fabrics (UK) Ltd
A29 Linden Lady Chocolates Ltd
F03 Linton Tweeds Ltd
P01 Love Yarn
A05 Manteaux
The Marquetry Society (Southern)
G01 Michael Powell Cross Stitch Art
P40 Mobile Massage Events Ltd
P18 Molten Designs
P05 Needlethreader
A11 The Nimble Thimble
A26 NKM Shows
E22 The Nutmeg Company
P16 Oliver Twists
G12 Pauline Paul (UK) Ltd
E16 The Pearl Girl
E12 Pfaff
Y07 Possibilities of Patchwork
ZC12 Michelle Pye
ZC10 Sara Radford
ZB16 The Ring of Tatters
E30 Jaynie Roberts
ZB17 Barry Rogers
B27 M Rosenberg & Son
ZF07 Ruth and Belinda
E23 Sew Enchanting
A01 Sew It All Ltd
E05 Sew Today Magazine
Y11 Sewing Machine Clinic
ZF24 Sewing World Magazine
E26 The Shuttle
B01 Siesta Frames Ltd
C05 Silver Fairy Design
D12 Silver Orchid Beads
C06 Simplicity Limited
ZD07 Alison Smith
K36 Soluble Film.co.uk
F01 The Southampton Bead Shop
D25 The Spellbound Bead Company
P08 Steam Demon
Y14 Stitch Diva`s Den
F21 Stitchtastic
A06 The Bead Scene Studio / Vintage Stitch
D05 The Toft Alpaca Shop
P02 Totallybeads Ltd
F15 Trixa-Bella
R03 Uwe Raw Cotton
A08 West End Embroidery
E28 WOW Trade
B03 X Stitch Crafts
A31 Yorkshire Book Co

Exhibitors List

NEC, Birmingham   21-24 March 2013

R09 Aarti J Trims
D09 Abakhan Fabrics, Hobby & Home
D22 Ali Crafts Designs
P04 Ashlie Craft
D16 Babylock (The World of Sewing)
A03 Bernina - F L Nutt
C19 The Black Sheep
C05 The Bobbin Patch
G06 Brother Sewing Machines Europe Ltd
C15 Bulldog Krafts
E04 Butterick Kwik Sew McCall & Vogue Patter
B07 Button Lady - The `ooh aah` Stand
A16 Choices
R05 Chyna Design
A04 The Clogmaker
E30 Cloth Magazine
A18 The Cotton Patch
A11 Craft Lines of Essex
A33 The Craft-Light Company
R07 Crafts Beautiful, Sew, Let`s Knit, Homem
E16 Cross Patch
B09 Daisy Chain Designs
E01 Ingrid de Vane
D06 Dots N Stripes
A21 Doughty`s
K21 Emphasize
D01 The Eternal Maker/ButtonCompany
F12 Fabrics Galore
R02 Fabrics Galore
B12 Fancyyarn.co.uk
E21 Favourite Fabrics
G04 Flaming Hot Glass
E28 Forge Mill Needle Museum
C22 G J Beads
C23 Historical Sampler Company Ltd
C24 Horn Cabinets - F L Nutt
A28 Husqvarna Viking
F02 Ingrid Wagner Rug & Art Creation
F24 Itching to Stitch
G12 Jack Button
G10 Janome UK Limited
D15 Juki
F22 Janie Lashford`s School of Millinery
P10 Lili Fabrics (UK) Ltd
A29 Linden Lady Chocolates Ltd
F03 Linton Tweeds Ltd
E23 The Little Lavender Patch
P01 Love Yarn
A05 Manteaux
C01 mettlerthreads.co.uk
G01 Michael Powell Cross Stitch Art
P08 Needlethreader
A26 NeiltheKnit.co.uk
E22 The Nutmeg Company
P18 Oliver Twists
F21 Patharianas Cross Stitch
B14 Pauline Paul (UK) Ltd
E12 Pfaff (VSM)
B03 Pin It and Stitch
E18 Puddleducks
B27 M Rosenberg & Son
F18 Ruth and Belinda
C10 Sew Creative - Elna
F10 Sew Enchanting
A01 Sew It All Ltd
E05 Sew Today
E26 The Shuttle
B01 Siesta Frames Ltd
D12 Silver Orchid Beads
C06 Simplicity Limited
F01 The Southampton Bead Shop
D25 The Spellbound Bead Company
P05 Steam Demon
D04 Stitch-Witch
B26 The Stitching Shed
G02 Sunken Treasures
A06 The Bead Scene Studio / Vintage Stitch
P02 Totallybeads Ltd
L01 Traplet Publications Limited
F15 Trixa-Bella
R03 Uwe Raw Cotton
A07 West End Embroidery
H09 WonderFil Specialty Threads
A31 Yorkshire Book Co

Past Shows Exhibitors Lists

Click on a show below to view the exhibitors list:

• Sewing for Pleasure @ NEC, Birmingham
  22-25 March 2012

• Sewing for Pleasure @ NEC, Birmingham
  21-24 March 2013