23/04/2012 by admin.

Are you  going to a special event - a wedding maybe,  a ball, a special dinner.  Have you been searching the stores only to find they don’t have what you want….. and even when you do find what you are looking for chances are it is the wrong size or the wrong colour.    Have you ever considered making that special outfit for yourself.  You could make a beautiful boned bodice and wear it with a skirt or trousers.  Maybe even make a matching bolero jacket for those of you who do not like to show the tops of your arms.  Boned bodices are currently extremely fashionable and are the basis for making  almost all bridal gowns, prom dresses and evening dresses and can even be worn as a separate top complimented with a matching skirt or contrast trousers.

You will spend the two days learning the techniques required to produce a boned bodice. You will  learn about the interfacings and interlinings required to produce a professional finish. You will learn how to apply piping and how to make rouleau loops which are used for threading through the back tie fastening. At the end of the workshop you will leave with a pure silk couture boned bodice. You can chose from size 8 to size 18.

You must be able to use a sewing machine to attend this course.

All materials, interlinings and pure silk outer fabric included in the course price  £195

Thursday 26th and Friday 27th April 2012

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07/03/2012 by admin.

Birmingham School of Sewing welcomes Emma who joins us to teach embroidery workshops. Emma graduated with a BA (Hons) Degree in Textile Design in 2004 and has since worked as an artist/designer and has exhibited her own work in many venues across the UK. For Emma, a key part of the process is using reclaimed and recycled fabrics. She combines these with layers of embroidery and print to create unique one of a kind pieces. Past projects have included freelance fashion design workshops for adults and children and mask and costume design. Emma makes and sells her own work in the form of framed pieces, small print runs and gifts and accessories. She also produces commissioned work to order.

Emma will be running the following embroidery workshops.

Embroidery workshops

Learn the Art of Perse Applique
The day will be split into two sessions: £65 for the morning session and £45 for the afternoon, book the morning session for the embroidery and both sessions if you want to make it into a cushion.

Perse Applique -Morning Session
During this session you will create an original fabric collage. If you decided the book for the afternoon session you will create your design for a cushion. During this workshop you will:

• use a traditional technique of fabric collage “Perse appliqué”
• how to use bondaweb for quick results
• basic free hand embroidery techniques that you can try on any sewing machine
• using simple templates to cut shapes

You can bring your own templates or use the ones provided. This technique is a great way of using up those scraps of fabric too nice to throw away.

Tutor: Emma Duggan Date: Saturday 10^th March Time: 10.00-1.00pm Cost: £65 (all materials included) Why not book on to the afternoon session and turn your fabric into a beautiful cushion.

Create a Cushion - Afternoon Session
Create a cushion - during this part of the workshop you will:

• learn how to make a removable cover with an envelope closure
• learn how to produce made to measure cushion covers for any size cushion or pillow
• turn your own fabric into a unique, one of a kind cushion design!

Date: Saturday 10^th March Time: 2.00-4.00pm Cost: £49.00 (Materials provided)

Textile Brooch

A workshop in which you can learn a variety of embroidery methods and at the same time learn how to make a unique textile brooch. Perfect for a special occasion outfit or gift. During this workshop you will:

• Create lace-like fabric using dissolve away
• Be introduced to freehand embroidery stitching
• Get creative with recycled odds and ends of fabric
• Be introduced to cut out work with lace and other fabrics
• Have a finished unique design ready to wear!

You will take home your beautiful finished brooch.

Date: Saturday 31^st March Time: 11.00-2.00pm Cost: £65 (all materials included)

For further information or to book a place please contact:

www.birminghamschoolofsewing.co.uk
email: sheilamay@birminghamschoolofsewing.co.uk
tel: 079200 31744

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25/01/2012 by admin.

Sewing is enjoyable, relaxing and addictive.  Learn to sew or improve your sewing skills at Birmingham School of Sewing in Northfield B31.

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20/01/2012 by admin.

By appointment only, please call 079200 31744 to make an appointment.  Price of dresses start from only £59.  We also sell matching boleros, bags, communion veils with crosses and tiaras.

Sheila May Couture
960 Bristol Road South
Northfield
Birmingham
B31 2PE

Tel: 079200 31744

Posted in First Holy Communon Dresses, Communion Dresses Northfield, Communion Dresses Birmingham, communion dresses, Uncategorized | No Comments »

12/01/2012 by admin.

Learn to Knit - Knitting for Beginners

The aim of this workshop is to teach you knitting basics.  During this knitting for beginners workshop you will learn:

• How to cast on
• How to produce plain knitting (garter stitch)
• How to cast off
• How to prepare the plastic bags for knitting

The above techniques are traditional knitting techniques that can be used with all types of yarn.    In keeping with our eco theme we will be using recycled plastic bags during our knitting session.   You will be shown how to make a tote bag with your new knitting skills.   You will be given the knitting pattern to take away to finish your bag.    Should you wish to finish your tote bag in company are welcome to join us at the Sewing, Knitting and Crochet Cafe at Birmingham School of Sewing each Sunday at a cost of £5 per hour with complimentary tea, coffee and cakes.

Date: Sunday 22nd January 2012           Time: 12.30-2.30 pm          Cost: £15 (Includes all materials)

For more information or to book a place on the workshop please call Sheila-May on 079200 31744

or email sheilamay@birminghamschoolofsewing.co.uk

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10/01/2012 by admin.

Getting Crafty with Kids and Teenagers 

*****   Children love to be creative    *****  

Children love to make things   

Fashion Design Course (age 11-19)

These workshops are aimed at budding  fashion designers.  The workshops are for teenagers who want to learn how to make their own clothing and as a taster for career minded students wishing to make a career in design and fashion.   You will learn to use sewing machines and overlockers  to create clothing and accessories for yourselves. Using patterns students will create various projects. Our budding designers are given free reign to stylize and decorate their creations they make with machine embroidery, hand embroidery, fabric paint, ribbons and trims making their products truly unique.   At the end of the course we will organise a fashion show for parents and friends. 

After School Sewing and

Dressmaking Course

The first sewing workshops for 7-10 year olds  that took place at the Birmingham School of Sewing in October were a great success and due to popular demand we have decided to offer after school sewing clubs, school holiday workshops and sewing parties for children.

The After School Sewing Club will take place during term time with a wide variety of projects to make.

For age 7-10  each session will be from will be from 4-5.30
Date:   3 Tuesdays:   Tuesday 17th January, Tuesday 24th January and Tuesday 31st January 2012
Time:  4.00pm-5.30pm Cost:   £45 for 3 sessions.

Starting February 2012
If you would like further information please email: sheilamay@birminghamschoolofsewing.co.uk  or via our contact page or telephone 079200 31744

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31/12/2011 by admin.

Learn a new craft for the new year.  Maybe you are getting married and would like to reduce your wedding costs by making a tiara for yourself and for your bridesmaids, maybe you would like to make the tiaras as a gift for your friend who is getting married or maybe you are even planning on setting up your own business.  Then come along and join us at the

Tiara making Workshops  (Jewellery - no sewing involved)
Would you like to know how to make tiaras for the bride and bridesmaids using beautiful crystal and pearl beads. Then come along to one of our tiara making workshops at the Birmingham School of Sewing.  You will learn how to make a beautiful tiara (no sewing involved). You will have a beautiful tiara to take home at the end of the workshop.

Tutor: Debbie Lewis

Date:  Saturday 14th January        Time:    10.00-12.00         Price:   £45   (All materials included).

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24/10/2011 by admin.

Women Working with Women

Networking for Self Employed Women in Birmingham

Are you self employed or thinking about setting up you own business?  Then join Women Working with Women, who will be holding their very first networking meeting this Wednesday, 27th October 2011.

Women Working with Women has been started for women to build relationships with  other self employed women in order  to inspire, encourage and look for mutually beneficial opportunities to help each other so that we can all benefit from our new relationships.

We are looking for new members who have their own business or are thinking of starting one.  The businesses should not all be sewing related.  We will only accept one person from each business sector.  We are particularly looking for a web designer, an accountant and a business solicitor.

This first meeting will be held at the

Birmingham School of Sewing

960 Bristol Road South

Northfield

Birmingham

B31 2PE

It will be informal meeting in order to introduce ourselves and get to know each other

Meeting starts at 7.00pm and finishes at 8.00pm

You are welcome to arrive from 6.30 to join us coffee

Cost £7.50

If you would like to attend please call Sheila-May Green on 079200 31744

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29/08/2011 by admin.

Mention ‘First Holy Communion’ to thousands of little girls and you are bound to bring a smile to their faces.  Now is the time when little girls everywhere are beginnning to think about making their First Holy Communion.  They will be excited about ‘that beautiful white dress’ and looking stunning in church, in May and June when the communions take place.  Mums will want a dress to treasure and for everything to run smoothly on their little girls very special day.  Sheila May Couture, in Northfield, Birmingham, offers just that.  It is inspired by a mother and daughter duo, who combine each of their specialist and complementary talents to create communion dresses to treasure, in moders and classic styles, and who have possibly, the largest selection of dresses in Birmingham.  Stock also consists of matching boleros, bags, communion veils with embroidered crosses, tiaras, headdresses and white communion shoes.

For further information please contact sales@sheilamaycouture.com or telephone 079200 31744

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