Hello hello, 

Anna here and I’m very excited to be introducing my new range of Sewing Patterns For Children’s Clothing!

They’ve been a long time coming…..I’ve been working with Millie Moon for over a year now and I’ve often been asked when people see my little dresses in the shops ‘Do you have a pattern for that?’ or during workshops ‘Can I buy a pattern?’ and the answer is now YES!!

My mission was to create an easy to follow, multi sized range that was simple to sew at home and that you can buy all the lovely materials you need to make at Millie Moon. There’s 3 styles to fit ages 1-5 to start with - a very cute Party Dress with a full skirt, a versatile sleeveless Pinafore Dress and an A-line T Shirt Dress with built in sleeves.

They’ve been a challenge to put together, I had to use my, somewhat rusty and self taught, CAD experience and call upon some of my lovely friends for their help - huge thanks to Chris at Wing’s Art and Design Studio and Aran at Latitude Photography for their skills, and everyone at Millie Moon for their        enthusiasm and patience.

I hope you enjoy making the patterns as much as I’ve enjoyed putting them together - all feedback would be much appreciated, I’d love to see photos of your finished dresses and hear your suggestions for the next additions to the range.

Please note…….All my patterns are clearly marked Not For Commercial Use, this means they are for home use only by Mummys, Aunties, Nannys etc making for their friends and family NOT for business or any other monetary gains/sale. As simple as the patterns and instructions look they have taken me a long time to develop and I also design and sell handmade ready to wear dresses. Copyright law exists to protect designers who risk sharing their ideas and I hope people understand and respect this. Thanks x

GIVE AWAY TIME

So, 3 styles, 3 samples, 3 Millie Moon shops, I thought what better excuse for a little introductory giveaway! There’s 1 free pattern up for grabs at each Millie Moon store - simply pop in as soon as possible, have a look at the sample dress and enquire:

 ‘Do you have ANNA's pattern for that?‘ 

to claim the hot off the press 1^st editions…… 

remember - Just one pattern per shop - first come first served

 I’m also aiming to cover making all the little dresses as workshops at Millie Moon, starting with the Pinafore Dress on 9th February in Keynsham and 27^th April in Frome - these workshops include all materials too, bargain.

Celebrating our 5th Birthday

Its been 5 years since we opened the door of the shop, in Catherine Hill, Frome, Somerset. Its been such a fab 5 years, we have seen so many fabrics come and go through the doors, and made some great friends along the way.  

We decided that as it was our birthday the Frome shop needed a good spring clean and we got a bit carried away and gave it a whole new look.

The Fabric Room

The black shelves and Chandeliers give the fabric room a boudoir feel, the tea chests are perfect for holding the many different interfacings and vilenes and the tin bath is great for storing the bulky poly waddings and cotton battings.

The Pre-cuts

We have managed to find a perfect little home for all the lovely Moda pre-cuts. Layer cakes, Jelly rolls and charm packs. Which do you prefer? 

The Button Tower

This is our beautiful button tower. Just like a tiered wedding cake and So many new buttons!

These beautiful dresses have been made from Millie Moon fabrics by the fabulous 'Make me a dress' by Alexandra King and Anna Vickery  http://www.makemeadress.blogspot.co.uk 

Habby Wall

                                                                

Even the habby has a new home, 

everything you need for all those sewing projects                      

Geekly chic 

looks great sitting on the enormous wooden cotton 

reel in the window.

  

A big thank you to all our creative customers, our very talented tutors and our amazing team for supporting us over the last 5 years. We hope you like the new look, pop in and say HI soon. 

BIG love 

Rachel and Becki x

PS watch this space...exciting news coming soon!

Introducing Dressmaker Anna Vickery

We are really pleased to welcome the lovely and very talented Anna Vickery to our team. Anna has been teaching workshops with us in Wells for about a year now, but is now joining the team working in the Wells shop. Anna is developing workshops in dressmaking, working with paper patterns, teens workshops and many more and we hope to offer a wide range in both Frome and Wells. 

Here is a little bit about Anna by Anna.

"I studied Fashion Design at The University of the West of England in Bristol, and graduated with a Ba(hons) in 2005. During my time at university I was selected to exhibit at Graduate Fashion week in London and at The Royal West of England Academy in Bristol. My Fashion Design degree covered many areas including design, pattern cutting and sample development, garment construction, illustration, technical drawing, styling, business, visual culture and contextual studies.

After university I started my career as a Junior Designer for a specialist company which design and produce heavy duty leather and textile products, mainly for the Police and Armed Forces. It was very much ‘in at the deep end’ but great experience - if I could work with leather on heavy machinery I can sew anything….

Along the way I have also worked for a luxury leather brand and a floral designer - I always seem to pick nice/tempting products to work with, and now I’m at Millie Moon, trying to resist new fabric every week!

I also currently work with amazing Womenswear and Bridal designer Alexandra King. I met Alexandra at university and now help her create handmade clothing and accessories for women worldwide from her Somerset studio. We design and make every garment, mainly dresses, in house and strongly believe in traditional craftsmanship and service. I am mainly involved with the actual making of the dresses, it may surprise you to know that despite my background in ‘design’ I hate drawing, so we work well together - Alexandra is an inspiration and truly lovely friend. www.alexandra-king.com

Since school/college/university and beyond my influences have come from twentieth century art, media and design. Current projects I am working on include making a Wedding Dress for an old school friend who is getting married in June, working on a new Chilrenswear/Flowergirl mini collection ready for a Wedding Fair at Bristol Zoo we are exhibiting at in March, oh and i’m about to move house so i’m collecting ideas for new interiors projects, starting with re-upholstering 6 dining chairs….

I’ve been leading workshops for Millie Moon for nearly a year and have just started doing a few days in the Wells shop - it’s great to be able to share skills in such a colourful and creative environment. I’m also looking forward to my first Millie Moon Hen Party soon. My next workshops include Teen Dressmaking, How to make a Childs Dress, How to make a Clutch Bag and How to use a paper pattern. I am also available for 1-1 sewing/dressmaking tuition.

Teens PJ Shorts workshop Sunday 24th March - Wells shop

Anna will be in the Frome shop on Friday 15th February 2013 with a teens workshop - "Up-cycle your clothes" come along with your own garment that you would like to change, update or customise. Make it fit your own individual style! ages 11+ involves some use of the sewing machine and hand sewing techniques. Great for those who have an interest in fashion design.


Pop in and see Anna in the wells shop for a chat or book a workshop. Anna is also available for 1-1 sessions should you need specific help or advice.

New workshops with Anna coming in the spring: 

• Beginners Embellishments
• Step by Step by tulip skirt without a pattern 
• Make your own Pyjama shorts
• up-cycle your clothing
• Simple Sun top
• Girls simple summer dress

www.milliemoonshop.co.uk

The Great Create

Well, we have finally got our breath back and we can now fill you in on the fun we had at our Charity event "The Great Create" at the fabulous Mells Barn.

After months of planning, cutting and excitement, the finally day came. The sun shone and we arrived early at the beautiful Mells Barn to hang the bunting, set up the sewing machines and lay the craft tables ready to welcome all the ladies to the event. Even the Cows came to say hello.

Once everyone had received their Millie Moon bag containing their 'Speed Crafting Makes' and taken a seat at a crafting table, the day started with a welcome talk by Kelly Hall from PAC. She explained the role and importance of the charity and the reason why we were all there. After a brief explanation of the days events, the Mayor of Frome, Pippa Goldfinger, rang the bell and we were off.

"Ready Steady SEW!"

The speed crafting had begun and so off they went, sewing, gluing, folding, pinning, cutting...

As each project finished, the bell would ring and a game of musical chairs began as the ladies moved to the next table to create again. Bows, pincushions, christmas decorations in felt, paper and ceramics, jewellery, yo-yos... 

A total of 80 ladies completed a total of 640 craft projects in one day! Unbelievable.

We had a fantastic lunch provided by the Walled Garden at Mells, a great informative talk by Lyndsey Mayhew from Mollie Makes magazine, more speed crafting and then a talk by local illustrator and designer Carol Tratt had everyone laughing. Afternoon tea and cake was needed to keep sugar levels up as the Jelly roll Race was about to commence. 

Four teams of ladies raced through the Jelly rolls and we had 4 finished quilt tops in under an hour. Incredible but addictive... and maybe a little competitive? 


All fabric for the Jelly roll race was supplied by MODA 

The raffle was by far the best raffle we have ever seen. Prizes donated by so many local businesses, Vita interiors, Bramble and Wild, Marmalade yarns, Edamay, all the tutors and from EQS, COATS and MODA. Fabric, Jelly rolls, Coat, Bags, kits, cushions, subscriptions to mollie makes and simple things magazines and much much more. The raffle raised over £500

From tickets Sales we raised a whopping £2000, with the raffle and the selling of the quilt tops from the Jelly roll race the total is now £2522! 

Millie, Dee and Julie... Superstars in the Kitchen

We cannot thank everyone enough for their help and support. From the tutors and volunteers who gave up their time and expertise, Kelly, The Mayor, the speakers,The Walled Garden, the businesses who sponsored and gave raffle prizes, Sue who supplied the cutlery at very short notice, the speakers and of course to everyone who bought a ticket. Without you the create would not have been so great. 

Thank you and for those of you asking already...

Maybe next year??? Keep your eyes peels and get practising those Jelly Rolls races....


Rachel and Becki xxx

(Finally, apologies if we have missed anyone from the thank you's.  So many of you were part of an amazing day, we have been totally overwhelmed by your support and your generosity and for the fabulous feedback we have received) 


About the Tutors:
Gaynor Ringland - Gingergirl
Vickie Piper - Fromemaid   http://www.fromemaid.com
Angela Lai Yen - Little studio red     http://angelalaiyen.blogspot.co.uk
Emma and Jane - Dufflebobble     http://dufflebobble.blogspot.co.uk
Caroline Frances Payne - Quilter
Jo Luckstead - Ceramicist     http://jolucksted.com
Alexandra and Anna - Make me a Dress     http://makemeadress.blogspot.co.uk
Anne Baillie Smith - Designer and Maker

Please respect the tutors who gave up their time, skills and creativity and  be so kind as to not reproduce the patterns for commercial purposes

50s style skirt workshop with "Make me a dress"

Sunday 19th February was Millie Moon's first workshop with local Dress designer of 'Make me a dress' Alexandra King. This dress by Alexandra is an example of her beautiful work in one of the fabulous fabrics by Martha Negley, that we stock at Millie Moon.

50's style skirts was the make of the day. 

After deliberating with the fabric choices, all the ladies finally chose fabulous Michael Miller prints. Alexandra set about the demonstration and made it all look so simple.

     

Alexandra at the machine

Adding the contrasting bias binding

                                              

Then it was the turn of the ladies to have a go. Using 2 metres of 44" fabric and no pattern, the ladies cut out their skirt and quickly began sewing.  They all actually found out it was as simple as Alexandra had made it. The no pattern skirt had pockets, bias binding and a zip. So many skills learnt and applied in such a short space of time.

Emma and Amanda concentrate on the binding  

    Pleating the waistband

        

The 3 hours flew by and there were 4 beautiful 50's style skirts perfect for dancing the night away!

putting in the zip    

  Lucy in her cherry print skirt

                                                     

Alexandra has put the DIY Tutorial for the skirt making workshop onto her blog for you all to have a go

makemeadress.blogspot.com

More workshops with Alexandra "makemeadress' coming soon to  Millie Moon

New Riley Blake in store.....

Just look at the gorgeous Riley Blake fabrics 'Fly a Kite' that have just arrived in store. I was so excited I just had to share. Perfect to cheer up a nursery or a patchwork quilt, I can also see them as funky stool covers....aaah the possiblities are endless.

Lets take a closer look......

New Michael Miller fabrics have also popped into both shops. You ought to see them, they are quirky and fun, and they would add character to any project. Perfect for the 50's Skirt workshop with Alexandra 'Make me a dress" in the Wells shop on Sunday 19th February. I have already decided on the cherries for mine. The bar-b-que print will be perfect for those fathers day aprons.