The Queen Bee
Not only that, these were the first boxes to be shipped internationally. In September I opened up the website to ship to America and the response has been amazing. Don’t worry if you’re not in the USA or UK, I will be adding new countries to the website in the coming months, so hold tight!
Last month London’s Excel Centre held The Great British Sewing Bee Live, a whole weekend of shopping fabric, sewing workshops and demonstrations. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend myself but I enjoyed seeing everyone’s post on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, so I was inspired to create a Sewing Bee themed box.
I was even more set on this theme when I found these gorgeous fat quarters, designed by Stuart Hillard, who was a contestant on Series One of the Great British Sewing Bee.There are two different sets called Sewing Bumble Bee Buttons/Badges but I am so in love with the colours as well as the prints.
I don’t think I’ll be able to convey to you just how in love with this cotton lawn I am. There are 3.5 meters of this Evening Roost Teal from Lady McElroy in all the Luxury boxes and it is so soft and buttery smooth to cut. I was even happier when I discovered I had two meters left over plus a couple of other short lengths which I reckon I can put to use at some point for a dress.
The pattern this month comes from new indie designer Nina Lee who is based in London. The Portobello Trousers are a classic, wide leg trouser with front pleats and a concealed zip at the centre back. As well as working perfectly with the cotton lawn these trousers can be made in a floaty rayon for the summer or a lightweight wool for the winter – a perfect office staple.
The Classic and Mini boxes each have a length of this beautiful silky viscose. The colours are perfect as we head into autumn and can be easily layered with cardigans and jeans for keeping warm. I can see some stunning dresses or blouses worn with a coral cardigan to pick out the colour of those flowers.
Can you spot the little sweet treat that went into all the boxes this month? Trying to match an edible gift to the theme of the box isn’t always easy but I try where I can. With a sewing themed box I was a little stumped until I saw the “Jazzles” were a type of chocolate button… I know, it’s a fairly weak link but I’m sticking with it!
Every box also included a reel of matching Gutermann thread, a 9 inch concealed zip and two meters of gorgeous sewing themed ribbon, perfect for stabilising shoulder seams on a knit garment, as a trim around or inside a hem or neckline, to make a button band more decorative or as a drawstring.
Finally, the Classic and Luxury boxes each featured this super handy little tool from Merchant & Mills. A metal sewing gauge can be used to help you accurately measure seam allowances or whilst pressing up a hem. They can also be used to measure buttonholes and pleats. I am planning a more in depth blog post on this later this month.
Simply Sewing Magazine kindly gave a few of their issues to send along with the boxes to my new customers in America. I love reading this magazine, it’s full of great tips and features. If you fancy subscribing you can save 76% on 13 issues (one year) paying at total of just $39.95. The magazines will also come with a fabulous pattern as a cover gift too.
I’d love to know what you think of these boxes and what you are planning to make with all these goodies. Leave me a comment below and tell me your plans.