Sewing Blog

New Class Starting in May 2012

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:49:03 +0000

Join our new Patchwork & Quilting For Beginners Class, In just four weeks you can Learn the Fundamentals of Patchwork and Quilting. Starting 1st May this exciting new course is ran once a week on Tuesday for just two hours per sesion.

We aim to give you an understanding of Patchwork & Quilting, learn the importance of an accurate seam allowance. Appreciate the prep by carefully measuring and cutting, basic geometric shapes making them easy to piece together. Precise joining by the most part with a quarter inch foot makes for a patchwork that lies flat without puckers, Why not dabble in free motion, Practice your Applique skills and learn many many more skills in such a short time. Steal hints and tips from an experience Quilter with many years of teaching experience.

"What is really nice to see is that many of the class members start with very little or no experience, yet after a few sessions seem to get the quilting bug and create some beautiful quilts for themselves, family and friends."

For more information and or to book your place call us directly on 0191 25 25 825 or email enquiries@singermachine.co.uk

Pins & Needles Janome Sewing Machine Raffle WINNER 2012

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:33:30 +0000

Firstly I would like to say thank you to all of you who visited us at the Pins and needles show this year, but a special thank you to those who made the journey from lands afar specifically to meet me and the team. Here at SewingMachine-Sales we are always so pleased to offer our knowledge to anybody looking for it, from advice on a new sewing machine, old sewing machine, spares and accessories, repair and maintenance and specialist sewing techniques, we literally had hundreds of enquiries over the three day period and that shows in the percentage that took that extra time out to enter our prize draw.

Whist at this year’s show we decided in the name of charity to do a free raffle a brand new sewing machine. The choice was easy, Quite often customers ask "I'd like a good quality sewing machine, but nothing fancy, what would we recommend?". Here it is, the Janome 521 offers a basic range of 20 stitches, a four step buttonhole, a drop-in bobbin system, a hard cover! Simple. RRP & current sale price £199.00 The Janome 521 is in the same range of the award winning Janome 525s which remains one the best mechanical and robust machines in its price range available today. Be sure to check out our latest special offer including the Janome Spring Sale.

We had over 600 people enter the raffle which is fantastic, Sadly there can only be one winner. To make it completely fair we have appointed an independent, fair and very honest judge... my four year old son Rubin. We have separated all 17 sheets full of hopeful winners and asked Rubin to pick a sheet, then we divided the individual sheet into four sections and asked him to choose a number between one and four. Finally we are left with the winning group and only ten names remaining, It all down to one more number between one and ten. The winner will be announced tomorrow on this blog post. It could easily be you. Good luck to all.

The Winner is:.......
Mrs G McGuire of County Durham

"OOh I'm delighted, I've never won anything before, are you sure? It's a revelation"

Thank you for coming along to visit us during the show and for taking part in our prize draw. We often donate machines to charitable causes and give them away on prize draws, So if you didn't win this time... it's not the end of the world. keep checking our website and blog page for current offers and competitions, next time it could be you.

20% OFF all sewing machine thread until 15th April

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:44:18 +0000

Over the next few day we are showing off some of the most advanced sewing and embroidery machines available for the domestic home user, we will be at the Pins and Needles show from March 29th-31st. On offer are some great show only deals and we expect to help lots of customers select the correct sewing, quilting or embroidery machine to suit their needs.

For this reason and to help all our new and present customer get the most of of their new sewing machine - all sewing thread is down reduced by 20% until April 15th.
20% OFF SEWING THREAD

Your personal voucher code is: pnshow
Use this code in the shopping cart during checkout for 20% off thread. Ends April 15th.

You can find - 100% cotton quilting threads, many types of embroidery threads with sheen or without plus general sewing machine thread by Gutterman in various size spools... plus 100% Silk threads, Coats Cotton, Overlocking, Bobbin Fill and more in the sewing accessory section of our website.

Happy stitching.

What has Linzi Upton been up to. Find out at Pins and Needles Show

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:57:53 +0000

Another date for all quilters to pop into your best diary... 29th - 31st March 2012 - Pins and Needles at Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne.

This is going to be the best Pins and Needles show ever! As well as the ever popular Quilt Exhibition, the wonderful Above and Below the Waves knitted display, and we can now confirm that Linzi Upton is bringing her beautiful Quilted Yurt to the show.

She is also going to run a series of workshops at Pins and Needles - please view the Workshop information for full details on the official Pins and Needles Website. These are all on sewing machines, and are open to anyone, you don't have to be an expert quilter. We are extremely fortunate in that Janome UK have kindly agreed to lend machines for the workshops. Sewing machines will also be available to view and buy at the show, displayed by Sewing Machines Sales, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear. Why not pop along and grab a bargin.

More images of Linzi Upton Quilted Yurt and work.

Cool quilted car...!

Quilted sewing machine face

BRAND NEW Pfaff sewing machine at under £110 - Pfaff 1050s

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:48:53 +0000

After waiting for months, our shipment of this fantastic little sewing machine has arrived.... not that it's small. We know the NEW Pfaff 1050s will be a top seller. It's a full size Pfaff sewing machine with Pfaff quality at a super price.

Our warehouse is overflowing and thats great news....as at this moment we can offer the Pfaff 1050s at a reduced introductory price of £109...... meaning you SAVE £20. Shortly it will be going up to the regular price of £129

Looking to buy a new sewing machine for Christmas as a gift......we can recommend the Pfaff Elements 1050s for beginners to intermediate sewers..... plus its so easy to use, its ideal for children (with parental supervision) It has s a good combination of stitches for home use, with strength for home decor stitching projects, dressmaking or craft stitching.

A quick overview... The new Pfaff Element 1050s sewing machine has 14 stitches and an automatic 4 step buttonhole which provides the necessities for basic sewing. The hidden tension dial is right at your fingertips. Remove the extension table and you have a free arm for sewing hard-to-reach area, easily reverse your stitch with the push of a button. It also offers optional snap-on feet, a one-hand thread cutter, and the reliable front-loading oscillating hook.....

Plus.....as a bonus for orders placed through this website or by calling...
TELESALES: 0845 4309824

New Sewing Quilting and Knitting Classes Starting September

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:36:33 +0000

Join in this September for FUN sewing quilting and knitting classes.

Our workshops, clubs and courses are open to any age from beginners to expert.
New Classes - Starting September 2011

Sewing Techniques:

Tuesdays 10am - 12pm

5 week course - £40.00

Teen Sewing Class:

Wednesdays 4.15pm - 5.15pm

(term time only)

Different projects every month!

Knitting Club:

Thursdays 10am - 12pm

Starting 8th September -£6 per week

Patchwork and Quilting:

Wednesdays 1pm - 3pm & 6pm - 8pm

Fridays 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 3pm

For beginners and expert quilters alike!

For more information or to sign up for any of the classes, please call us on:

0191 2525825 or pop in to:

Singer Sewing Centre, Whitley Road, Whitley Bay , NE26 2SY

Discount coupon for Elna SewFun Sewing Machine

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:15:01 +0000

Nows your change to grab a bargain... use the discount coupon below to enable you to purchase the Elna Sew Fun sewing machine for the discount coupon price of only £99.00.

Its easy..
Step 1. Surf to the Elna Sewfun sewing machine webpage and make a purchase.

Step 2. Print out the discount coupon below and send it to us at...
Sewing Machine Sales
219 Whitley Road
Whitley Bay
Tyne and Wear
NE26 3SY

Step 3. When we receive the coupon, we will refund and difference between the pirce you paid and the coupon price of £99.00

Offer runs from June 18th to July 31st 2011

Testing the new Pfaff Ambition range of computer sewing machines

Mon, 09 May 2011 14:44:46 +0000

After a full day testing two brand new Pfaff computer sewing machines, we can report back to our sales team with a smile of our faces... what a change it is to have such quality, reliability and full computer control at such a reasonable price. Plus both the new Pfaff Ambition 1.0 and its bigger brother the Pfaff Ambition 1.5 have the IDT (Pfaff's dual feed system), so from the start these machines are going to be winners with quilters, dressmakers and home decor crafters. Both have lettering and built in memory, the Ambition 1.5 having 195 stitches with 4 alphabets..!

A sneak peak at the machines below and you'll see the large sewing area of 20cm, no not a large as the Pfaff expression range but still much larger that many other sewing machines on the market at this price level. So be quick and grab a great deal.. just give us a call.. we're upto speed on the Pfaff ambition line already and more than willing to answer any questions.

Pfaff Ambition 1.0

Pfaff Ambition 1.5

Both machines also include the smooth running rotary top loading bobbin system.

A True Sewing Enthusiast

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:24:24 +0000

Some people love to sew, somtimes sewing becomes part of your every day life, yet some people take sewing to an extream, just like our dedicated staff..!

I thought you may like to see how dedicated this girl is about her sewing machine..., with a sewing machine tattoo..!

Later as i looked further into sewing tattoo's i found some other very very enthusiast people showing their love for stitching and in a very difference way. One chap was a band member in a rock group and when his manager asked him to rent some backup singers... he rented a bunch of sewing machines..!
Anyhow here are the sewing tattoos.

Beautiful Baby Quilt by Jean Jones

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:05:36 +0000

Last week I visited The Singer Sewing Centre in Whitley Bay, and had a wonderful surprise! Anne, their Patchwork and Quilting teacher was running a workshop upstairs and Jean Jones was there as well. Why is this interesting I hear you ask? Well, they both bought a Janome Horizon at the Test Drive event I ran at the Centre last year! So I popped into the sewing classroom to say hello.

Jean had with her, the first quilt she had made on her new Horizon, so I thought I'd share it with you. Her first Granddaughter is due soon, Elouise on 7th April, and Jean has made her this wonderful quilt she will keep forever.

Lots of use of the Horizons quilting stitches....

and a lovely mix of hand embroidery... and the grass and flowers along the bottom are stitched using the Horizon... and so are the random hearts and flowers dotted around as well.

And finally finished off with a hand embroidered quilt label, that is embellished with more Horizon quilt stitches! Well done Jean... it's fabulous!!
For more information on the sewing classes in Tyne and Wear and their Patchwork and Quilting workshops, call 0191 2525825

After School Sewing Class

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:28:05 +0000

AFTER SCHOOL SEWING CLASS.........

OUR AFTER SCHOOL SEWING CLASS IS NEARLY FINISHED ITS LATEST PROJECT AND READY TO START SOMETHING NEW

If you are interested in joining us, our class is held every Wednesday at 4.15pm until 5.15pm

Again, spaces are limited. At present we only have two spaces left in our After School Class.....so dont delay, grab that space before it goes...they dont come along very often.

For more information on projects, charges and availability, please call us on 08454309824

COME ALONG ITS FUN!

New Sewing Class- Starting Wednesday 2nd March 2011

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:07:01 +0000

NEW ..... SEWING CLASS!

Come along to one of our NEW sewing classes........

Our class will start by showing you basic sewing machine skills and sewing techniques. You dont have to have a sewing machine to learn....everything is provided. So if you've ever thought... I'd love to make a cushion like that' or 'my jeans need altering but I dont know how to'...WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW!

Classes will be starting on Wednesday 2nd March 2011 10.00am until 12.00pm.

To reserve your space, please call us on 08454309824. Dont forget our classes are very busy so to avoid disappointment and reserve your space...CALL US TODAY.

Heirloom Cushion Class - Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th March 2011

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:56:21 +0000

Why not join one of our workshops and get into heirloom sewing..! There's nothing better than trying to replicate the beautiful stitching techniques used many years ago. No, we'll not be stitching by hand ....we'll be using the very latest computer controlled sewing machines to reproduce real heirloom stitching. We'll be using special fabrics, ribbons, thread and even the unusal wing needle to make one of these lovely cushions. You'll be able to finish this project on the day and take it home with you.

Pfaff Sewing Machines are hosting our fantastic workshops which are being held on......

Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th March from 10.00am until 4.00pm each day

Booking is essential, so to reserve your place and avoid disappointment, call us today on 08454309824. Spaces are limited as our workshops are very popular......dont delay!!

Here are some more examples of the stitching techniques we'll be doing.

January Blues..! To tempt you to start sewing again - 20% OFF ALL THREAD

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:27:15 +0000

As a big thank you for using our website and i personally hope you had a great christmas and a happy new year.

As a temp to help you be creative and get you stitching over the next few weeks.. or a change to stock up on your thread stash..

20% OFF SEWING THREAD

Your personal voucher code is: 20OFFTHREADS
Use this code in the shopping cart during checkout for 20% off thread. Ends January 15th.

You can find - 100% cotton quilting threads, many types of embroidery threads with sheen or without plus general sewing machine thread by Gutterman in various size spools... plus 100% Silk, Coats Cotton, Overlocking, Bobbin Fill and more in the sewing accessory section of our website.

We Hosted Another Exciting Workshop

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:48:33 +0000

Specialist sewing machine and stockist of the Janome 7700 QCP hosted an Horizon event in their dedicated sewing class room for ladies who were considering the new Janome long arm quilting machine.... but wanted to have to good play on it first! As you can see from the smiles below... everyone had a wonderful day and some had to take the machine home with them there and then!

The North East's premier sewing machine shop runs a varied selection of workshops and regular classes, from dressmaking to patch work and quilting. Call in to our store, keep an eye on our blog pages or call the shop on 0191 2525825 for details.

Apart from Janome sewing machines, the we stocks a range of patchwork and quilting supplies, haberdashery and trimmings and various other sewing and knitting accessories... well worth a visit next time you are in the area!

What has the adult quilting class been up to over the last few months

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:23:06 +0000

It's all quiet now in the quilting class, as everone takes a well deserved break and catches up on some christmas shopping.... so I thought I'd show you some of the quilts that have been lovingly made in our workshops over the last few months. Luckily, we have a large enough preparation area to work in, as one or two of the larger quilts were massive...! and took a bit of stepping over. While chatting and carrying a cupa...! take care.!

What is really nice to see is that many of the class members start with no experience, yet after a few sessions seen to get the quilting bug and create some beautiful quilts for themselves, family and friends.

New classes start January 5th, so quickly get booked. You will be using the latest quilting machines with expert tuition...with a bit of friendly banter thrown in too.

And some of the quilt art....

AFTER SCHOOL SEWING CLASS

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:40:00 +0000

'After School Sewing Class'.......

This class is for girls or boys who are interested in learning how to use a sewing machine or developing further sewing techniques.

Maybe you are already a whizz with the sewing machine at school and just want to learn a bit more......then come along to our class. First class starting on Wednesday 15th September 2010, 4.15pm until 5.15pm.

NEW CLASS...Starting SEPTEMBER 2010

For more information call in to Singer, 217-219 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2SY or call 08454309824.

NB. This class is immensley popular and there are only a few places left. To reserve one of the few remaining spaces, please contact us as above ASAP. Dont delay......the class will be full very soon!!

CRAFT CLASS - Make a fantastic Denim Door Organisor

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:18:58 +0000

NEW.......New......NEW......New......NEW......New......

CRAFT CLASS......Would you like to make a Funky Denim Door Organisor........

SORRY THIS CLASS IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

Come along and join one of our craft classes and make a beautiful Denim Door Organisor. Keen sewers and beginners alike will enjoy this fun class. Use of all the latest sewing machines in our fully equip classroom. For more information, please call us on 08454309824 or call into store at 217-219 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2SY

Class Dates: Saturday 24th July 2010

10.00am - 12.30pm

SORRY THIS CLASS IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

WATCH OUT FOR FUTURE CRAFT CLASSES HERE.............. MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT US EARLY TO BOOK YOUR PLACE AS CLASSES FILL UP VERY QUICKLY.

Dawn Cameron Dick lecture

Sat, 22 May 2010 07:51:12 +0000

Just to say a big thank you to Dawn who recently called in and gave tips and advice to about 20 of our dedicated quilters who wanted to learn a little more about machine needles, quilting threads and invisible machine applique.

Who is Dawn Cameron-Dick ?
Dawn Cameron-Dick is a self-taught quilter who has been making quilts for over the world for 30 years. She has been a quilting teacher and lecturer for the last 26 years and was voted Runner-up UK Teacher of the Year in 1999.

A very traditional quilter, Dawn uses modern products to produce her "signature" technique, Invisible Machine Applique, which is done on a sewing machine, but produces perfect hand-done-looking applique.

During the lecture Dawn told us,... " I've been fortunate enough to have been invited to teach in the US, UK (where I now call home), Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Holland, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Ireland and Italy."
she said,... "I am always more than ready to pack up a go anywhere students want to have fun and learn. My aim is to make my classes as enjoyable as I can and still give each and every student individual attention and support."

What did we learn about ?

The main emphasis was on Mettler Threads. Mettler is a Swiss company dedicated to making excellent quality threads. Made with Long Stable Egyptian Cotton that has been mercerised and is ideal for both machine and hand quilting alike.

The thread for you ........................

How about

Quilting Thread 40/3 Cotton.... is a slightly bolder thread for hand and machine quilting which gives superb defination to your stitches. Becase this thread is perfectly balanced there are fewer problems when hand stitching. An 80/90 quilting needle is best to use in your machine with this thread

and

Silk Finish 50/3 Cotton..... perfect for machine quilting or decorative stitching. Silk Finish Multi 50/3 Cottonis available in subtle shades again ideal for machine quilting.

Fine Embroidery 60/2 Cotton.....comes in 152 colours perfect for quilting and hand applique. Ideal for bobbin for use as a bobbin thread

and

Poly Sheen and Poly Sheen Multi - Trilobal Polyester - in 350 colours. This thread has a 50% higher tear resistance -so no more broken threads! A colourfast thread even under extreme stress such as chlorine, bleach, friction and washing and ironong. Best used with a size 90 embroideery needle in your machine.

Or maybe

Metallic - Available in 200 and 400 metre spools. Great for creative and decorative stitching. Use a size 90 embroidery needle on your machine and Fine Embroidety cotton in your bobbin.

APRIL, MAY, JUNE and JULY Quilt Art classes, theres a lot more to quilting than you think!

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:26:16 +0000

Are you interested in QUILT ART................?

Tyne and Wear, Nothumberland, Tyneside.. calling all quilters...! This is the course for you. Let your imagination run riot ....... there's no boundaries. Make elegant embellished wall hangings, cards, small quilts, cushions ........designed by you.

Use all the latest brand new quilting machines in our purpose built classroom with lots of natural light. No need to bring your own machine!!

Quilt Art class dates and times are as follows:

Quilt Art Workshops

Saturday 17th April 10.00am-1.00pm & 1.30pm-4.00pm

Saturday 15th May 10.00am-1.00pm & 1.30pm-4.00pm

Saturday 19th June 10.00am-1.00pm & 1.30pm-4.00pm

Saturday 17th July 10.00am-1.00pm & 1.30pm-4.00pm

For more information call 08454309824, email or call in store to 217-219 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2SY