Upcoming One Day Workshops

There are a number of one day workshops being held this term at Leith Academy. The first one is 'Floral Fabric Accessories' on this Saturday 5th October from 10am-3pm. In this workshop you will make at least five different floral accessories using a variety of materials. The class is fun and inspiring, and no prior sewing experience is required. £5 is to be paid to the tutor for all materials etc. provided on the day.

The other workshops are 'Clasp Purses' on Saturday 19th October, and 'Cushion Covers and Zipped Purses' on Sunday 20th October. No sewing experience is necessary for any of the workshops, although a basic level is helpful for these two workshops as we will be using the sewing machines.

Each workshop costs £17.50 for the day. To book a place on any of the above workshops call Leith Academy on 0131 553 2810.

Beautiful Outer Hebrides

My trip to the Outer Hebrides was amazing. Really inspirational. I knew the scenery would be unique and beautiful, but I didn't realise how much like a piece of tweed the scenery would resemble. Or how the light and weather would change every minute to renew your vista and ignite your senses.

On the ferry from North Uist to Harris

Arriving in Harris

Harris

Evening view from my hotel bedroom, Stornoway, Lewis

Morning view from my hotel bedroom, Stornoway, Lewis

10% off Maker of the Month at Concrete Wardrobe

This September as 'Maker of the Month' at Concrete Wardrobe on Edinburgh's trendy Broughton Street, I'm showcasing an increased range of my work and introducing new products. Check out my new iPad clutch bags and iPod/phone holders. On Saturday 28th September, as an extra autumn treat, there is 10% off all my range at Concrete Wardrobe. Pop in or contact the shop through Facebook. Enjoy!

The Big Craft Giveaway trip to the Outer Hebrides

A couple of weekends ago, I had the privilege of travelling up to the Outer Hebrides to deliver craft workshops to school kids and members of the public as part of The Big Craft Giveaway. The Big Craft Giveaway took place this Saturday 21st September across Scotland. A number of museums and galleries took part. Handmade pieces of craft were given out, free of charge to members of the public, either at designated locations or through 'wild releases', turning up at places you'd least expect them. You may have been enjoying a coffee in your local cafe, and a beautiful craft object appeared on your saucer?

Here are some of the objects made on Benbecula and Lewis. The objects were inspired by Museum nan Eilean's current exhibition 'Weather, And A Sense Of Place' and were made using donated tweed from the islands. 

The Story of the Musette; Part 3

Here are the final finished Musettes. In the studio, and more importantly, on the Stolen Goat website, ready to purchase. In fact, they're already selling fast. And, I noticed in the new August British Vogue, there's a new 3.1 Phillip Lim bag which is in a very similar vein. 

Marion Leaves Scotland

Last week my very helpful and lovely student assistant Marion completed her 8 weeks work experience at my studio and returned to France. She'll now never know that temperatures north of Calais can reach over 20 centigrade!

On her final day we ate homemade chocolate cake and I gave her a pink Bow Clutch for all her hard work. She has been a great help to me over the past two months, and I will miss her!

The Story of the Musette; Part Two

With the dimensions of the musette set by tradition, there were still a number of design decisions to be made, including finding the perfect colour for a smart urban tweed musette? It needs to be modern, practical, interesting and wearable. It also needs to go with black, as black is integral to the Stolen Goat brand identity. In the end three colour-ways were selected; River Blue, Forest Green and Rolling Moss. 

Here's some of the process.

Cutting the pattern. 

The backs cut out.

 The fronts cut out with zipped pockets ready.