Hello Friday!

My lovely new table that can take both sewing machine and overlocker.

Excuse the mess - it’s a work in progress as I have had to rejig my work space.

Hello everyone. I know the weather isn’t ideal but we have a bank holiday weekend to look forward to. We can have an extra lie-in on Monday for those of us lucky enough not to be working. How has your week been? Claire and I were asked by the lovely ladies of the Dunvant WI to give a talk last week. I have to say I was very nervous as I am not very confident when it comes to public speaking however everyone was very welcoming. We had great feedback and lovely comments about our business and products.

We also managed to get on to The Big Wheel by Mumbles Pier. We were lucky to have sunshine and blue skies. We even managed to sit outside with a coffee at The Pier Cafe. It was great to be able to look at the coast from above. My photos don’t do it justice. Also this week I went to Plantasia Tropical Zoo for the first time with the gang from the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Day Club that I volunteer with. We all had a great time although I wasn’t too chuffed with all the creepy crawlies.

Nearly finished.

What do you think of the 1970s print?

I am busy making some new kimono style jackets ready for our next fair on May 11th & 12th. At the moment I have nearly finished one made in vintage fabric. What do you think? It’s very 1970s. I have also made one in a William Morris pattern. As you know we love our Japanese fabrics but I am enjoying sourcing these vintage patterns.

Claire and I are hoping that we can get outside and have some lovely walks by the sea this weekend and of course lots of sewing and crafting. Hope you all have a lovely bank holiday x Suzanne

Happy Friday!

Claire & I in Malaga

Happy International Women’s Day!

Hello everyone. Happy International Women’s Day! To celebrate #InternationalWomen’sDay I want to not just put the spotlight on Sister Makes but on all you lovely women out there. You do amazing things every day. We come in all shapes and sizes and we all have an interesting story to tell. We need to be kind to each other and help empower each other in all that we do.

We have got our first market of 2024 tomorrow and Sunday. We are in The Waterfront Museum, Swansea Marina at The Vintage and Makers Market run by the fab Cow and Ghost team. We are very excited as we have got some new makes which we will be showcasing there and then we will be putting them on our website www.sistermakes.co.uk. I will put a sneaky photo on here for you. We have started to make kimono style jackets which look equally lovely paired with jeans or a little black dress. Pop in and say hello.

Our new kimono style jackets

They are unique and quirky but also so easy to wear. We hope you love them as much as we do.

Claire and I have just come back from Malaga where the weather was fab! There was sun, sun, sun and it was warm. I had forgotten what that feeling was like. Malaga is a great city with lots to see and do. It was a fab break and a chance to recharge our batteries. Spring is definitely on its way here in sunny Swansea. The daffodils are looking bright and sunny and the nights are getting lighter. Have a lovely week x Suzanne

Happy Friday!

Hello everyone. I hope you have had a good week. My partner Rhod & I went to Cardiff to see the amazing Ludovico Einaudi. He is a modern classic composer. His music is beautiful and full of feeling. Check out his website or have a listen to his latest album ‘Underwater”. We enjoyed looking around the shops in Cardiff.

Claire and I have been busy getting ready for the Autumn Vintage & Makers Market at the National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre. It is run by the lovely Cow & Ghost Vintage Team. This is a first for us and we are looking forward to being at such a lovely venue. We have made our Christmas present shopping lists so can’t wait to see the other stalls.

Celebrate Halloween in style

A Red & Black Skull & Roses Japanese Knot Bag

Do you celebrate Halloween? We still have some lovely Halloween wreaths and knot bags on our website Sister Makes. We are also back on The Big Local Christmas Market which is online on Facebook. There are lots of lovely crafters, makers and traders offering great ideas for presents. Have a look and support local.

Ready for Christmas?

This lovely Red, Green & Tartan Christmas Rag Wreath makes a great addition to your Christmas decor

Have a lovely week and see you next week x Suzanne

Hello Friday!

Hello and happy Friday. I hope you’ve had a good week. Claire & I were at The Vintage & Makers Market in the National Waterfront Museum Swansea last weekend. It is run by the lovely Kevin & John of Cow & Ghost Vintage. As usual it was a busy weekend. We met lots of new people as well as some of our regular customers.

I’ve been away for a few days this week staying in Llangennith. It has been fab waking up to the sound of the sea and being able to see it through our window. Even though it’s only half an hour drive from home I feel like I’m a million miles away. I love walking barefoot on the beach and watching the waves. It blows away the cobwebs and clears my mind.

We’ve got a busy few weeks ahead preparing for some new markets. October 7th we have a guest spot at Kidwelly Market. This is a lovely market with lots of interesting vendors. We are then at The National Wool Museum in Drefach Felindre on October 28th. This is a Vintage and Makes Market hosted by Cow & Ghost Vintage. We are excited to be part of these markets. It’s always great to meet new people…vendors and customers alike.

Have a great week and see you next Friday x Suzanne

Hello Friday!

New crossbody handbag

Loving this new style

It has a detachable adjustable strap and a zipper closure with an outer zipped pocket and inner slip pocket

Well hello everyone on this gorgeous sunny Friday. How has your week been? We’ve been busy at Sister Makes. We were at The Heart of the Valley Show in Pontardawe last Saturday. It was a really lovely show. There was something for all the family plus the weather was great. It was a lovely start to September. We debuted our integrity scarves which were well received. Everyone loved the different colours.

This week we have been busy sewing for The Vintage and Makers Market at the Swansea Maritime Museum. We are there for the Saturday and Sunday. It is always a great weekend with many stalls full of antiques, vintage items and different crafts. Support your small local businesses. They have beautiful and unique gift ideas. There is a lot going on outside with a food festival in the museum square for the weekend and the Marina Outdoor Market on the Sunday.

We look forward to seeing you

It is free to get in

We have lots of bags including some new handbags as well as our signature rice and knot bags. They are all individual and quirky. Claire & I do love a bit of colour. We are showcasing our new handbags at the market this weekend but they are also on our website Sister Makes. Let us know what you think of them.

I know the children have gone back to school but hopefully you will get a chance to get out this weekend and in the evenings and enjoy the fabulous weather. Even a short walk in the evening is good for the soul. Have a lovely week and see you next Friday x Suzanne

Crossbody Handbags

Again these are great everyday bags which will get loads of use. The main body closes with a magnetic clasp on the flap and has a zipped outside pocket and an inside slip pocket.

Hello Friday!

Always a lovely market with lots to see and buy

Come and say hello

Hello everyone it’s very exciting our newsletter is launching this evening. I hope all our subscribers enjoy it. I had fun putting it together and am looking forward to writing the next one. For our first newsletter we are offering all our subscribers 10% off anything on our website over the next month. We have been busy this week sewing for our next fair which is on Saturday 2nd September. We will be at The Heart of the Valley Show in Pontardawe. This is a new show for us and it looks fantastic with lots of activities and stalls. There is something for all the family.

The following weekend 9th & 10th September we are at The Waterfront Vintage & Makers Market held at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. Lots going on. I can’t believe that September is almost on us. I hope you all get to enjoy the Bank Holiday Weekend. Hopefully we will get some sunshine. I would love to visit one of our lovely beaches and dip my toes in the sea! Have a lovely week x Suzanne

My cutting table….my favourite space

Prepping some patchwork place mats ready for The Heart of the Valley Show

Happy Friday!

A treasure from The Festival of Quilts.

One of the winners…isn’t it amazing! This is my favourite.

Hello Claire & I were away at The Festival of Quilts last week which is held every year in the NEC. We always stay for a few days and is our way of chilling and decompressing. We are always in awe of the skill of the quilters who exhibit and come away feeling inspired. Mind you we always come away with lots of fabric and a lighter bank balance as there is lots of amazing shopping as well! We can’t wait for next year already!

Now that we are back we are gearing up for The Heart of the Valley Show at Pontardawe on Saturday 2nd September. This is the first time that we have had a stand at this show and can’t wait to be part of it as there is so much going on throughout the day. It is being held at Pontardawe Sports & Recreation Ground and starts at 10am. Have a look at their website theheartofthevalleyshow.com for more information or follow them on Facebook. We are making lots of rice & knot bags in beautiful Japanese fabrics and some new stock. More information on these to come at the end of the month when we will be launching our first newsletter. Make sure you subscribe on our website Sister Makes to ensure you receive a copy. Have a lovely week with some sunshine fingers crossed x Suzanne

Quilting & patchwork doesn’t have to be only quilts.

Look at the beautiful choice of fabrics that have gone together to make this patchwork kimono dressing gown. I know I’m biased with my love of Japanese fabrics but it is gorgeous!

Busy! Busy!

Sorry if we have been a little quiet recently! We were busy getting ready for the Maritime Museum Maker and Vintage Fair.

It was a fab weekend and with the sun shining it proved to be excellent fun!

Back to making new stock now - and remembering to post more online!!