Happy Friday!
Isn’t this fabric gorgeous. Claire has made it into a lovely Japanese knot bag.
Hello everyone. How has your week been? I hope it has been joyful and productive. We love seeing how happy our customers are with their purchases. Liz who commissioned a cross body bag from us was so pleased with the finished product. She loved the fact that it was totally unique and no-one else would have the same bag. I also delivered a gorgeous purple and gold kimono style jacket to Diane also from Dunvant WI this week. Diane was also really happy with the jacket and the colours.
I’ve talked about Claire making our own fabric out of scraps in previous blogs and our last newsletter….well this week I have transformed it into a waistcoat. This is a pattern that I drafted myself and was really pleased with how it turned out. I have cut out my bias binding today which I will use to finish the waistcoat off. Did anyone see the Great British Sewing Bee this week. It was the reduce, reuse and recycle episode and they used scraps to both make and quilt a bag. It was different to how we use our scraps but very clever. We love reusing our materials as much as possible.
Next week I will be having a go at sewing a fitted waistcoat. I love that these have come back into fashion this year. They look good just as a top in itself or over a shirt or blouse. I will let you know how I get on next week. We have got our crochet plus workshop next Friday at Dunvant Farm Shop. We have one space left. If you are interested then book using our workshop page here. Our next workshop will be on Friday 19th July at Dunvant Farm Shop. This is an embroidery workshop where you will embroider your own tote bag. It’s a great way to explore all the beautiful stitches that embroidery has to offer and design something unique to you. Again all supplies including the tote bag will be part of the workshop. This can now be booked on our website as above. Have a lovely week and see you next Friday x Suzanne
Saturday Sunshine!
Happy Saturday everyone. How has your week been? There was no blog yesterday as Claire & I went on a day trip to Ilfracombe on The Waverley Paddle Steamer. It was brilliant seeing Swansea from a different point of view. The Waverley is a beautiful ship. We were gutted as wanted to sit outside as we crossed the Bristol Channel however the rain came down as we were leaving and didn’t stop until we got to Devon. It made for a bumpy crossing! Never mind. We had a lovely time in Ilfracombe. The crossing home was a lot better. No rain and a lot calmer.
It’s been a busy week. I finished one of my commissions but I can’t put a photo on the blog until next week as Liz is having her bag on Monday. I’ve loved the colours against the denim. Claire has been busy making a wall hanging for the Swansea Quilters Summer Exhibition.
Rhod & I went to the Field of Dreams Classic Car Show last Sunday. The weather was fantastic. It was so nice we went on our classic motorbike. There were lots of gorgeous cars on display plus entertainment for all ages. On Thursday evening we also went to see the lighting of a beacon on top of Oystermouth Castle to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. It was a very poignant moment. The castle had been decorated on the outside with poppies made by the Swansea Yarn Bombers. You can follow them on Facebook. Their display was amazing. The red of the poppies looked very dramatic cascading down the castle walls.
The poppies look great next to the Beacon
Beacons were lit all around the country at 9.15pm on the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Have a lovely week and I will see you next Friday x Suzanne
Happy Friday!
I love this knot bag - it’s so colourful.
Hello everyone. How has your week been? I’m typing this with the sun shining outside and my washing blowing on the line. I love being able to put my washing outside to dry. Little things but they make me happy. Rhod & I managed to go out for a walk and picnic near us. The weather was grey and cold but we enjoyed ourselves. Trying to get out for some fresh air everyday is vital to me, even if the weather isn’t good. It is good for my physical and mental health. It was lovely to be surrounded by nature although one of the swans did make us a bit nervous lol. Excuse the close up of my knees.
I managed to finish my quilt and took it to the lovely Julia from Swansea Quilters who is going to put it on her long arm quilting machine as it is too big to go through my sewing machine. I am so excited to see the finished quilt. Claire has been doing some more patchwork fabric. She has also created a new cross stitch pattern which she has put on our online shop as a PDF. You can have a look and buy it here. There will be more to follow. If you want to see more about these and access to an exclusive discount then subscribe to our newsletter. Our next one will be out tomorrow.
Do not adjust your screens! This is Claire’s new PDF. What a great idea for Christmas!
We are off to see a car show on Sunday 2nd June called Field of Dreams which is being held at Riverside Holiday Park, Ynysforgan Farm, Neath Road, Swansea SA6 6QL. Hope you all have a lovely week. See you next Friday x Suzanne
PS. I am not being paid by Ford. I have always fancied a Ford Mexico and loved this image!
Happy Monday!
Claire has been busy
Love this print…very vibrant
Hello and Happy Bank Holiday everyone. I thought I would post on a Monday for a change. How are you all? I hope you have had a lovely bank holiday weekend. It’s been a mixed bag of weather but we have managed to get out and about over the weekend. Rhod & I went to Clyne Gardens. We always love it there. It’s a great place to just sit and be, soak up the fresh air and listen to the breeze rustling through the trees. There was lots of colour from the rhododendrons and azaleas even after that mad storm we had in the week. How crazy was that storm! I’ve put some photos of the Japanese Bridge and waterfall at Clyne.
I have been busy making a quilt for an exhibition that Swansea Quilters are holding in August. I needed to get it done for the beginning of this week as the lovely Julia from Swansea Quilters is going to long-arm quilt it for me. I love seeing the quilt emerge as I sew the blocks together and put on the borders. I bought myself a gorgeous range of fabrics from the Festival of Quilts a few years back and didn’t know what to do with them. I knew I wanted to do a quilt but couldn’t make up my mind about a style. I then found this pattern in a magazine and knew it would make the prints pop. I love it!
I think the ginger jar blocks showcase the lovely prints
This will hopefully be a lap quilt…..mind you I might change my mind and put it on the wall
Claire has been busy making some tote bags for Adelante. Naomi was looking for a tropical feel to put in the window. I think Claire has delivered. I love the colours and patterns in her patchwork and the lining. They look very summery.
I promised to put on some pictures of the crochet workshop which took place when I was away. Everyone had a lovely time and no-one went without completing a granny square….even the complete beginners. It was so popular that we will be doing another one in June. I have put the details below.
This is our next workshop
If you want to book a place, just click here
What sort of week have you all got? Claire is busy with her patchwork. I will be working on some commissions. Whatever you are doing have a great week. See you on Friday x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
What do you think of this lovely mix of red and gold?
We love looking for different fabrics and patterns for our designs.
Hello everyone. How are you all? I am writing this blog from sunny Dawlish Warren in Devon. Rhod and I have been here on holiday this week. Although the weather hasn’t been great, we have dodged the showers and had some lovely warm sunny spells. We love Devon and Cornwall but have not been to East Devon before. We can highly recommend it. We have had a lovely time exploring the area mostly by train as it was so convenient. It was so nice to leave the car at our holiday home. Dawlish is a great place with lovely green spaces. Thankfully we have done a lot of walking as we have consumed fish and chips and many a cream tea. Yummy! We loved A La Ronde which is a National Trust property near Exmouth. It is a sixteen sided house with diamond shaped windows set in the joins of the house.
Before I went to Devon, Claire and I were at The Vintage and Makers Market in The Waterfront Museum. It was a lovely weekend. We met up with old customers as well as new. Our kimono style jackets were again popular as were our Japanese Knot Bags. The weather co-operated and lots of people were out and about. There were lots of events going on which was great to see. This is the same this weekend, for example, there is Swansea Pride tomorrow which will be going through the city centre and the Gower Cheese and Cider Festival is also on this weekend which will be at The Gower Heritage Centre.
Cheese and cider - what’s not to love!
Our Granny Square Crochet Workshop was this morning. We had to have a change of venue last minute unfortunately but thanks to the Dunvant Farm Shop everyone enjoyed. The amazing Karen and Laura are very patient teachers. They even managed to get Claire crocheting. I will let you know the date of our next workshop as we have to sort out a new venue. Next week I will be busy quilting and I will share what I will hopefully have completed with you next Friday. Have a lovely week x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
Hello everyone on this fabulous sunny and warm Friday. Hopefully this is the start of our summer. Claire & I are busy getting ready for the Vintage and Makers Market this weekend. Come in and say hello if you can. It is free entry and is open from 10am to 4pm. There is so much going on around Swansea this weekend. By the Waterfront Museum we have got the vintage car show on in the Marina square tomorrow all day and there is a steam engine on the museum green from 12pm to 3pm while on Sunday the Marina Food Market is on. What are you all up to this weekend - making the most of the sunshine.
I have been busy making some new kimono style jackets ready for the market and then they will be put on the website. I hope you like them. Claire has been busy making some Japanese knot bags to add to the display and I have also made a pair of patchwork cushions. Rhod and I managed to get out for a lovely walk on the bank holiday down Oxwich Bay. It is so beautiful there and the tide was right out.
Yes that is blue sky you can see - I loved capturing it in the sand. The tide was right out that day!
You can just make out Oxwich Bay Hotel in the distance.
Sorry for the shortish blog this week but I am now off to have a well-deserved lie down and a large glass of fizz. Have a lovely weekend and see you next Friday x Suzanne
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
Hello Friday!
Hello everyone. I hope you have had a good week. We have had a productive week at our Sister Makes HQs. I have finished my commission which I am really happy with. I have added some photos. What do you think? Lynne had a waistcoat that she loved to wear but could not find one similar so when she was in Adelante she asked Naomi if she could ask us to make one as she loved the fabrics that we used. I was happy to have a go. It is completely unique as I drafted a pattern using Lynne’s waistcoat. I used some floral fabric that Lynne liked and found some vintage buttons in my stash that compliment the fabric. Lynne now has a bespoke, unique waistcoat which I hope will give her many more years of joy.
Love the colours in the waistcoat.
It is now a bespoke garment that no-one else will own.
On Saturday Claire & I have our monthly Swansea Quilters meeting and this month we have got a talk called “Art to stitch and back again’ by Carol Bartlett. Sunday we are off to the Retro Fair which is being held at Mumbles Pier. It is free to enter and is on from 11am to 3pm. There will be lots of lovely finds from records to homewares. I might even have a go on the Big Wheel which is by the pier if the weather is okay. The views will be stunning looking out to sea. We might even see Devon if the weather is good.
Let’s hope it’s not too windy!
Looking forward to seeing Mumbles from a new angle.
Monday 22nd April is Earth Day and the theme this year is Planet vs Plastics and it aims to raise awareness of the harms of plastic pollution to us and to our planet. For further information have a look at their official website www.earthday.org. As you know Sister Makes tries to use as little plastic as possible. All our bags are plastic free and are great to use instead of a plastic bag. It is important to Claire and I to reuse, reduce and recycle where we can. We love looking for vintage fabrics and haberdashery.
Who needs plastic bags - not us.
Our knot bags are great for lots of different uses.
Claire & I have been invited to give a talk about what we do to the Dunvant WI next week. More about that in next week’s blog. In the meantime have a lovely week x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
Hello everyone how has your week been? Claire and Simon have been away, busy spending time with their grandchildren. There have been birthday parties and trips. Time goes by so quickly and they grow up so fast. The trip was great but poor Claire and Simon needed a rest when they got home. Spending time with loved ones is so important. The front cover of my blog shows the blossom starting to come out on my apple trees. It is not so good this year. I think it is because it has been so wet and windy. Never mind. I still get joy from looking out the windows and seeing the lovely pink and white flowers.
Our first workshop has been and gone which everyone enjoyed and we are looking forward to our next one in May which is a crochet workshop. I have included a poster with all the details on it. Please like it on social media and share it to others you think would enjoy it. We would be so grateful if you can as Facebook and Instagram are so important as a way to get information out to others. We will be doing workshops every third Friday from June onwards and I will share a list of what we will be doing. We will also make sure our website is updated. Have a look at our dedicated workshop page www.sistermakes.co.uk/workshops.
I love the colours and patterns - very spring like
I am busy working on a commission from a lovely lady that I met when Claire & I were dropping off some stock to Naomi at Adelante’s in Mumbles. I will share some photos on next week’s blog. I am also making a kimono style jacket out of some lovely vintage William Morris fabric that I found in my stash. Again photos to follow. Claire is busy as always making lovely new bags and scarves.
Again I love the colour and patterns of this beautiful Japanese Knot Bag
Have a lovely week. Hopefully the weather will perk up x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
The Folly at Clyne Gardens
Hello everyone. The week has flown by. How was your Easter? I hope you had a chance to get outdoors and dodge the showers. I managed to get a few walks in and stay dry. Today Rhod & I went to Clyne Gardens in Blackpill, Swansea. They never disappoint whatever season we are in. The colours were lovely and vibrant making us smile. There was even some sunshine! Don’t forget we have got our first workshop on 11th April at The Whirlybird Cafe in Swansea Airport. Our next one is Friday 17th May which will be a crochet workshop. Posters to follow. After that, our workshops will be held on the 3rd Friday of every month. Claire has set up a dedicated workshop page on our website where you can find all the up to date information.
Learn to make a Granny Square at our May Workshop
I have been busy getting our April newsletter out. If you want to subscribe, it is easy, just click on our website link www.sistermakes.co.uk and go to the bottom of our front page and sign up. There is a great discount code which is only open to subscribers. Claire has been busy updating our website and has put links to all our stockists such as Adelante and Cortile Coffee. I have been working on some commissions. A lady liked our vintage floral print bags in Adelante and has asked if we can make her a waistcoat using her own vintage waistcoat to work from. I love working on something so personal that will be unique to her and also be sustainable as it will be using vintage fabric.
One of our new Japanese knot bags - make sure to have a look at our website as Claire has been busy - she has put together some beautiful prints
Have a great week x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
Happy Good Friday everyone. I hope you are all well and for those of you not working today you are enjoying the sunshine. Officially Spring has already started but Easter is early this year and it is still raining and cold so to me it feels like Spring is around the corner nearly with us. For me, spring time is all about renewal and embracing positive change. It’s such a hopeful time of year, a time of fresh beginnings and longer days to help us be inspired. When the sun is out my mood improves and I want to be outside amongst the blossom and blooming flowers.
Claire and I are so lucky where we live. We have lots of green spaces and beautiful parks. My favourite is Clyne Gardens. This time of year it is alive with cherry and apple blossom and lots of rhododendrons in so many different colours. Parks are so important for us physically and mentally whether you are 1 or 100. Hopefully the weather will let us get out and visit our local parks over Easter.
At Sister Makes we have been busy making bags and scarfs to take to Adelante in Mumbles. Her shop is a joy to the senses. Everytime I go in there is something new that grabs my eye. There is so much colour which is what Claire and I love as you know. We are also looking forward to our first workshop on April 11th. Come and join us for three hours of fun and you will go home with your own bespoke mini rag wreath. You can book by clicking on this link www.sistermakes.co.uk/workshops.
Have a lovely week x Suzanne
Happy Friday!
Hello everyone. How’s your week been? Lots going on at Sister Makes HQs.
I have received some lovely feedback regarding my kimono style jackets so I have just finished a new one which I will put on the website along with the others that we showcased in the vintage and makers market. Apologies for the delay in putting them on our website but they will be up by Sunday. I have loved choosing the fabrics and this last one is one of my favourites.
Isn’t this fabric fantastic!
This is a size Large and is £45.00
We are so excited that the workshop for April 11th has gone live. You can book by clicking on www.sistermakes.co.uk/workshops and using the red booking button. Please share this with anyone you know who loves to learn a new craft. Claire has been busy getting the kits ready. The workshop is excellent value at £25.00 per person. All supplies are included and you get to take home a 6 inch mini rag wreath in colours that you have chosen. As a bonus there is a free hot or soft drink included. A workshop is a lovely way to meet other like minded people. In May we will be running a crochet workshop where you will learn how to make granny squares.
Claire has also been making stock for the lovely Adelante in Mumbles. If you haven’t been yet, Adelante is a fabulous fashion and vintage boutique. Naomi supports local makers as well as stocking clothing which is original and quirky.
Hope you have a lovely week x Suzsnne
Happy Friday!
Hello everyone. Hope you have had a great week. Lots going on at Sister Makes. We are launching a new look and logo. Let us know what you think. We have gone for a more minimalist feel and love the new colours of blue and white with a pop of red and green. We are currently updating our website and putting on some new photos. A lot has happened since we first thought of Sister Makes back in 2021. Where has that time gone?
Our new kimono style jackets
They are so easy to wear - you can dress them up or wear with casual wear
We did our first market of 2024 last weekend and had a lovely time seeing old customers and traders and meeting lots of new people as well. Our new jackets went well and we had positive feedback. I am busy making some new ones. Bear with me as I am not the fastest on the sewing machine! All our jackets like our other products are unique and quirky. A lot of the fun for us is choosing which fabrics to use for our projects.
How exciting! In 2024 we will be running some craft workshops along with Dragon Emporium.
Our first workshop will be making mini rag wreaths on the 11th April at the WhirlyBird Cafe in Swansea Airport.
This week we have been meeting up with the lovely Karen & Laura of Dragon Emporium to design the poster for our first new workshop. We are very excited about running these workshops as we all love to share our love of crafting.
Book our very 1st workshop via this link https://www.picktime.com/craftworkshop
Have a great week 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
Hello Friday!
Hello how has your week been? Happy St David’s Day. The daffodils are out and looking gorgeous. They make me think of Spring. The colour yellow always makes us feel warm and make us smile.
Our first Market is coming up soon. Come and join us if you can. We will be at The Vintage and Makers Market held in The Maritime Museum, Swansea Marina on Saturday 9th March and Sunday 10th March. There will be lots of fabulous stalls with great gift ideas for Mother’s Day and Easter. We will have some new items which we will be showcasing. I can’t wait to get some feedback. Have a look at our newsletter to see what they are.
Happy St David’s Day
Have a great week x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
A new fabric - certainly makes our Japanese Knot Bags pop
It’s a lovely gift for Mothers Day
Hello everyone how has your week been? At Sister Makes HQs we have been busy making and sewing. I have put a little taster of what we are up to on the front cover of our blog. All will be revealed in our March Newsletter! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. All our subscribers get a special discount each month. We have been dodging the showers. Yes it is still raining although there are signs of Spring all around us. The daffodils are looking lovely. They always make me feel happy. I think it is all the shades of yellow. It is so nice to see the seasons change and flowers starting to bloom. We enjoy Clyne Gardens when all the Magnolias and Camellias show their amazing colours. The Japanese love using flowers in their art including in their fabrics. We in turn love using these fabrics in our makes. Talking of fabric, we have some great new patterns which Claire has transformed into some Japanese Knot and Rice Bags.
Had a great day in Cowbridge today. We went to take some stock to Cortile Coffee but we always end up spending a few hours having lunch and looking around the independent stores. There is something for everyone. We always love an excuse for coffee and cake. Have a fantastic week x Suzanne
Some of our stock at Cortile Coffee
The colours really pop against the bare stone
Hello Friday!
Adelante, Newton Road, Mumbles
What a fabulous display even better with our scarf and rice bags. They look great.
Hello everyone. I hope you have had a great week. Apologies to you all as last week the blog went out before I had completed it. I am not losing the plot honestly! I don’t know what happened. Half term has been and gone. The weather hasn’t been co-operative although it was glorious on Monday. Looking forward to spring. It’s great seeing the daffodils starting to come out. They make me smile. We had some good news. Naomi from Adelante in Mumbles has started stocking some of our Japanese rice bags and knot bags. There are also a selection of our infinity scarves. We always feel so proud seeing our products displayed in the shop window. If you haven’t been in to Adelante you are missing out. It is full of quirky and interesting goodies. Naomi loves to showcase local makers but also stocks vintage and retro clothing, jewellery and homewares. There is something for everyone. You can find Adelante on Facebook and Instagram as adelante_mumbles. We are busy making some new stock at the Sister Makes HQs. Lots going on which I will be sharing with you in our March Newsletter. Have a great week x Suzanne
A new rice bag
Claire has been busy. We have got some new fabrics with gorgeous designs on them.
Hello Friday!
Hello everyone. How has your week gone? Hope you have got lots of lovely things planned for the weekend. The weather is starting to feel a bit more spring like. I spotted some snowdrops when I was out for a walk. It is so lovely when you see the flowers starting to bloom.
Claire and I have been busy getting back into our sewing spaces. I am writing our newsletter. It will be going out on the first Friday of the month. I shall be sharing a peek of one of our new makes. We hope you like them as much as us. Part of what we will be making in 2024 will be tied to one of our passions which is quilting and we belong to Swansea Quilters. Claire and I are always inspired every time we go to meetings by the skills of the lovely ladies many of whom have been members for many years.
Red Heart Rag Wreath
A beautiful mixture of textures and colours make up this lovely heart shaped rag wreath.
Valentines Day is coming up on the 14th February. We still have some heart wreaths on our website. Check out our shop on www.sistermakes.co.uk/shop. There are also some lovely new Japanese knot bags which Claire has made. Leave our website open for your partners to see.
The Six Nations rugby tournament is due to start this weekend. Rugby is part of our Welsh DNA. We have some welsh themed knot bags which are great for being hands free when you are cheering your favourite team or celebrating with a drink or two!
Welsh Theme knot bag
Ideal for all you Welsh fans.
Have a lovely week. See you next Friday x Suzanne
