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Beautiful Things HQ

Sewing and Craft Classes in Brentwood, Essex

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Worry Worms – A crochet tutorial

I'm so glad you've found my Worry Worm Tutorial.  You can download your rhyme sheet below worry worm rhyme sheet The written pattern is as follows: Ch 30 Working 4dc in all but the final stitch, allowing the work to spiral.  Be careful not to twist your foundation chain In the final stitch work 10tr Fasten with a ss at the base of the neck/head ... continue reading...

Crochet poppy – online tutorial and pattern

I've created this free tutorial and accompanying pattern to raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal. You can make your donation here: https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/pages/make-a-donation The downloadable pattern can be found here: Poppy crochet pattern The Video file is available to watch on YouTube. ... continue reading...

Pom Pom Puddings

You have likely found this post after watching my YouTube tutorial to make pom pom puddings If you are looking for the PDF instructions and templates you can download them here: Pom Pom puddings If you'd like to find out when I upload new tutorials to this blog, videos to my YouTube and share my top tips then please make sure you sign up to my mailing list to be notified of all the exciting free content that's available.  There is a nice big box to the right of the screen that you can ... continue reading...

Small simple sewing projects

Looking to make some super simple sewing projects? Making for Christmas or for a craft fair or stall? I've put together all of my projects both FREE and PAID FOR into one big list so you can easily access the items you want to make. FREE PROJECTS Teabag holder Hair scrunchies Scissor keeper Needlebook Patchwork pin cushion Baby blanket Tissue pouch Pattern weights Poundland tote bag - cushion All my YouTube tutorials can be found in 1 handy playlist ... continue reading...

How to cut fabric accurately

This video forms part of our course, Learn to sew from scratch - Beginners Sewing 101 We thought it was a useful video to share with the world, so have now made it free to view.  If you like what you see and fancy trying our beginners course then it is currently on sale during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Cutting Out from Claire Mackaness on Vimeo.   ... continue reading...

Beautiful Things Loo Roll Challenge

This weeks kids craft is a little bit different. A 'LOO ROLL' CHALLENGE!!! Watch the live stream below and then scroll down for more details Rules: There are 2 categories Kids & Adults Create something fun and amazing from loo rolls You must share your FINISHED MAKE on social media and tag Beautiful Things on either Instagram or facebook by midnight on Sunday 17th May for it to be entered Only loo rolls can be used in the creation of your project, no kitchen paper ... continue reading...

All the stash busting sewing tutorials in 1 place!

free sewing pattern

Those of you who have followed Beautiful Things for some time will know I have a YouTube channel where I post a weekly behind the scenes vlog of my working life as well as lots of craft tutorials and videos. On that channel is a playlist of all of my tutorials.  You can find it HERE But I thought I'd go through it with a fine-tooth comb and post some of the sewing ones that you can do while you are in isolation with little to no materials.  If you are a crafter you've doubtless got a good ... continue reading...

FREE online craft classes for kids during the school closure

Hi,  I'm Claire Mackaness, owner of Craft Classes @ Beautiful Things. I would like to invite you to join me for some craft classes with your children. These classes came about as a way of home educating my own children during the current school closure caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. All parents are having to join forces to try and offer their children a varied schedule of work that allows them to continue to be educated whilst trying to maintain jobs and family life. It's going ... continue reading...

Neon Rainbow T-shirt tutorial

Here is my latest FREE tutorial for you. I'd love to show you how to make a fun Neon Rainbow T-shirt using Heat Transfer Vinyl. You don't need to have a fancy cutting machine or heat press to make this project. You can simply use scissors and your home iron. If you do have a Cricut, Silhouette Cameo or Brother Scan & Cut machine though, they can be used too. Here is the video tutorial and you will find all the materials and links below: Here is my Cricut design space file ... continue reading...

Spring themed Cricut project

Here are the details for the Spring themed embroidery frame I made recently on my Facebook Live (Video will be uploaded here after the event) You will need the following materials Cricut Maker Machine (All other models will not cut bonded fabric) Fabric (Ideally 100% Quilting cotton) - The spring fabric used is linked HERE Steam-A-Seam or Heat n Bond An embroidery hoop HTV You will need to download the PNG Files Here by right-clicking the image and saving to your ... continue reading...

Pimp up your tote sewing tutorial – Zip pouch and handle switch out

Take a plain tote and pimp it up with the addition of a zipper pouch and a handle switch. Sew up a pouch and add it to the front or inside of your bag and replace the handles with something funky. Watch the YouTube video below for full instruction or scroll down further for written details and sizes. Here's how: Cutting guide - 14" x 10" Pouch outer (cut 1) | 14" x 10" Pouch lining (cut 1) | 26" x 5" Handles (cut 2) | 12" zipper (minimum) Place outer and lining right ... continue reading...

How to make a vinyl or faux leather scissor keeper

These sweet little scissor keepers are really quick and simple to make.  You will need to download your Scissor keeper (vinyl) PDF (this is different from our fabric scissor keeper PDF) and gather together some basic materials before you start. You will need: Small piece of vinyl or faux leather Small piece of felt KAM snap or press studs Co-ordinating thread for your sewing machine Instructions: Print out your Scissor keeper PDF (print at 100% or actual size) Cut ... continue reading...

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Look at this stunning table runner Alison has been Look at this stunning table runner Alison has been working on at BTHQ over the last few days.

We just love the colours and how she's tried out all of the embroidery stutches on the @janomeuk DKS100SE machine.

This class is available to book in the studio over 2 days or 4 half days and is coming out as an online workshop for next year!!!

Platinum members of our VIP sewing club will get it this summer!!
Laura & Wendy will be twinning on their way to wor Laura & Wendy will be twinning on their way to work in these fabulous @sewoveritlondon Eve dresses

Made against the recommendation of a woven fabric (ssshhhh) in cotton jersey from our shop.
Purchase any plain cotton jersey and a patterned j Purchase any plain cotton jersey and a patterned jersey + order some A0 printing and we will throw in a free pack of stretch needles.
We had a lovely Heirloom Club this morning, but se We had a lovely Heirloom Club this morning, but seem to have done more talking than photography of our makes!
Freddie Fox is very pleased that he finally has an outfit underway, just need something special for his cravat
We've had another lovely fabric delivery and have We've had another lovely fabric delivery and have some fabulous new prints to share with you.

Join Claire LIVE on her YouTube channel at 11am on Wednesday 15th March when she will show you them all individually and make her pattern suggestions.
We have made the decision to no longer stock print We have made the decision to no longer stock printed patterns and focus on using our wonderful A0 printer (Colin the Canon).

We have a small stock of Tilly & The Buttons printed patterns in stock at the moment and have therefore reduced them all on the website by 25%

If you are a printed pattern fan and like a good old instruction book then grab yourself a bargain before they are all gone.

https://www.beautifulthingshq.com/product-category/fabric/patterns/
Would you like your own handmade holiday wardrobe Would you like your own handmade holiday wardrobe to rival Sandras? Join our free dressmaking journey challenge starting Monday 13th March and we can help you with a plan of action.
If you were not one of the lucky winners of our St If you were not one of the lucky winners of our Stitch Festival tickets but still want to go along, then we are pleased to be able to offer you a discount code:

BEAUTIFULTHINGS23

The discount is £2 off standard adult / concession tickets booked before 11.59pm Wednesday 22nd March 2023. Offer not valid on Sunday 26th March. Booking fee applies. 
 

*Save £2.00 on adult and concession tickets when quoting discount code at checkout. To purchase tickets, visit www.thestitchfestival.co.uk. Not valid on child, VIP or group tickets and cannot be used on Sunday 26th March. £3.50 transaction fee applies per e-ticket order (for any number of e-tickets purchased), and a £3.95 transaction fee applies per postal ticket order. T&Cs apply. Discount expires 11:59pm 22nd March.
If you are like me and have an ever growing 'colle If you are like me and have an ever growing 'collection' of fabric then why not release it from the shelf and turn it into something?

The perfect opportunity for it's release is to book a day or two at our BTHQ retreat in May.  Time dedicated purely to crafting and no external distractions.

Holiday Inn Brentwood 13th & 14th May 2023
CONGRATULATIONS We've drawn our winners for the S CONGRATULATIONS

We've drawn our winners for the Stitch Festival tickets. 

Katie Cope, Wendy Murphy, Donna White, Jane Richardson (facebook) and essex_girl_knits (Insta)

Please get in touch via email to beautifulthingshq@gmail.com to claim your tickets.  You must be able to attend on one of the days that the show is open and will be allocated 2 tickets each so you can bring a friend.
This is my final holiday post, it’s a stretch ve This is my final holiday post, it’s a stretch version of the Sew Over It Eve dress. Thanks so much to my sister Julie for taking loads of photos (and it was great fun!)
If you would like to build up your holiday/summer wardrobe then give us a call/email/message or head to BTHQ and we can help you get started!
Todays holiday outfit is the Sirocco jumpsuit by D Todays holiday outfit is the Sirocco jumpsuit by Deer and Doe. When Claire picked this pattern for her #sewoutofmycomfortzone I decided to take the leap too - and I love it!!!
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