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Beautiful Things HQ

Sewing and Craft Classes in Brentwood, Essex

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Raising awareness

One of the ways we like to raise awareness of Beautiful Things is to raise awareness of other local businesses and charities.  In return for doing a good deed or two we can raise our profile too.

This is one of the reasons we chose to work with Brighter Opportunities in Supported Play or BOSP for short.

BOSP is a locally based charity offering respite activity for children and young adults with disabilities.  Whether its an after school group, youth club or simply taking a group of youngsters to the cinema, BOSP make living a normal everyday life a possibility for both the children and their families.

BOSP logo is a sweet little star and when the charity approached us in 2014 to make a few stars they could use for a competition we jumped at the idea.  We held our 1st star making day in November 2014 and a group of regular pupils from BTHQ got together to make over 20 felt stars.

We also developed a pattern and instruction book so that others could make stars too.  Subsequently those stars have travelled all over the world with people posting snap shots of their stars in all sorts of famous places from the Taj Mahal to the Grand Canyon!  You can check out their travels by searching the hashtag #BOSPtravellingstar

As it had been a while since we last worked with BOSP we held another star making day last week.  You have been looking at some of the photos from the day throughout this post.

The great news is that  the funds from the sale of the last batch of stars went towards buying a new mini bus for the group.  Here we all are pictured with the bus that BOSP has recently purchased.

It’s great to do something good now and again.  If you want to help BOSP and make a few stars then please feel free to download the pattern from our site.  Geoff in the Remnant shop in Brentwood is also happy to offer you 10% discount on yellow felt if you mention you will be making BOSP stars with it.

We made 25 star softies and 25 mini stars which will be made into keyrings.  These will be available at various BOSP events during the year, or if you drop them a line via Twitter they will be only too happy to sell you one to take on it’s travels!

Happy sewing.

 

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BTHQ on Instagram

beautifulthingshq

Its payday and we've added heaps of new stock to o Its payday and we've added heaps of new stock to our shop. Colourful bright quilting cottons. Beautifully soft viscose wovens and jersey and some Frida Kahlo canvas too!!

Shipping is flat rate to the UK or you can click and collect from the store. Alternatively, pop down and stroke it in person. BTHQ is open 10 till 4 today.
Today we are delighted to be introducing a new cha Today we are delighted to be introducing a new challenge to you that is free to join in with.  We hope it will encourage you to try something new.

The 'Sew out of your comfort zone challenge' is designed to encourage you to create something that you wouldn't normally try, or to venture into a new sewing territory.

Maybe there is a pattern you think just wont suit you, but you've seen lots of other people making it and are tempted to give it a try.  Maybe there is a new technique you've always wanted to have a go at but have been to scared to try.  You might have been sewing for years but have never tried a particular fabric or method before.

Sandra has always avoided the Tilly & The Buttons Indigo dress as it has soooo much gathering and she thought it would not be all that flattering.  But she's seen me wearing my many versions and has now decided to give it a go.

I have made lots of jumpsuits but have never worked with Scuba before or a Deer and Doe pattern so I'm giving it a go for the first time.

Join us during Februrary and pick something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.  Be sure to post your progress on social media using the hashtag #sewoutofmycomfortzone and we can all hold your hand in the process.
We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I mean Closet Core poufs! 😂
We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 to We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 today showing you all of the beautiful fabrics we now have in stock. Link in our stories
Ooooh have we had a fun day today!! This is just h Ooooh have we had a fun day today!! This is just half of our new stock. We can't wait to share it with you in the next couple of days.
Hi it’s Sandra. I’ve finished my first project Hi it’s Sandra. I’ve finished my first project on my #makenine2023 list. It’s the Atlas Bag by Swoon patterns. It looks so pretty but I don’t like it! I used a vinyl that I realised I didn’t have enough of, so lined the straps in cotton, but don’t like that they are then facing upwards with the lining.
The straps are also ridiculously  long. The bag is much too wide for my shoulders so isn’t comfortable to wear. Never mind, good reason to try another pattern!
We had a great session this morning learning to ma We had a great session this morning learning to make Roman Blinds. Everyone is always amazed at how very simple they are to make and how many super sewing tricks they learn in this class.
We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a new term. More fabulous quilted boxes whizzed up in their 1st session.
We've just had an exciting delivery. All new class We've just had an exciting delivery. All new classroom machines for our workshop. Now you can try before you buy across the range of Janomes computerised machines.
@sew59sandra is very happy today. She's treated h @sew59sandra is very happy today. She's  treated herself to the Atelier 6 sewing machine from Janome. It's currently on special offer until Feb 9th and includes a free quilting kit.
We still have 2 places left on this fabulous cours We still have 2 places left on this fabulous course this Saturday.  Claire will be showing you how to make something wonderful from your scrap fabrics using the Creative Grids Scrap Crazy templates. 

Not only is this a great scrap project you can also create beautiful planned quilts from fabric bought specifically for your own designs.  The templates are so versatile that they can be used to seamlessly create beautiful designs.  Come and enjoy the magic as Claire talks you through lots of different options and leave the class with your own set of templates to play with at home worth £29.99!!
It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettl It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettle is always on, and there is always room on our couch or craft table for you to pop on for a chat or a bit of knitting or crochet.

There's no need to book. Just come on down. We are open 10 till 4. Free of charge, just pop a donation in the tin for your drinks.
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