Big Hello from Sue, our new Floor Supervisor

 

 

"Welcome to Craftland. Is there anything I can help you with?"  These are the words you’ll hear when you come to Craftland and be met by me, Sue, the new Floor Supervisior. I am new to the shop, but have been with Craftland since November 2012, working at the warehouse as manager of our sewing room.  Im pictured here at our demonstration table in the shop in Jumeirah featuring some of our recommendations for knitting and crochet, including beautiful yarns, introductory kits and samples of patterns available in the shop.

I not only here to greet and help you, I also co-ordinate classes and help book private classes. If you’re a club member, I also host all our clubs on a Wednesday morning. I work Sunday to Thursday and Monday evenings. So if you have any questions about anything in the shop or want help booking a class, please do not hesitate to ask for me. I look forward to meeting and greeting all of you.

New Embroidery Classes

Hey folks, Jessica Embroidery here!

Today I just wanted to let you know that we have made a couple of changes to the embroidery class schedule. Some techniques always prove to be more popular than others so we have decided to replace a couple of our least popular classes with projects which you will hopefully love.

First off, we’re saying goodbye to floral fun (ribbonwork) and hello to monograms! Our monograms are pre-printed onto the fabric and include a combination of ribbonwork and freehand embroidery stitches. This class is suitable for beginners, you will learn a variety of stitches and we think they make the perfect personalised present for a loved one, unless of course you’d like to make a beautiful embroidery just for you.

Monogram in Ribbon Embroidery

Next up it’s farewell to canvaswork and howdy to our gorgeous Sarah Kay panels! Like the monograms these designs are pre-printed onto fabric and there are tons to choose from. This class requires a little experience of embroidery as it includes quite a wide range of embroidery techniques from trapunto padding and applique to freehand embroidery and ribbonwork.

Sarah Kay ribbon embroidery

Both of these new classes allow you to broaden your knowledge of embroidery while creating something fun and unique.  You can pick and choose your own threads, ribbons and stitches and really let your creativity run wild. The beauty of working on printed panels is that you don’t have to cover the piece in embroidery, although of course you can if you want to. So book now to avoid disappointment! Full details on our website at www.mycraftland.com.

And last but not least if you wish to take either of the discontinued classes or learn any other techniques don’t forget we offer private tuition. Pop into the shop or email our class coordinator for more information- sue@mycraftland.com.

Embroidery at Craftland

Today I'd like to introduce myself to you all, I'm Jessica Aldred, the embroidery teacher and general embroidery guru at Craftland.

Canvaswork class sample

I trained to be a professional designer and embroiderer at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN) in the UK, and over three years I learnt 30 different hand embroidery techniques as well as restoration and conservation and art and design. After graduating I went to work in costume at the Royal Opera House in London where I bought and maintained the materials used to make the costumes. I worked on operas such as Madame Butterfly and Tosca and also for The Royal Ballet . After three years there I returned to the RSN where I spent four years working as the education coordinator. During that time I was hugely honoured to be a member of the team who produced the embroidery for the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress and veil. In 2011 my first book was published- Adventures in Needlework- which I co-authored with Emily Peacock who is well known in the UK for her bright, contemporary needlepoint kits.

Last year my husband and I moved to Dubai as a result of his job, but it was a timely move for me- I was ready for a fresh start. I soon discovered Craftland and was very impressed with their shop, classroom and team of experts, so I was thrilled when they offered me a job! Since I started I've been busy teaching, helping to select new stock for the shop, developing classes, designing and making samples and preparing for the embroidery clubs. In addition to the photograph above here are some of the new class samples I've created;

Goldwork class sample

Stumpwork class sample

Our classes start up again on 15th September and for embroidery there's now a clear path of progression from classes for complete beginners up to more complex and advanced techniques. If you're not sure where to start or what the different techniques are pop in to the shop, give us a call or email our class coordinator iman@mycraftland.com.

Our embroidery club resumes on 2nd October and for those of you who don't know about our clubs they're held once a month and bring together groups who like to share their enthusiasm for a particular form of craft. During the clubs there's a 'make and take'- we provide you with a kit for a small project which introduces you to a new technique or product. There's also guest speakers and a show and tell- we love to see what you're creating at home too!

And last but not least embroidery clinics are on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9:30pm and Tuesday mornings from 9:30am to 12noon. The clinics are for you to bring your own project and get expert help and advice, although if you just fancy hanging out and stitching with like minded people you're always welcome.

You can see our class descriptions, prices and full schedule here. If you'd like to know more about me and my work you can visit my website here. Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you at Craftland soon.

Book Classes At Craft Land on TheCurve-ME.com

Fabulous new adult classes booking site - TheCurve-ME.com has launched in Dubai so you can now book your Craft Land class online!

Simply go onto www.TheCurve-ME.com and choose your Craft Land class - select, pay by credit card, sorted!

Life just gets better :-)