Newsletter - July 2008

We get awfully lonely without you

Yes, we know. Fuel prices go up and everybody is trying to save money, but it gets awfully lonely in the shop without you. And like all other small businesses we would like to continue to be there for you through the good times and the bad, so ...

We are of the very firm opinion that sewing is a necessity and not a luxury (for many of us, sewing is what keep us sane ...well, relatively sane, anyway). So save on alcohol, cigarettes, eat porridge for a week if you have to, car-pool with friends to go shopping and support the smaller shops, who are often cheaper than the big guys anyway. Re-prioritize your life and save on un-necessary luxuries (of which sewing is NOT one).

Think back to your parents and grandparents lives, who somehow survived without everyone in the family having mobiles, Pay-TV, mum’s taxi to every after-school activity, fast food and so on. And maybe you, with your sewing machine, could make a statement too. How much money would you save if you, or your kids ( or grandchildren) didn’t have to get brand new clothes but got creative about doing your own fashion-design either re-vamping something that has become a bit “tired” in your ward-robe or buy something cheap and plain and jazz it up to look like a million dollars. Apart from the money saved, you get SOOO much pleasure from everyone’s comments if you have made it yourself. And you WILL get comments - guaranteed.

Well, fortunately it is that time of year again .... Tax time. And hopefully there will be somewhat of a tax-refund for you (or your other half) and what better time to up-grade your machine, get into embroidery or finally get that over-locker you have always wanted. And if you do feel you need to justify the purchase with anyone, just tell them how much money you will SAVE by being able to do your own repairs, make clothes for yourself, kids, make gifts, home-furnishing etc. etc. For my husband, the biggest benefit he claims is how much free time HE gets while I’m busy with my sewing (so I’m not bothering him with jobs he has to do ....) Anyway, you can use that too, if you think that will work for you!!!!

So, in the spirit of SAVING, we’d love to hear from you how you can save with your sewing. How have you saved money by sewing or how can you save on your sewing-related expenses? Please e-mail us with your tips or stories and we will publish them on the web-site (you can remain anonymous if you wish) so that we can all share, save and keep sewing. Just click on the link below to add your tips:

My Tip For Saving with Sewing

On another note we have some new exciting products that will intereswt anyone who wants to try something a bit different.

Shiva Paint-sticks have been featured in the latest Machine Embroidery magazine. We also have books showing what fatastic results you can get on your fabric using these paint-sticks with stencils, rubbing plates and brushes. Our textile art classes at the end of August will be featuring The Shiva Paint Sticks so if you are curious or interested, book now to secure your seat. These sticks are a must for any textile Artist and schools will find them very useful as an addititional tool for the students.

We have also just got in some wonderful Kashmir Sari Ribbons - great for embellishing your projects from clothes to handbags with some bright and cheerful colours. Great for students, embellisher owners and anyone who loves frayed edges. Certainly a cheap way to add a lot of 'pizzaz'.

For those lucky enough to own the new Pfaff Creative Vision, we have a new workbook by Melinda Pirane that takes you step by step through using the functions on your machine.

Anso finally, check out calendar of classes to see if now is the time to brush up on those sewing skills.

Hope to see you soon and we don't mind if you car-pool to get here,

The Team at Zig Zag Sewing