MakeHQ

I've had to resurrect this thread as I have finally got round to visiting House of Linens in Sydenham and I love it! Great selection of super cheap wool, needles (not so many bamboo, but plenty of metal/plastic including circulars, DPNs etc). Also has a great range of haberdashery - buttons, sewing thread, bias binding etc etc. They lady also told me they are going to start stocking fabric by the metre from next week as well which will hopefully stop us schlepping to Lavender Hill/Lewisham all the time. Well worth a trip (and don't be put off by the outside), especially as its such great value for money, although don;t go if you want big names/fancy stuff. Hurray! Its MakeHQ's new favourite :D Mel

Bunting (or sewing generally) is not a contemporary craft (although it is quite trendy at the moment), its as old as the hills. The aim of our workshops is not necessarily to innovate with new crafts, but to re-energise crafts which are dying out (knitting, crochet, making your own clothes and beauty products etc). We think its a shame that people who are no longer taught them as a matter of course when at school or via their mothers/grandmothers. I think these things are particularly relevant today when we are encouraged to save money, reuse things, recycle etc. There is no race/class issue there. The contemporary aspect of what MakeHQ does is in the setting/environment/items we produce. No more fuddy duddy things in musty old school halls for weeks on end, but a fun evening out after work/when the kids are in bed. We were asked to run a workshop for the WI which was a) functional (the WI will use the bunting for their cake stands etc) b) collaborative (everyone participated in its production) and c) a good night out. I think we achieved that. I can assure you that the people who attend our classes are not "the middle classes who live in a bunting bubble" but come from all backgrounds, races, ages and sexes (yes, men sew too!). One of the things I really liked about the WI meeting was the fact that it is a chance to meet people of different ages and from different backgrounds. I'm intrigued - what type of things would you like to see on offer, and how do you think it could be more inclusive? I'm not actually part of the WI, but I am sure they would be really interested to hear your ideas (as am I - I am always trying to come up with classes that I think people would enjoy and want to attend). Mel MakeHQ

MakeHQ rant the bunting workshop for the WI last week, and it was great fun. You can check out pictures on our website here: MakeHQ Flikr Feed We had nearly 40 people there including 9 new members. Its not very cutting edge I guess, but it was a really nice way to spend an evening with like minded women and have a chance to be creative. The age range was from (I guess) early 20s to 60s - with a significant contingent of 20/30 somethings. Its not particularly mumsy - there are allsorts of ladies there, most of whom come straight from work. Its held the first Wednesday of every month in the upstairs room at The Magnolia on Lordship Lane from 7.30pm. Next month is a talk by somebody from Dulwich Picture Gallery, and the month after is a quilting session from one of the V&A exhibition ladies. They also do lots of events outside of the scheduled meetings. The best thing to do is come on down and see if you like it - no need to stay or join if you don't. There's enough going on in ED for everyone to find something to suit them :)) Mel MakeHQ: Contemporary Craft Workshops

Hi Waynetta I'd love you to join me for the embroidery workshop. I teach it, and its my very favourite. Its all funky and easy these days, not at all fuddy duddy. I've attached a picture of a tea towel I recently whipped up. The next class we are running is on Monday 13th September from 7 - 9.30pm and there are still spaces left. The cost is ?40, and that includes all your materials (wooden hoop, tea towel, threads, needle etc) which you get to take home with you. You can book here: MakeHQ: Embroidery Workshop Hope to see you there, Mel MakeHQ

Hi there we run exactly what you are looking for (I hope!). We offer evening craft workshops where you come along, meet some like minded people, learn a new skill and take home something lovely you have made yourself. We provide all the materials you need. Coming up in September we have: - Beginners Knitting - Beginners Crochet - Cushion Making - Sewing Children's Skirts - Embroidery - Cupcake Decorating - A-line skirts (for intermediate sewers) Plus lots more scheuled from October - December. We also run private parties and workshops, so if you fancy getting a group of friends together, or the dates/times don;t suit we can run one just for you. We have just had 40 people at the East Dulwich Women's Institute and a Hen Party this week alone :) We are based at All Fired Up. You can book online here: MakeHQ: Online Booking Please feel free to drop me a PM or email on [email protected] if you have any questions. Mel MakeHQ

I third Ceri. She teaches cupcake decorating classes for MakeHQ and she is brilliant. Her cakes are spectacular and very reasonable indeed (shes doing three different birthdays for me soon!) Mel

Baby 1 - about 3 weeks, baby 2 - a week. Just couldn't sleep with them in the room snortling and snuffling. Had monitor set to pick up when they cried (not every gurgle).

Thats really interesting Fuschia. My daughter is a 30th August baby, and I have been worried about her going to a single point of entry school where she would start a couple of days after her 4th birthday (sooooo little). I assume this means I could put her through the normal application process, accept a place, then delay her start by a year until a couple of days after she is 5?

Or you could get her a gift voucher for one of MakeHQ's craft workshops in cupcakes, sewing etc so she can have a chilled night out ;-) I actually used to give mine a small something the children had made/a hand made card then something like flowers/champagne (not very imaginative!) and cold hard cash at Christmas. Mel

Dear Delightful DulwichMum, Thank you for your post, which has given me some great ideas for upcoming events. I shall propose ditching the bunting and buns and unleashing the nipple tassles and N-Dubz ;-) Yours indebtedly, MakeHQ

It certainly is, 1st Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm above The Magnolia, Lordship Lane. Lovely bunch of ladies. MakeHQ are very excited to be running a Making Beautiful Bunting session for their August meeting. Come and join us! Mel

Yay! MakeHQ will be there with our lovely crafty things. We will have knitting, embroidery, Clothkits for children's clothes and lots of other lovely things. Also a competition to win a free workshop... Do pop down and say hello! Mel and Zoe MakeHQ

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Hi Ladies I just wanted to say what a brilliant time Bea and I had at Babble and Squeak this morning, we will difinitely be back for more bad dancing soon! Thanks for putting in the effort to run such a fun group, Mel

A couple of other Mums and I will be in the dog free area at Peckham Rye at 3ish post nap (I'll have the 18 month and 3 1/2 year old curly headed ones), so if you see us do pop over and say hello! Mel MakeHQ