Faberwood Pop Up at the IzzoSew Social Sewing Day

When Izzy of IzzoSew Studio got in touch to invite me to the Sheffield Sewing Social day, with my fabric collection, I was more than delighted to attend. This regular sewing event is held at the Jubilee Building in Sheffield, which is only a couple of miles down the road from me. It's my 10th year of Faberwood and I can count on one hand how many ‘in real life’ events I’ve attended (I'm always thinking I must get out more!)

This was a great opportunity for people to actually feel the Faberwood fabric, and I was also invited to sew, but decided to just focus on my pop up shop and enjoy chatting about all things making (while also taking some photos to record the day).

IzzoSew Sewing Studio is run by Izzy and Tim, they put on sewing classes, feature online tutorials and organise socials and Sewing Retreats. Izzy has also designs her own sewing patterns and has been teaching sewing for years. The retreats are definitely worth checking out, set in beautiful locations like the Peak District and the Lake District, with a newly added Portugal sewing retreat added this year!

On arriving at the Sewing Social Event, my first impression was how relaxed it was, everyone was very friendly. I liked that it felt informal, I had no idea what to expect, I was just happy to showcase my fabric outside my home! The venue has a wonderful, large and open sewing area with big windows letting natural light flood through. It is a perfect location, very spacious and even with almost 50 sewists attending, it did not feel too busy or noisy at all. 

I loved Izzy and Tim's attention to detail and the range of sewing equipment available for everyone to use. There were plenty of ironing boards and large cutting-out tables, all set up and ready to go. There were overlockers provided, lots of mirrors and rails to hang things. Everything was well thought out, all those little things that make a big difference and all the things we don't have in our own sewing space. Izzy was on hand throughout the day to chat and help with anything, or to just talk through ideas, there was also a fabric and pattern swap. There really was a sense of 'me time' happening, lots of smiles, just getting on with the process of making with none of life's usual interruptions.

Not to mention the refreshments, which were also all part of the package, I immediately spotted the hot coffee on tap! Then followed by tea and cake in the afternoon, and then a pilates session at the end of the day. All this is included in the ticket price, and even though there's a structure to the day, there was no pressure to join in with everything. It really was just 'turn up and sew' with like-minded people.

It was so good for me to meet so many lovely sewists, and fortunately, they liked my fabric! It was actually that good, I kind of don't want to tell everyone!

Thank you, Izzy and Tim, for giving me this opportunity. I'd love to come back again and maybe next time with a project and my sewing machine x