Hi Reader,

Yesterday I did my very first Christmas fair with my beginner-friendly sewing kits.

It was a big build-up: days of cutting, marking, pressing, packing, printing instructions and planning the stall.

I sold a few aprons, a few tote bag kits and some Christmas bits, but nowhere near what I’d quietly hoped for in terms of takings.

Talking to the other stallholders, it was clear it wasn’t just me.

Footfall was low, there were more stallholders than people browsing, and lots of us went home with far more stock than we expected.

It was a little deflating after so many hours of prep, but it was also a really useful first experience.

What I learned from my first fair

I came home a bit deflated, but with a head full of “next time I’ll…” thoughts. In case you’re also doing or dreaming about fairs, here are a few of the big ones:

• Put everything on wheels. Next time it’s a wheelie suitcase; four bulging bags and a tablecloth are not fun to lug through town.
• Talk to the other makers. Chatting with fellow stallholders was one of the best parts – they shared recommendations for other fairs, markets and even online platforms I’d never heard of.
• Check the promotion plan. I’ll be asking organisers what they’ve actually done in previous years (flyers, social, mailing lists) and what’s planned, rather than assuming “Christmas fair” = big footfall.
• Think about the town’s audience. Does this area have people who buy handmade, or who sew / want to sew? Are they likely to spend on kits, or is it more browsing and mince pies?

Apron & tote kits now on Etsy

The good news is: the remaining apron and tote bag kits are now listed on Etsy for UK buyers.
They’re exactly the same kits I had on the stall:

• ​Apron sewing kit with pre-marked cutting lines on reclaimed fabric, plus step-by-step instructions and video link
• ​Tote bag sewing kit, also pre-marked, with the option to sew a boxed bottom if you’re feeling adventurous

They’re designed as quick, straightforward projects for anyone who’s just got a machine, is returning to sewing after a break, or wants something simple and satisfying to make.

You can:

• Sew them yourself as a last-minute handmade gift
• Or gift the kit to a friend or family member who’s just starting out with sewing

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Planning a beginners course for next year

This fair has really confirmed how many people want to sew but don’t feel confident on their own.
For next year, I’m planning an online Beginners Sewing Course that follows the same structure as my popular in-person classes – small, achievable projects that build skills and confidence step by step.

I’d love your input while I’m planning it:

• What’s one thing you’d really love to master on the sewing machine?
• Or, if you’ve been sewing a while, what’s the one thing you wish someone had told you when you first started?

For me, it’s this: your iron is your second most important piece of equipment after the sewing machine. Pressing at each stage makes such a difference to accuracy and to how “professional” your finished projects look, and nobody really told me that at the beginning.

Hit reply and tell me your “one thing”. It will help me shape the course so it genuinely supports you where you’re at.

Where to find the kits

If you’re in the UK and would like an apron or tote kit, you can find them here:
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Thank you, as always, for reading, cheering me on, and being part of this slow, scrappy, stitchy journey.

A little Christmas gift from me

One lovely thing I realised while I was packing for the fair is just how many of us already have scraps and trimmings tucked away. The Christmas decoration kits I took were really just a curated bundle of those bits, plus instructions.

As a thank-you for being on my list, I’ve turned that instruction sheet into a free PDF for you. You can use it to turn your own fabric scraps and ribbons into simple hanging decorations.

• ​Download your Christmas decoration PDF here​
• Grab a handful of scraps, trims, some thread and a needle, and enjoy a quiet half hour of festive stitching.

If you make any, I’d absolutely love to see – hit reply and tell me, or tag me on social if you share a photo.

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