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Welcome

Welcome to the new look Craft Arena blog. The aim of our blog is to give you more information than can be found in our weekly newsletter. In each post, you will find  information about our classes, inspiration, resources, and news about special offers. You can subscribe to our newsletter by visiting our website  and clicking on the blue 'Subscribe' button underneath our logo. You can contact us via our website contact form .
Recent posts

Bernina at Craft Arena

 Craft Arena are now stockists of Bernina sewing machines. Contact us to arrange a personal demonstration. The following offers are available for the month of August Bernina 770QE £3,995 saving £250  – till end of August (note that the half price embroidery module is only valid for The Festival of Quilts period). Bernina  325 reduced to £795  until end August. Accessory of the Month  15% off Piping Foot #38 The Bernina Button Sew-on Foot #18 Button Sew-On Foot #18 is an all-rounder for sewing on buttons, snap fasteners and eyelets. Its non-slip sole holds the button securely in place while it is sewn on. In addition, Button Sew-On Foot #18 has an adjustable middle toe,  allowing you to vary the height of the thread shank according to fabric thickness. The middle toe can be flipped up and away when not in use. In addition to buttons and closures, Button Sew-On Foot #18 allows you to attach decorative embellishments such as sequins or bows. See how this foot works here Let us know the m

Inspiration and Talks

We have curated some of our favourite links here. Some could be for you to participate in and some just to inspire you! We can take no responsibililty for links that no longer work, but do let us know so that we can remove them. Saturday Sketch Club: drawing from Raphael Online workshop from the RA  Saturday 7 December 2024 10.30 - 11.45am Friday Feature Artist from Fibre Arts Take Two - Sally Blake Fibreartstaketwo - Deborah Carter Orange Peel Pendant Lamp  by Alkesh Parmar Noriko Livingstone: Embroidery in Bloom   Interview from the School of Stitched Textiles Friday Feature Artist from FibreArtsTakeTwo: Karen Stamper The Pforzheim Jewellery Museum , Germany Ava Roth’s Honeycomb Sculptures YoYo Lander - Portraits using layers of stained paper A Complete History of Embroidery from the School of Stitched Textiles Josh Gluckstein's Reef from Recycled Cardboard Glass Bead embroidered portraiats by Demond Melancon  I thought you might be interested to read an interview with  Jacquelin

Local Groups

If you would like us to include your group on this page and in our newsletter, please use the contact form on our website to send us the information. Southend Seaside Stitchers Southend Seaside Stitchers (formerly South & East Essex Embroiderers Guild) meet twice a month in Westcliff-on-Sea with a mixture of mini workshops, speakers and bring your own project sessions. They welcome all stitchers and textiles enthusiasts to their meetings. For more details, please see their  Facebook  and I nstagram   pages or email    southenendseasidestitchers@yahoo.com Romford Embroiders They meet monthly on a Saturday afternoon at the United Reformed Church, Western Road, Romford Find out more about Romford Embroiderers here. Essex Silk Painters Essex Silk Painters is a vibrant local chapter of the National Guild of Silk Painters. They meet in Toot Hill near Ongar on the first Saturday of every month (except January) for day-long workshops. Some days have outside tutors, some are taught by memb

Free Patterns

We offer free patterns as we come across them. Please note that we can take no responsibility for links that do not work. Just in time for Halloween, we are offering this free pattern for a pumpkin this week. Crochet in 4 ply cotton yarn, this will be perfect for a spooky display! Download your pattern from our website here Add nordic-inspired charm to your home this festive season with this macramé Christmas tree pattern. Your finished piece will make a unique boho tree decoration or will equally look great displayed as a wall decoration. The pattern uses DMC Eco Vita 4 Metallic yarn, but you can substitute any yarn or macrame cord for this project.  This free embroidery pattern from DMC is perfect to add a positive reminder to cushion covers, tote bags and clothing. Its message to “slow down” reminds us to take our time and not try to do too much. The design is part of a collection of patterns created for World Mental Health Day. Stitch it up using DMC Mouliné Spécial and Diamant to