From 22-25 March, Birmingham’s NEC will be home to three exhibitions aimed at fashion, craft and hobby fans; Sewing for Pleasure, Hobbycrafts, and Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch.
Sewing for Pleasure is Britain’s best stitching, beading and knitting show that will see over 150 exhibitors wowing the crowds with irresistible products, inspirational displays and expert advice.
Following his recent fame on ‘Kirstie’s Handmade Britain’, Jamie Chalmers aka Mr X Stitch bring new trends in embroidery and needlecraft to the show, with an exhibition of pop culture-inspired amateur embroidery from around the world and top tips and advice. The show will also see the brand new feature, the Sewing Hub, which will offer visitors a chance to embrace the growing trend for ‘Make do and Mend’ with expert advice and workshops from the professionals.
Other features will include the Sewing Machine Clinic, textile designer and author Charlotte Liddle at the Stitch Diva’s Den, the Dressmakers’ Pattern Bar, and the Knitting Lounge where Belinda and Ruth from the KNIT expo will be on hand to offer their expertise.
The UK’s most inspiring Textile Art show, Fashion Embroidery & Stitch, is also set to get fans creative juices flowing with free catwalk shows each day of the show, hosted by Brenda Killigrew from the Inkberrow Design Centre.
Downton Abbey fans will also get to see the sumptuous costumes from the ITV series on display. Featuring a beautiful collection of some of the most iconic outfits from the first series, each outfit shows the exquisite needlework and craftsmanship that went into their design.
Continuing the theme of costume dramas, the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles’ collection, The Romance of Words, is helping to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility by embracing the theme of romance in the written form.
With the landmark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year, the show will also celebrate the ‘Best of British’ with the brand new Glimpses of Blighty display, an exciting embroidery display that will be judged at the show.
Poetry in Stitches 3 will also continue the collaboration of words and craft with the last round of this ever-popular project from the National Needlework Archive.
Finally, the ever-popular and award-winning Hobbycrafts show will be offering top tips and advice, hands-on workshops, inspiration and an unrivalled choice of supplies for all of your crafting needs.
Roll up your sleeves and get involved in one of the large workshop area with free Make & Take sessions on a range of crafts including beadwork, jewellery making, stamping, card making, embossing, pyrography and papercraft.
With three great shows for the price of one, there is something for everyone at Sewing for Pleasure, Fashion Embroidery & Stitch and Hobbycrafts this spring.
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Tickets cost £9.50adv/£11.50 door for Adults, £8.50/£10.50 for Seniors and children under 16 go free if accompanied by an adult or pay £5 on the door. There is also a two-day ticket available in advance, priced at £16 Adults and £14 for Seniors. Tickets are subject to booking and transaction fees and are available from The Ticket Factory or 0844 338 8000.
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