Festive Brum Sewcial

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November, an area inside the Great Western Arcade will be transformed into a sewing room for the weekend. Everyone with an interest in sewing – from complete beginners to experienced sewists – is invited to join us to spend the weekend doing some festive sewing in company, in the surroundings of the Great Western Arcade.

Intermediate to confident sewers are invited to bring along a sewing project, or two (perhaps a party outfit for the festive season, or a Christmas gift), to sew over the weekend while chatting to friends. Beginner sewers are invited to book onto one of our two-hour timeslots, where you’ll be supported to sew two hair scrunchies, to keep for yourself or give as a Christmas gift. All booked attendees will have access to a Janome sewing machine, plus refreshments courtesy of the Great Western Arcade.

The Festive Brum Sewcial will be a free two-day event, with the option to join us for a couple of hours, a day, or the whole weekend.

Our venue, the Great Western Arcade, is centrally located in Birmingham city centre and home to a wide variety of independent retailers – including an excellent range of lunch options for attendees.

Tickets are FREE, but booking is required for access to a sewing machine and support. Drop-in visitors to the GWA are welcome to pop in to say hello and see what we’re sewing but won’t be able to sew.

Booking options (both options are free):

Intermediate to confident sewer – Book one of our Janome sewing machines to sew in company for the day or weekend. You will need to bring your own sewing projects and supplies, to work on a project/s of your choice in company. This option is designed for attendees who have experience using a sewing machine, and who can source their own sewing project and supplies.

Includes:

• Entry Saturday 16th and/or Sunday 17th November 2024;
• Access to a Janome sewing machine;
• Good company;
• Refreshments

Beginner sewer – Book a (two hour) morning or afternoon slot over the weekend. You’ll have access to a Janome sewing machine, plus all the supplies and support to sew a simple sewing project - two hair scrunchies, to keep for yourself or give as a Christmas gift. This option is open to complete beginners, and attendees who would like to turn up and sew, with all materials and support provided.

Includes:

• Two-hour session in the sewing room;
• Access to a Janome sewing machine and sewing tools;
• Fabric and supplies needed to sew a small sewing project;
• Advice and support;
• Refreshments.

Any questions in advance can be sent to Charlotte at charlotte@englishgirlathome.com

FAQs & Policies

Venue and travel information

Our venue for the weekend is the Great Western Arcade: Great Western Arcade, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B2 5HU

The Great Western Arcade is located opposite Snow Hill Station, and approximately ten minutes’ walk from Birmingham New Street Station. It’s also located adjacent to a tram stop (Bull Street).

Ample car parking can be found nearby, particularly in the Snow Hill car park.

Children

Children are welcome to attend, but must be accompanied and supported (if sewing) by a parent at all times.

Disability Information

Our venue for the weekend, the Great Western Arcade, has flat access and is accessible to wheelchair users. Our Janome sewing machines have a start/stop button option. As a pop-up event, our tables are not height adjustable.

Refreshments

Light refreshments will be provided, but attendees will need to supply their own lunch. There are a number of cafes in the Great Western Arcade which will be open on Saturday 16th but closed on Sunday 17th.

Photography

Photographing and/or videotaping of attendees will take place throughout the weekend. The Great Western Arcade or Charlotte Emma Patterns may publish the photos and recordings online or in other places for marketing and sales purposes. Attendees agree that their picture and sound may be used by the organisers and their partners without granting any additional permissions. Please contact charlotte@englishgirlathome.com if you have any concerns or questions about this.

Lost or Damaged Property

The Great Western Arcade or Charlotte Emma Patterns are not responsible for attendees lost or damaged property.