needlesandhooks is the work of Sara Fowles a designer/maker using textiles and wool based in Birmingham.

needlesandhooks produces handmade accessories, homeware items and bespoke women’s and menswear. All of the needlesandhooks items are unique. They may be related in design or material but no two are ever the same and will never be repeated.

Last week I received a tip off text from my good friend Ruth Green.  “Knitting machine in Extra Care Charity Shop £30″ From the picture below you can guess the rest.

It came with a box full of accessories but no instructions.

Since I’ve only ever seen other people use knitting machines I needed help.  Help arrived in the form of Liz Healy.  After a cup of tea and a chat we got down to the serious work of setting up the machine and testing it out.

I’m happy to report that it seems to work fine.  I also found an instruction manual on Ebay for 99p.  I just need to buy some suitable guage wool for it as my hand knit stash is too thick.

Picture was taken in the food hall of Isetan department store, Tokyo. mmmmm delicious

Thanks to the kind generosity of Ruth Green some needlesandhooks goodies will be on sale at Spitafields Market from Tuesday 15 - Sunday 20 December 9 - 4pm.  Ruth will also be selling some prints by my good friend Ben Javens.  You should really all go along and spend some money.  Off you go then

I’ve been in London for the past week parading my wares at 2 shows Handmade in Britain and MidCentury Modern.  Both shows were OK - not many sales but lots of interest. On a plus point I did meet Rachael from Amelias Magazine who have featured my work in a blog post here

I did see lots of lovely things including the new window displays for Jigsaw

I wonder what happens to the window furniture when the display is finished? I think these would look brilliant in my studio.  I might just go in to the Birmingham branch and find out…

Things are a hotting up here at needlesandhooks.  The house is a hive of activity with the building work in the loft nearly finished and just 2 weeks until my 2 London shows.

As exciting as my new bathroom, bedroom and store room are there is still loads of work to do before I can kick back and relax in my penthouse suite.  For one, I’ve got a really long list of products to complete for the London shows.

I’ll be exhibiting at Handmade in Britain (11 - 14 Nov) which is held at Chelsea Old Town Hall and Mid Century Modern (15 Nov) which is held at Dulwich College.

Am very nervous (and excited) about both shows especially Handmade in Britain.  It will be the 1st time I have exhibited there and I’ve never visited the show either.

It will be the usual mix of accessories and cushions for both shows although I’ll be exhibiting some hand knitted lace cushions at Mid Century Modern which won’t be available at Handmade in Britain.

I’d better get back to work as there’s a lot to do.

Back to the sewing machine after Marvin’s Magical Mini Mart.  A big thanks to all those who came along to support us.  Hopefully there will be more events like Marvin’s in the near future.

I’ve just completed commission no 3 - a black denim jacket for a private client.  I’m really pleased with the results.  If you want to see more photos click here.

Marvins Magical Mini Mart will be springing into action as part of Pop Up Shop on 47 Corporation Street, Birmingham.

Pop Up Shop on the ground floor will feature lots of independent retailers from Birmingham and Marvin’s Magical Mini Mart on the 1st floor will feature Ben Javens, Ruth Green, Love To Print, Focus Point Photography, Joe Rogers and Sarah Coulston

It will only be around for 3 days 24 - 26 September from 10 - 6pm.  So come along and see us hard at work in Marvin’s Magical Mini Mart

For more information about Pop Up Shop you can follow them on twitter here or join the Facebook group here

I’ve been evicted from my studio.  I’ve had to pack up my fabric mountain and move out.

It’s all in a good cause though.  I’ve had to move so that the builders can insulate my studio, replace the window and put a radiator in.  They’ll also be building a new bathroom and storeroom in the unused loft space.

I’d forgotten how much room there is up there.  It was quite hard to see it hidden behind piles of fabric and pattern paper

So for now I’m taking over the front bedroom as my studio and working around boxes of music equipment and old bank statements.  It’s a bit cramped but I can’t complain, I’ve managed to get my cutting table in which is the main thing.

All that’s left to do now is argue with Matt about where my studio goes after the work is done.  I think I should have the big front room, he thinks otherwise…

Well its about time that I gave you an update on what I’ve been doing.  I’ve been busy working on none related sewing stuff including the rather marvellous Supersonic Festival and a project in Coventry with Triangle Theatre.

But your not interested in that really.  I have been doing some work on the wall commission.  I went shopping while in Paris for fabric.  There is a whole section of the city (just round the corner from the Sacre Coeur in Montmatre) dedicated to discount fabric shops.  My idea of heaven.  Thanks very much to Fuzzy Galore for the shopping tips

I managed to acquire (using my rudimentary French, the international language of hand signs and a guide book) some quite fabulous fabric for the main part of the piece.  I bought some really lovely linen, some upholstery weight loose weave cotton and a woven patterned velour.

I’m going to create a patchwork background and then applique and embroider the design on top.  So I’ve created a sample block to show to clients.

I’d better get back to my studio and get making more blocks

Things are hotting up here at needlesandhooks.  It’s not just the beautiful weather we’ve had over the weekend.  I’ve just received a new commission to make a wall hanging for a stair well.  Design has just been approved by clients.  Now begins the fun part - fabric shopping.

I’ve also just finished a commission for a private client in London.  I’ve made a large cushion set with flight embroidery using vintage 1940’s wool crepe, printed Japanese cotton and recycled satin polyester.

Am really pleased with the cushions - in fact I would like to keep them.  If you want to see more photos click here

I’ve had a bit of machine envy recently.  Whilst buying needles at Frank Nutt I saw the new, all singing all dancing Bernina 830.  Just a mere £6,500 buys you this very expensive toy.  It has an electronic switch to lift the sewing foot up and down and a really long arm.  No manual lifting of levers here or squashing fabric under the arm.

To be fair I wouldn’t really want one as if I was going to spend that kind of money on a sewing machine I’d be better off with an industrial one.

It does make me think who would buy these type of machines - they’re not made for professionals and they’re quite expensive for hobbyists. I also have a bit of a problem with the automated aspect of these computerised machines.  Is it really you embroidering that picture if you set a machine to do it?

Whilst on the subject of machine envy I went charity shopping on Friday and went past a drycleaners and alteration shop in Harborne.  They had miniature machines as a window display.  They are really beautiful and they actually work

I have my own miniature sewing machine which actually works.  It was a birthday present a couple of years ago and it has pride of place on our record shelves.  I think I want to decorate my studio with more of these.  They’re slightly more affordable than the Bernina 830 and probably more of an inspiration.