#ministrymakes

After many years of faithful service we are retiring our very popular 'Tell the Bobbin who's boss' (Boooo!) But we're launching a new monthly competition #MinistryMakes (yayyy!) 

#MinistryMakes will be open to all crafters; sewing, knitting, printmakers and everything in between you're all welcome!

All you have to do is share your next project with us and you could be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes!

How to enter

Simply send us a photograph of your latest making success to Info@ministryofcraft.co.uk or tag us in your social media posts using the hashtag #MinistryMakes.

This month's #MinistryMakes closes at midnight on 30th June.

The Prize

Each month up for grabs:

- A £10 Ministry of Craft gift voucher to use against any of our courses

AND

- A six issue subscription to either Love Sewing Magazine or Simply Cards & Papercraft 

So get making, we're looking forward to seeing what fantastic things you come up with!

Don't forget Father's Day (Sunday 21 June): Our Top 5 Father's Day Gifts

We’ve got a whole bunch of great ideas for Father’s Day over on our Pinterest board. From gadgety gifts, to awesome and quick DIYs for a handmade token of affection, there’s a host of options to show your Daddy he’s the coolest. Here's our top 5 picks:

1. DIY Pretzel Pincushion
I don't know how many of you have dads who sew, but this is the kind of gift that Great British Sewing Bee winner Matt Chapple would love! It's fun, easy and cute.

Tutorial from www.whileshenaps.com

 2. Ministry of Craft Screen Printing Course

 Your dad will be in his element printing up his very own band tshirt under the expert tutelage of our resident screen printer Nell Smith

Cute cine camera print by one of our past cusomers

3. Sew-it-Yourself Denim Tool Roll 
Does your other half store his tools in a big pile in the bottom of the cupboard or shed like mine does? Encourage good storage habits by sewing this space-saving manly roll-up tool organiser. Great for tools, knives, or any other equipment which shouldn't be stored in a pile at the bottom of a cupboard. (Ps- we run a course where you can learn to sew a pouch like this, check it out here)

Tutorial from www.instructables.com

4. Fred Aldous Block Printing Kit
This kit is the bees knees. I have just bought one for a friend: it's THE PERFECT gift for someone with a creative side, who likes beautiful packaging and who wants to try printing from the comfort of their own home. Just gorgeous.

Kit from www.fredaldous.co.uk

5. Home-made Rosemary & Mint Shaving Cream
Whip up a storm with this organic rosemary mint shaving foam. Find yourself a lovely vintage storage jar (you can buy them from Fred Aldous) and voila: home made, fresh-scented foam to combat those pesky shaving ouchies. Time to get rid of that embarassing hipster beard, Dad.

Tutorial from www.foodformyfamily.com

Don't forget we've got a REVERSIBLE APRON course happening this weekend, so come along if you'd like some help to make a thoughtful and useful gift for your Dad or husband. **NOW AT THE SPECIAL PRICE OF £30** use code APRON30 at the checkout.

You can always buy gift vouchers from Ministry of Craft too - so if you think he'd like to choose a craft course to attend himself, then that's a good option. Why not come along too and have some quality father-and-daughter time? 

Happy Father's Day to all of you lovely lot, enjoy your Sunday!

Beginners Sewing

You may have noticed that we are offering more Beginners sewing workshops than ever before and they all approach teaching you to sew in different ways. One exciting new addition is our Learn to Sew workshops run by the tremendously talented Deborah Simms. 

But with all these new options it can be hard to know which one is for you, so we've put together this handy little chart which will hopefully steer you in the right direction.

It's June next week and if you are still slipping on your New Year's resolutions to learn to sew THIS YEAR, let us help, we promise you won't regret it!

View all beginners sewing courses here 

Reinvention of an Apron

Ah the humble apron, so useful and yet so overlooked. For me it's one of those things that you never know how much you use it until it's not around and you get flour all over yourself!

Well listen, I know we've had our ever popular Sew your own apron course for some time but we've reinvented it and we think you're going to love it!

Not only can you still make the beautiful, Stepford-wives-esque vintage apron, you can now choose to make a mans apron or an apron for a wee child. Those ones have a pocket as well, so handy!

 We're spoiling you here and we also know that choosing which one to make will be the hardest part of the class!

That's because our top class tutor Alison is an expert at getting even the most unconfident sewer sewing up a storm and creating things that they really didn't think they would ever produce!

So with Fathers day coming up and the summer holidays not far behind you should probably get
yourself a place booked and reap the rewards of being so well organised.

Hand made presents are always more appreciated than shop bought ones. To book on this fabulous course click here

Sweet Wedding Ideas

We love weddings here at Ministry, all that pomp and ceremony it's enough to make you weep! These are our favourite pins for super sweet unique wedding ideas. Little touches that make that special day feel all the more special.

DIY Die Cut Favours - Bespoke Bride

 

 

Personalised Sugar Cookies - Style Me Pretty

Pine Cone Place Card Holder - Camille Styles

And if you're stuck for Hen Party ideas why not let us take care of it. We have lots of options for a classy craft filled day. For more information click here

Ministry of Craft - The End of an Era

This week it’s with a tear in our eye that we announce the stepping down of Sam Sterken, founder of Ministry of Craft. Sam has decided that after 6 years at the helm of the good ship Ministry, it’s time to move on to pastures new and pursue a host of exciting new endeavours.  

Sam Sterken, Founder of Ministry of Craft

The idea for Ministry of Craft came to Sam in a vision as she was driving down the M6 to her creatively unfulfilling job (managing canals - it’s a long story!). A few months later after the birth of her first child, Max, and whilst still on maternity leave, Sam let Ministry of Craft out of her imagination and into the world. 

Having a very quick crafting break from our own workshops at The Vintage Festival last summer

Over the past 6 years, as well as being a busy super-mum of two, Sam has built up an enviable team of tutors, experts and dedicated team members in order to deliver first class craft courses and to keep up with the ever-increasing demand from our ever-expanding customer base. 

Sam with son Max (6) and daughter Ilse (3)

The Ministry team is sad to be saying goodbye to Sam, but at the same time we’re delighted that the baton is passing to Alison Leese, who many of you will know as our dressmaking and sewing tutor extraordinaire! So even though it’s a huge change for us, it’s still business as usual for Ministry of Craft, which is just the way Sam wanted it! And to be fair, she’s not going far: she’ll still be teaching her awesome TAILOR MADE FABRIC LAMPSHADE course, along with the supercute SASSY SNAP FRAME PURSE and CLASSY CLUTCH BAG courses to boot. 

Passing the Ministry mantel to Alison Leese

If you’d like to join us in wishing Sam well in her future adventures then why not drop her a line at sam@ministryofcraft.co.uk, leave a message on our Facebook page or you can even tweet us. Next week will be her final week as the Guv’nor (blub!)

Luckily for us we can all follow Sam’s future exploits on her blog A TIN OF PINS, and also on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest so head there now and give her a virtual hug.

Sam teaching a lovely bunch of hens at one of our hen parties

We’re going to miss you Sam!

Lots of love from the Ministry team.

XOXO 

Sam and Lindsey at The Vintage Festival last year

Book Review & Giveaway - Arm & Finger Knitting by Laura Strutt

'35 no-needle knits for the home and to wear'. I'm in! Sign me up! Get me some super chunky yarn! Why am I shouting? I'm clearly a bit too excited about receiving my copy of Arm & Finger Knitting by Laura Strutt (photography by Penny Wincer, published by CICO Books rrp £12.99).

Just look at this throw. LOOK AT IT WITH YOUR EYES and tell me you aren't tempted to run to the nearest yarn shop right now?! I'm not sure I can even wait that long: I'm currently deconstructing my husband's best t-shirts into one continuous strand of chunky jersey yarn just so that I can knit up this masterpiece. Ok. I'm not really doing that, but I should be.

 There's something VERY appealing about not needing any needles, no knitting bag, no crafting equipment. Just your arms, fingers and balls of chunky wool. It's lo-fi at its best but just look at the magnificent projects at your disposal. Knit up this cute chunky travel blanket on the bus to work (you might need a bit of extra room in order to avoid punching your fellow passengers in the face as you 'knit', so grab the whole back seat).

Not all of the garments in the book are my cup of tea, I've never been much of a bolero wearer, but there is a lovely infinity scarf which is an essential item for your Autumn, Winter and let's face it Spring wardrobe.

I'm also loving these finger knit baskets and other colourful vessels. Finger knitting is where many of us started out as kids, and now we've got a reason to rekindle our love for this overlooked craftform. So limber up your fingers, pull out your yarn stash or visit the sales, and have a go at one of the many projects on offer. This book would make a great addition to your crafting library or it could be the perfect gift for the creative person in your life.

The lovely people at CICO Books have given us a copy to giveaway. To enter just visit our Facebook page and leave us a comment by next Friday 24th April. Good luck and HAPPY KNITTING!

Arm & Finger Knitting by Laura Strutt, photography by Penny Wincer, published by CICO Books rrp £12.99