Happy New Year 2016!

Happy New Year to you all! I hope you’ve been having a lovely time over the festive season and had a chance to relax a bit.

The 1st of January is always a nice time to stop and reflect for me as it’s one of those rare days every year when I get the feeling nobody else is working, or doing anything or trying to sort anything out. No urgent emails need answered, you don’t have to get up early, no meetings, no phone calls, just a chance to stop, catch a breath, look back and most importantly look forward to a brand new year!

2015 has been another busy year for g&g and it’s not until I start to think back to the end of 2014 that I’m realising how much has changed.

I’ve now lucky to have not just 2 but 4 lovely girls who work with me in the shop and we welcomed back Layla (one of our workshop tutors) who has been teaching loads more dressmaking workshops this year.

We also had a huge shift around in the shop, took out our coffee area to make way for more fabric and got a new unit with a great built in rail for all the samples.

The studio has been buzzing with lots of workshops.

We had a great time at our Summer Dress Party Event in July.

We tested the maxiumn capacity of the studio at the Sew Brum Blogger meet up where I reckon almost 90 people came!

We had a very Merry Christmas party!

And on the blog I shared lots of tips and tutorials in the Simple Sleeveless Top Series.

Helped to inspire lots of beautiful summer dresses in the Summer Dress Season Series.

And contributed to some Christmas sparkle with the Party Wear Blog Series and lots of sequin garments! You can see some amazing sparkly makes in the Christmas Makers Gallery Blog post.

So here’s to 2016……

With my baby due in Spring time, I know that this coming year will be just as busy…wait no…busier! And we have lots of exciting things planned.

I don’t want to say to much just yet, but I’m hoping to welcome some international sewing talent to teach a special master class workshop very soon.

I’ve got come exciting things planned for the blog and if you are a fan of Liberty fabrics and like to hoard them……..and look at them…….and sometimes make things from them…….but mostly just admire them in your stash, then I’ve got something that’s right up your street!

We are busy behind the scenes working on a new website that will make shopping online even easier, especially for those of you who aren’t sure what fabrics to match with what patterns.

I’m really looking forward to welcoming more team members over the next few months (some of you will know them already) to help me keep on top of everything while I keep sewing and blogging and teaching and working with a baby strapped to my back! (Maybe I’m being unrealistic with the last bit?!)

Most of all I’m looking forward to meeting more of you! Seeing what you make, finding lots of lovely fabric for you to sew with and giving you lots of ideas!

If there is anything in particular you would like to see more of in 2016 on the blog, on the workshop calendar or in the shop then please get in touch!
Just leave me a comment below, tweet me, leave a comment on facebook, email us, mention it in the shop….we are always more than happy to listen and take note of requests.

I’ll be taking a short break from blogging in the middle of January while I re-charge, then I’ll be right back with you!

Wishing you all good things for 2016!

Lauren x x