A couple of weeks ago I went on a workshop run by Jessie Chorley. She is a designer/maker with a shop and workshop on Columbia Road. I’ve visited her shop a few times and was pretty excited to discover she runs workshops too. I signed up for a Christmas workshop.

On arrival I was handed a little pack of paper items from which I could make three items:

Stitched and collaged Christmas cards
Collaged and stitched postcard decorations to be placed in your home once complete
Decorating pre cut Christmas decorations that will then hang from a string in your home

These would be made using a combination of block print, collage, appliqué and hand embroidery.

Making handmade Christmas decorations with Jessie Chorley

The first item she showed us how to make was an adorable stitched bow. They were simple to make and I found myself making a few in between projects. They are great for making whilst you are thinking and are a cute little embellishment for any project.

I brought a few items with me, such as my trusty sewing kit, some buttons and pieces of lace and I spent an enjoyable day making cards and decorations.

Jessie provided pieces of vintage paper, offcuts of fabric and some of her wonderful stamps so we could create whatever we wanted.

I made this card for my mums’ birthday. It features a page of a vintage Welsh bible, a bow hand-stitched by me, a black and white photograph I hand stitched in place, alongside some stamped houses on fabric.

We had a short break for lunch and we all popped across the road to an amazing Spanish restaurant. Fortified, we returned to the shop where I used the pre-cut rabbit to make a hanging decoration, adding my name tag and another bow I hand stitched.

I’m obsessed with houses so made an extra little card featuring Jessie’s stamp on fabric. I think this would make a sweet new home card.

I enjoyed my day. Jessie’s shop is a real treasure trove of hand made cards, hand stitched pieces and found items. I wish there had been a little time to explore some of the other shops on Columbia Road but I shall have to make an effort to go on a Sunday when all the shops are open and the famous Columbia Road flower market is on.

It was fun trying out some new techniques and putting together things I would never have thought of. Most of all it was lovely to spend a day using my hands and not my laptop. Sometimes it is so lovely to step away from reality and get lost in a little creativity.