GillyMac Designs

I’m obsessed with this old H&M shirt! It cost less than £20 when I bought it 3-4 years ago, and I’ve never seen another like it. I’ve worn it to death, but instead of letting it go, I’m making a pattern from it to create a replica.

The best part? No need to unpick the original—it’s still wearable! Once the pattern is done, I’ll be making a few more versions with some fab fabric I’ve been hoarding 🙈. Total win-win!

If you want to learn how to replicate your favourite clothes, check out my Love It, Make It classes—new sessions start in February!

Happy Monday! Let's get started with my top 10 essential tools. While this blog is ideal for a beginner, you don't need to be a beginner to refresh your tools. Let's face it, we all love buying sewing stuff.

You can find all the details and links in the latest blog on my website.

https://www.gillymacdesigns.com/2025/01/gillymac-essenti…r-sewing-journey/ ‎

Have you ever been on my website ??? I’d love to know if the way I have written it resonates with you. I love sewing and want my passion for it and the importance of the community I’ve built to shine through ✨

www.gillymacdesigns.com

Just one more batch …..

What do you remember from 2024?

Yesterday was my birthday, and we had a lovely, slow day here. I got time to look through pictures that I'd taken of events in the GillyMac year. So much had happened, and the creativity was fabulous. I've put to get a montage of the year.

You can find it on the blog section of my website.

https://www.gillymacdesigns.com/2025/01/gillymac-2024-in-pictures/

Lets do this !!!

✨ What’s Included in the 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat? 🧵🎉

When you join the 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat, you’re signing up for a full year of creativity, learning, and community! Here’s what’s in store:

🎓 Live Tuition:
🌟 Two full days of interactive sewing in April – join us in person or via Zoom.
🌟 One-day online Quilting Workshop on 19th July to focus on quilting techniques for your Weaver Quilt.

🗓️ Engaging Online Events:
🎨 Colour Choice Discussion on 15th February to plan your quilt’s look.
🍸 “Show and Tell” Cocktail Hour on 17th October to celebrate your creations.

📜 Quilt Pattern & Plans:
✂️ Fully illustrated GillyMac Weaver Quilt Pattern sent on 8th February.
🪡 Three expertly designed quilting plans for your Weaver Quilt.

📹 Comprehensive Instructional Videos:
Step-by-step videos covering every part of the quilt-making process, available from 5th April.

💬 Exclusive Facebook Group:
Connect with fellow quilters, share progress, and get support throughout the retreat.

🎉 Fun Extras:
💻 Virtual participants: GillyMac Bingo with exciting prizes!
🍪 In-person participants: Delicious sweet treats during the retreat.
🎁 Special GillyMac Retreat Gift: A surprise to commemorate this creative journey!

The 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat isn’t just a weekend—it’s a year-long quilting adventure filled with connection, creativity, and fun.

📅 Sign up and get ready for the ultimate sewing

https://www.gillymacdesigns.com/2025-hybrid-retreat/

*** ⬇️ NOT LONG NOW ⬇️ ***

✨ What’s Included in the 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat? 🧵🎉

When you join the 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat, you’re signing up for a full year of creativity, learning, and community! Here’s what’s in store:

🎓 Live Tuition:
🌟 Two full days of interactive sewing in April – join us in person or via Zoom.
🌟 One-day online Quilting Workshop on 19th July to focus on quilting techniques for your Weaver Quilt.

🗓️ Engaging Online Events:
🎨 Colour Choice Discussion on 15th February to plan your quilt’s look.
🍸 “Show and Tell” Cocktail Hour on 17th October to celebrate your creations.

📜 Quilt Pattern & Plans:
✂️ Fully illustrated GillyMac Weaver Quilt Pattern sent on 8th February.
🪡 Three expertly designed quilting plans for your Weaver Quilt.

📹 Comprehensive Instructional Videos:
Step-by-step videos covering every part of the quilt-making process, available from 5th April.

💬 Exclusive Facebook Group:
Connect with fellow quilters, share progress, and get support throughout the retreat.

🎉 Fun Extras:
💻 Virtual participants: GillyMac Bingo with exciting prizes!
🍪 In-person participants: Delicious sweet treats during the retreat.
🎁 Special GillyMac Retreat Gift: A surprise to commemorate this creative journey!

The 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat isn’t just a weekend—it’s a year-long quilting adventure filled with connection, creativity, and fun.

📅 Sign up at 10am today and get ready for the ultimate sewing experience!

🌟 Join the GillyMac Hybrid Retreat 2025 and experience more than just quilting – be part of an inspiring, supportive community! 🧵💬

From February to October, you’ll have access to an exclusive Facebook Group – your go-to space for:
🎨 Sharing fabric choices & progress
💬 Asking questions & getting support
🎉 Celebrating milestones with fellow quilters

💡 Stay Connected and In the Loop!

We know life can get busy, so we’ve designed the retreat to fit your schedule with:

📹 Instructional Videos: Watch at your own pace for both the April Retreats and July Quilting Workshop.
🎥 Recorded Sessions: Catch up on the February Colour Planning Call and October Cocktail Party whenever it suits you.

Whether you join us in person or online, you’ll never miss a moment. From our buzzing February kick-off to the October celebration, this retreat is about creativity, connection, and community.

🧡 With GillyMac, you’ll have everything you need for a seamless, stress-free experience. Ready to quilt, connect, and create? Sign up tomorrow and be part of this incredible journey!

*** ⬇️ NOT LONG NOW ⬇️ ***

✨ What’s Included in the 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat? 🧵🎉

When you join the 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat, you’re signing up for a full year of creativity, learning, and community! Here’s what’s in store:

🎓 Live Tuition:
🌟 Two full days of interactive sewing in April – join us in person or via Zoom.
🌟 One-day online Quilting Workshop on 19th July to focus on quilting techniques for your Weaver Quilt.

🗓️ Engaging Online Events:
🎨 Colour Choice Discussion on 15th February to plan your quilt’s look.
🍸 “Show and Tell” Cocktail Hour on 17th October to celebrate your creations.

📜 Quilt Pattern & Plans:
✂️ Fully illustrated GillyMac Weaver Quilt Pattern sent on 8th February.
🪡 Three expertly designed quilting plans for your Weaver Quilt.

📹 Comprehensive Instructional Videos:
Step-by-step videos covering every part of the quilt-making process, available from 5th April.

💬 Exclusive Facebook Group:
Connect with fellow quilters, share progress, and get support throughout the retreat.

🎉 Fun Extras:
💻 Virtual participants: GillyMac Bingo with exciting prizes!
🍪 In-person participants: Delicious sweet treats during the retreat.
🎁 Special GillyMac Retreat Gift: A surprise to commemorate this creative journey!

The 2025 GillyMac Hybrid Retreat isn’t just a weekend—it’s a year-long quilting adventure filled with connection, creativity, and fun.

📅 Sign up at 10am tomorrow and get ready for the ultimate sewing experience!

🎉 Exciting news for 2025! 🧵✨

This year, we're introducing a unique Hybrid Sewing Retreat experience that lets you choose how to join the fun

🌟 In-Person Weekend at GillyMac HQ: April 5th & 6th, 2025
🌟 Virtual Retreat from Home: April 12th & 13th, 2025

We’ll create the stunning Weaver Quilt—a beautiful 52” square quilt made with just three blocks! To simplify the process, I’ll show you how to quilt it in sections using the Quilt as You Go method.

Here’s the full journey:
💡 February Pre-Retreat Planning: Kick off with an online colour-planning session to choose fabrics and prep your pieces.
🎉 April Retreats: Enjoy a weekend of sewing, community, and fun! In-person attendees get cake & hospitality, while virtual participants can look forward to our signature bingo game and a special retreat gift.
🪡 July Quilting Class: Join an online session to explore quilting techniques and share your progress.
🍸 October Cocktail Party: Celebrate your creations with an online showcase and party!

This retreat isn’t just a weekend—it’s a year-long creative adventure filled with connection and inspiration.

🗓️ Registration opens at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 3rd. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this amazing journey.

https://www.gillymacdesigns.com/2025-hybrid-retreat/

✨ Big things are coming for the GillyMac Sewing Community in 2025! ✂️💃 Can you guess what’s in store? 🧵🤩 Stay tuned for something exciting!

🎉 New to sewing or need a refresher? 🧵✨ Our Beginner Single Evening Sewing Machine Class is perfect for you!

Here's what you'll learn:
🛠️ Set Up & Troubleshooting: Master your machine and fix common issues.
🔍 Stitches & Feet: Understand which stitches and feet to use for different tasks.
🎛️ Stitch Customization: Adjust stitch length & width to expand your options.
🪡 Needles & Threads: Learn how to choose and change them for the best results.
🛋️ Project Time: Make a gorgeous envelope cushion with a button closure!

Included with your class:
📚 Full teaching notes
💻 Access to the GillyMac Online Membership with 8 bonus tutorials
🎥 Online “Get to Know Your Sewing Machine” class (worth £25)
🧵 Fabric for your cushion cover

With only one spot left, this is your chance to build confidence and start sewing with ease. Book now, and let’s get stitching! 🙌✨

https://www.gillymacdesigns.com/product/beginner-adults-sewing-classes-various-dates/

🌟 Thank You for an Amazing 2024! 🌟

Your support this year has meant the world to me. Wishing you a joyful holiday season, and I can’t wait to see you back in class in 2025!

Here’s to more creativity and fun ahead! 🎉✂️

A little branding opportunity came my way thanks to the wonderful Jen of jenerates, and this became the Christmas gift for my regular class participants this year. I’m absolutely thrilled with how it turned out—and even more so with the amazing reactions it received!

Huge thanks to Jen for working her magic and overcoming the Royal Mail hurdles to make it happen!

“Six Plover Pouches wrapped and ready to gift! It was a bit of a push, but so worth it. Each pouch features two internal pockets—one mesh and one zipped—perfect for staying organized.

I’d love to make at least one more before Christmas, but the ‘just in time’ gift wrapping zone is in full swing, keeping me away from my trusty Janome machine.

My classes wrapped up today and start again on 3rd Jan (with an early return for the A-level group—how amazing is their enthusiasm to sew right into the new year?). Truly, their excitement is the best gift of all!

Frankie and I have given out all of the kids/teen classes Christmas gifts. We loved making the labels - all with firm acrylic felt and vintage (old) pinking shears that I inherited from my husband’s Auntie Vera. It’s the small details, don’t you think?

Ps. Naughty Deborah (from my Loose Threads Group) tried to make rude words with the initials 😲🙄🤣

♥️