Monthly Archives: May 2013

Summer has arrived.

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Here in Dubai it feels like summer has arrived.  In some parts of the world this is a great cause for celebration (I’m particularly thinking of the UK being British myself) but here in the desert we get a bit nervous and twitchy because we know that we are going to be dealing with sky high temperatures (I’m talking 47/48 degrees) and high humidity which means that the moment you step outside your hair goes flat and frizzy and your make-up slides off your face, not to mention your sunnies steaming up so you can’t see for the first five minutes.  As a result we all turn into indoor creatures and dream of the winter when the social scene in Dubai is what is hotter than the weather.

The beginning of July sees a mass exodus of cooler weather seeking expats to all corners of the globe.  Early July this year also sees the beginning of Ramadan, (the word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness)  a month of fasting between sunrise and sunset and is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship for our Muslim neighbours.  

The Sewing Parlour at reMADE DXB will be staying open during Ramadan to provide some crafty diversions for our Muslim and non-Muslim friends.  If there is a particular project you would like to work on we would love to hear about it and, who knows, perhaps we can make it happen?  

In the meantime, as they say on Star Trek, live long and prosper!  Image

The first 74 days.

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Hello everyone.

It has been 74 days now since we set up The Sewing Parlour at reMADE DXB and what a 74 days it has been.

We have spent uncountable hours developing our business online via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter but have (much to our chagrin) neglected our lovely blog.  NO MORE!  We are going to blog like blogging has never been done before and wow you all with our genius creativity, general good humour and sheer niceness.

I guess you need to be brought up to speed with what we have achieved over the last 74 amazing days.  Well, we have been in the press a few times you know (we believe our own PR and tell each other every day how fabulous we are) and the response has been hugely positive and life affirming.  We were meant to do this.  All paths lead to The Sewing Parlour so we can safely say that we are both ‘in our element‘ and loving it.

The only downside to being so fabulous is that we haven’t had a huge amount of time to actually make stuff.  Every now and then the urge gets too strong and we have to get out a sewing machine and make something – anything!  Do you ever get that feeling?

We laugh a lot (mostly at our own jokes) and think that there is a reality tv show in there somewhere and are considering buying shares in Lancome because we regularly cry our mascara off due to extensive bouts of hilarity.

We think, make lists, email people, have flashes of creative genius, drink tea and eat Hobnobs and yes, we run workshops too.

What topics have we covered so far?  Silver jewellery, decoupage, introduction to hand sewing, jewellery making using semi precious stones and traditional pearl knotting techniques, book binding, recycling your old costume jewellery, cushion making,  embroidery hoop art, making shabby chic egg cosies, making aprons, bunting mania and have other topics in the pipeline.

Is there anything in particular that you would like to learn?  We are always on the lookout for new guest tutors who are expert at their craft and have the ability to pass knowledge on to other people.

Do feel free to pop along for a cuppa and a Hobnob (even if it takes you three days to get here from Outer Mongolia) and you will be sure to find a warm welcome.  Lastly for today we would like to thank each and every one of you who has been supportive of us during our first three months – we love you and appreciate you.

Lastly for today we would like to  Image