Future Classes sign up 'sheet'

As the classes are well underway now I decided it would be a good idea to create a sign up sheet just in case anyone is interested for the future. If you are local and would be interested in a 6 week course in Hardanger please leave a comment below stating what days and times would work best for you. If I can get 4 people (minimum) to agree on a timeslot then I will run the class again. When signing up, please say if you are male or female as it makes a difference to which venue I use. Please only sign up if you are genuinely interested.

Email malfunction

My apologies if anyone has been trying to contact me via the info @ indiagrace.co.uk email address. It only just occurred to me that it would have been messed up by the change of hosts. I think that I have got it working now. If it still plays up then please try vickim @ tiscali.co.uk

Website disruption 2

OK, the domain name isn't working right now (wish I knew more about this side of things) but the host of the original site is still fine so can be accessesd at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/indiagracedesigns . Hopefully I will figure out what is wrong soon.

Full info on the classes

As the website may be down I am putting the information here

A six week course running on

Saturday Mornings, 10.30-12.30

£8 per 2hr session

starting 21st January

at Curves Gym,

Talisman Square, Kenilworth.

This is a comprehensive couse designed for complete beginners or experienced embroiderers who want to learn a new art.

It is set over 6 weeks so that each element is taught thoroughly and can be revised in subsequent sessions. Once completed, this course should give you the confidence and skill to tackle any Hardanger based pattern that you come across.

The course is friendly and informal. You will need to be able to complete certain areas in between classes. This is so that the sampler is ready for you to move onto the next section the following week and also shows if you are happy with the stitches once on your own. We will go over any difficulties at the start of the next class.

You will need
28 count evenweave fabric 11.5" x 15" (30cm x 38cm)

1 ball size 8 perlé thread

1 ball size 12 or 16 perlé thread

size 26 or 28 round ended tapestry needles

these are available as a kit for £5.50

If you prefer a larger count of fabric the dimensions for 25 count would be 12"x16"

The kit is only for 28 count. If using your own fabric it is advisable to machine a zig zag stitch around the edge for stability.

You will also need
Sharp pointed Hardanger scissors

A frame or hoop large enough to hold it (unless you prefer to work without)

design size is 5.5" x 9" at 28 count

a highlighter pen and a pencil

A folder suitable for A4 handouts

Please email info 'at' indiagrace.co.uk to book a place.

As Curves is a women only gym, places are limited to women only.If any men are interested, please email me and I will arrange another class.

Website disruption

I am changing hosts for my website. This could cause disruption for up to 72 hours so please bear with me if you experience problems. If anyone needs an order urgently please message me and we can sort it out offsite.

Classes - the start date

OK I finally have set a start date for the classes. 21st January with a revised start time of 10.30 so that people from slightly further afield could consider coming. Please tell anyone you know in the Warwickshire W.Mids area of the UK

New prices

This is an advance warning. I shall soon be putting up the prices of charts and kits. I haven't raised the prices since I started the business 8 years ago and I haven't changed the postage in 4-5 years despite it nearly doubling in some cases. I just can't afford to continue with these prices so I hope that this won't put people off. It's still cheaper than a round of drinks in the pub! I'll leave it a week before I start making changes to give people a chance at the old prices.

This is a photo of the Hardanger sampler that I will be teaching at the classes in January. It's a pretty sampler using all the stitches that you need to feel confident tackling any other Hardanger based pattern that you come across. I won't be using black fabric in class as that's making life too difficult. In a few days I will post another version of it that has been sewn by a complete beginner during private classes.

Hardanger classes

The Hardanger classes are back on. I shall be running them in Curves Gym, Kenilworth from January. It will still be a 6 week course 2hrs per week. Probably running 10-12 on a Saturday morning. The cost of the course will be £8 per week plus a fabric and threads pack (should you need one) for £5.50. As Curves is a Women only Gym I have been asked to restrict the classes to women however if any men are interested please contact me and I will arrange another class, given sufficient interest. Please let me know if you would be interested so that I can start compiling a list.

New design onsale

Matilda is now available for sale via the website. I think that this is a lovely warm piece with just a hint of sparkle about it.

Twitter and an update

I have given in and decided to join Twitter with the business. It's on as IndiaGraceDsgns as they wouldn't let me have enough letters for the whole of Designs. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing yet but if anyone wants to follow I'd appreciate it.

In the meantime I am just finishing the 2nd in a series of 7 designs using Gentle Arts Sampler threads. These are part of a big challenge that I have set myself. I want to get all 7 designs published in Magazines and I am trying to find magazines in 7 different countries. If anyone has any suggestions I'd be really grateful. I can't post any photos yet but I am thrilled with the 2 that are complete and looking forward to sewing the other 5.

New US Distributor

Those of my customers stateside might be interested to know that 6 of my designs can now be purchased through Nordic Needle and their outlets. They are currently stocking Rosa, Marguerite, Madeleine, Grace, Aurora and Elfie. If those sell well they may be interested in expanding the range so please do check them out at http://www.nordicneedle.com/CTGY/000-00-00.html"

Latest New Release

Introducing Crystal. I have been working on this one for 2 years and am very pleased with it. The photo doesn't do it justice as it is a very sparkly piece in shades of peach and copper.

I am also putting Rosa onsale through my website as I was informed by the magazine editor yesterday that that particular issue of the magazine is already sold out.

Mackintosh Inspired Rose and Thistle Armorial

Not a new release as it has been on sale for several years but, as I designed it as a commission, I never sewed a model for it. I've been working on it as my 'in between projects' piece ever since so it deserves an outing!!

2 New Designs released

2 New Designs are now on the website, Seraphina and Elfie. Seraphina was designed with the idea of 'gift for a man' in mind and so is a subtle design in black and silver with smokey crystals. Elfie uses some gorgeous finca aqua colours with a hint of light effects threads and beads and crystals.

I have also released Flora and Hestia's Flame for sale. These two designs were originally published in Australian Magazines.

Counted Wishes Festival

I am going to be premiering 2 new designs, Seraphina and Elphie at the online counted wishes festival http://countedwishes.com from Feb 1st -7th. Please pop by and have a look. There are lots of fabulous designs by new and established designers as well as first chance to see these two.

New Year Update

I've realised that I have been neglecting this blog lately which is very remiss of me so I guess I had better update things.


The magazine has been out since the end of November and you can still get it in the shops for a couple more weeks. The response has been fantastic, people really do seem to like the design. I still have kits available through the website if anyone wants one.















I have released 2 new designs lately, Julie and Ylva (the latter kindly model stitched for me by Ylva Saleem) They are both now available for sale on my website.


I shall be taking part in the Counted Wishes Festival at the Start of February. There will be another 2 designs released especially for the show so hopefully you'll pop by and take a look.

Exciting News

This is my first UK magazine publication. It is called Rosa and can be found in the next issue of 'Stitch' The Embroiderer's Guild Magazine. It is issue 68 published on November 25th and available in larger Newsagents.

I am very excited about this as this is one of my favourite designs and the magazine is lovely and full of fabulous ideas. I will also be selling kits to accompany it through my website once it is released.

I have redesigned the front page of my website to show my latest designs and I am also going to create a gallery page as I know a lot of people have sewn designs using different colours and threads and it would be great to see them. If you have one you'd like displayed please email me a high quality jpg photo. I have also added a new guestmap as the old one had expired so please pop by and put yourself on as it's looking a little lonely right now. There is also a link for the India Grace Designs Facebook page.

A Good Review - thanks Margaret!

This was posted on one of the boards that I am a member of and I was so touched that I asked if it would be ok for me to add it to my websites.

I just have to tell you about the wonderful job Vicki from India Gtace designs has done for me . My friend is getting married next year and i wanted a wedding sampler for her. All the ones I could find were a bit too flowery for someone of our age. As she is Egypt craazy I asked Vicki if she could design an egyptian wedding sampler and she certainly has come up trumps. I received it today and am delighted with it. I cant wait to start. She has done a lot of research and every symbol has a special meaning. She did it in wonderful time and her prices are very reasonable.

This is not the first design she has done for me and i would recommend her to anyone. So if you are looking for something special or just cant find what you want, I recommed you give Vicki a try.

Thank-you so much to Margaret this is very very kind of you.

A new release and an update on classes.

This is my newest release 'Michelle'. I've been playing with trying a quite 'modern' colour scheme. The piece uses Finca, Caron and DMC threads and Mill Hill beads. It should be available on my website by the end of the week.

I am hoping to start classes mid/late September. Saturday mornings probably 10.30-12.30. Classes would be £6 per session with 6 sessions in total. I need a minimum of 5 people to make it worthwhile running the class so if anyone is interested please let me know asap. I will also be providing a fabric and threads pack to accompany the class (if you have your own this is not compulsory) this will be priced at £6.50 and will provide all you need to complete the class project. You would need to bring your own scissors and frame.