A GREAT British Sewing Bee contestant will make a special appearance at an event celebrating independent fabric shops and haberdasheries.

Amanda Gledhill will judge a sewing competition during a day of celebrations at Goldstitch Embroidery Studio and Sew Cafe in Nettlesworth, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on Saturday, October 17.

The event is part of Sew Saturday, a national campaign by Sew Magazine aimed at encouraging shoppers to support bricks and mortar stores in their communities.

Goldstitch owner Jean Westgarth has organised a series of workshops in which sewers will be challenged to create something from a fat quarter of material.

Ms Gledhill, from Darlington, who appeared in the last series of the BBC2 sewing show, will then judge the entries and award prizes to the most creative.

Experts from Tully’s Sewing Machines in Sunderland will also be on hand to give demonstrations and tea and homemade cakes will be served.

The shop, which stocks a large range of fabric, notions and sewing equipment, will be open for browsing and goodie bags will be given out to the first 25 customers.

Mrs Westgarth said: “Sewing has become very popular in recent years, largely due to the Great British Sewing Bee. Events like Sew Saturday are a great way to support independent shops and also make new friends who share the same interests.”

A limited number of places remain on the workshops, which cost £5 and run from 9.30am to 11.30am, noon to 2pm, and 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

To book, call 0191-371-1444 or email jean@goldstitch.co.uk