NaviStitch and Sail Loft News

Here's what's happening in our creative space, the Sail Loft, the NaviStitch shop, and on Manningtree High Street over the coming weeks...

In the Sail Loft

✨ Magical Mystical Manningtree is now open!

Running until Saturday 8th November, this exhibition celebrates the folklore and witchy history of Manningtree - atmospheric, mysterious, and perfectly autumnal.

If you get the chance to pop in, we’re open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm.

Workshops update

🧵 Learn Paper Embroidery with me this weekend!

There are still spaces on Saturday and Sunday's workshops, as well as my Christmas Card workshop next weekend too 💙

📅 Sat 25 Oct – Botanical

📅 Sun 26 Oct – Coastal

📅 Sun 1st Nov – Christmas

All are available to book on my website now.

Double Book Launch – 1st November!

I’m thrilled to finally share that my two books, Botanical Paper Embroidery and Coastal Paper Embroidery, will be available from 1st November!

Each book explores a different theme and approach - one inspired by nature, the other by the sea - blending watercolour and thread, a workshop in book format.

They’re £14.95 each, and I’ve also created three companion packs to make it easy to get started:

Colour Pack: £22.50🪡

Tool Kit: £17.50

Paper Pack: £9.50

Or go all in with the Full Kit (£49.50) - which includes everything plus your chosen book for free!

Keep an eye out on my socials and website for pre-order details.

Craftco Southwold Exhibition

If you’re visiting the coast over the next few weeks, you can also see my work in Southwold as part of a brand new group exhibition at Craftco, opening today and running until, 4th November.

I’ll be exhibiting alongside Chris Harvey, Anne Plummer and Christian Davies - it’s a wonderful mix of stitch, wood, paint and photography.

Christmas Pop-Up Shop

🎄 Christmas is coming… and so is our Christmas Pop-Up Shop!

The preview evening will take place on Friday 14th November, 4pm–8pm - everyone is welcome to join us for a festive drink, browse and chat with many of the artists and makers taking part.

The Pop-Up then opens fully from Saturday 15th November, and we’ll be open every day until Christmas Eve, with one final open day on Saturday 27th December.

It’s shaping up to be our biggest and best yet, with handmade gifts, original art and plenty of local sparkle.

Christmas Card Competition Winners

A huge thank you to everyone who entered our Design a Christmas Card for Manningtree competition.We were delighted with the creativity and community spirit from all ages!

Our winners are:

🎨 Sarah Hutton

🎨 Rod J Kessler

🎨 Louie Scott (6)

🎨 Alex Scott (10)

And a special thank you to our sponsors Rio’s Café, Frippery, Bates Upholstery, and The Stour Store for their generous support.

Dates for your diary...

🕓 A quick reminder that we’re now on our winter opening hours - Wednesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm  right through until our Christmas Pop-Up begins (when we’ll be open daily right up to Christmas Eve!).

Until next time...

As always, whatever’s happening upstairs in the Sail Loft Gallery, we’re here Wednesday–Saturday 10–4 for:

🎁 Nautical-inspired gifts

💌 Beautiful greeting cards (many by local artists)

🖼️ Original stitched art by my own fair hand – plus work from our exhibiting artists

If you’re thinking about a bespoke Christmas gift, pop in for a chat about my nautical stitched commissions - you choose the chart and story, and I’ll help you create something truly personal.

Pop by and say hello, or drop me a line to chat about stitched commissions, framing, exhibiting in 2026 or anything else!

Until then, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing.

💙Sam