04/05/2026
It’s been really tricky to upload our May newsletter today, so here is the basic version for your bedtime reading tonight
Greetings Lovely Ladies
I have been mulling over writing this months’ newsletter for several days now. It may come as no surprise to many of our readers that being a retailer in this current economic climate is pretty tough. When we returned to Taupo a year ago we were full of optimism with our lovely big store and great plans to build our business. The reality is we are very fortunate to still be trading but we are hanging on by a very thin thread. We have been well supported by the tourist market over the summer months but now as we head into the winter the support of our local customers will be crucial for us to stay in business.
I have moments when I wonder why I even have a shop. I’ve considered closing the doors and working from home. Many of our old customers seem to prefer to shop online these days. I am always encouraged by people who like to see and touch fabrics in the natural and this is the main reason why we stay. The rich conversation and personal shopping experience is valued and special and being able to help you choose fabrics for your next project is the best part of my job. Unfortunately the decline in shopping ‘local’ is putting us under huge pressure and we are now looking very closely at how we can survive the months ahead. As a bricks and mortar store we have challenging overheads and we are reliant on foot traffic and local support to keep us going. It is hard to compete with online fabrics stores who may have a lot more variety when it comes to stock but they don’t offer the personal service or convenience of being able to buy in-store and have a real conversation with a real person.
All of the factors mentioned above have caused us to rethink how we do things at The Eye Of A Needle. We will be making some big changes to our weekly class programmes and our focus will be on BERNINA and bernette products and services. Our BERNINA CLUB will be launching at the beginning of JUNE and we hope many of you will subscribe to this and support us on our journey as we continue to navigate the future and stay in business.
BERNINA CLUB - HOW IT WORKS
Classes are only open to owners of Bernina or bernette sewing machines.
You can sign up to join our BERNINA club by paying an annual subscription of $99 before June 1st 2026. The club fee is valid for 12 months. The club fee is non refundable and is not transferable for cash or other classes.
Classes will vary each month and will be designed to help you learn more about your sewing machine.
The fee will cover 10 months of classes from June 2026 - July 2027 (classes will not be held in December or January). You may attend one class a week per month - if room is available you can attend up to 3 classes a month at no extra cost.
You may choose which day you would like to attend - either Wednesday morning, Thursday morning or Friday morning 10am - 12:30pm. There will be a different project each day of the week, which will continue throughout that month - for example Wednesday might be a foot accessory of the month class which you may start one week and need to return in two weeks time to complete; Thursday might be a sewing kit project done in a day, and Friday may be an ongoing Deborah Louie project (these are just examples but will form the basis of how the classes run)
The class schedule for the whole year will be available tomorrow (Tuesday) but may be subject to change at the discretion of The Eye Of A Needle if feet/parts required in class are not available at the scheduled time of the class.
To sign up for BERNINA Club, you will need to come into the store to register and choose your preferred class day before 1st June.
Any class requirements, fabric, thread etc. are at the members' cost and are not included in the club fee.
The first 5 people to register for our BERNINA Club will receive the BERNINA Big Book of Feet at a discounted price of $60. Other members will be required to purchase The Big Book of Feet at $95.00 as part of the class resource kit which will be used throughout the year, regardless of what class you sign up for. Books may be purchased any time after 1st June.
Bernina and bernette members ONLY will be eligible for our TEOAN LOYALTY system. You will gain points with every purchase you make which may be redeemed on any purchase in store once points have accumulated over $10.
Benefits will include:
20% discount off the foot of the month and classes based on how to use that specific foot
a current Bernina project to be completed in store each month
a season specific project (e.g Christmas/Easter) to be completed in store each month
$20 discount off an annual sewing machine service
Eligibility to the TEOAN LOYALTY system
Spontaneous spot discounts and goodies available to Bernina/bernette club members only
The Eye Of A Needle has the right to make changes to the club rules if necessary. Our goal is to foster the education of Bernina and bernette sewing machine users so that you get the best use of your sewing machine. We may add other class options over time including overlocker and machine embroidery classes, but we want to start off with sewing machines and build from there.
Please join us in making this a positive experience for everyone and help us to support you in any way we can.
BERNINA MASTERY CLASSES
Our Bernina Mastery classes will continue on the first Saturday of each month. If you have recently bought a Bernina sewing machine (3 series, 4 series, 5 series, or 7 series machines) then this class is highly recommended for you. You will learn so much more about your sewing machine than what you were shown in your one hour demo.
Mastery Classes cost $80 for the day and run from 10am - 3pm.
Morning tea is provided; you need to bring your own lunch. Bookings are essential.
Bring your sewing machine, and all the accessories that came with your machine (including your manual). We go through a Mastery workbook in class and you get to make lots of stitch samples including some free motion stitching and word art.
Future Mastery Class dates:
Saturday 6th June (King's Birthday weekend), 4th July, 1st August
SEW ALONG SATURDAYS
Our Sew Along Saturdays will also continue to run, usually on the second Saturday of each month. You don't need to have a Bernina or bernette sewing machine to attend these days. It's a great opportunity to get stuck in to complete a project in a day or finish off any UFO's that may be lurking in your sewing space. Bookings are essential.
Future dates are this Saturday 9th May, then there a couple of random dates due to other booked events, so Saturday 30th May, Saturday 25th July are in my calendar.
TUESDAY MORNING 10am- 12:30 - BEGINNER'S SEWING CLASS
If you are keen to sew your own clothes, or make things for your family and friends, but don't know how to start, then this may be the class for you. You will need to bring your own sewing machine. We start with the basics making a tote bag and then an apron, and then you are free to choose what you make next.
This class is 10 weeks long and costs $200 per term payable in advance.
TUESDAY NIGHT CLASS - 7pm - 9pm
Our night classes are held on Tuesday nights and run throughout the school term - $200
Come and sew with like-minded sewists. Choose your own project but get help if and when you need it, or if you're a beginner and can only do classes in the evening, then consider a night class with us.
We have a lot of fun and quite a few laughs on Tuesday nights.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SEW ALONGS - 1:30pm - 4pm
Come and sew with like-minded sewists. Choose your own project but get help if and when you need it.
We currently have an afternoon class running from 1:30pm - 4pm every Wednesday
Class fee for the 10 week term is $200
MAKE YOUR OWN FABRIC HOUSE
Our second workshop with Linda will be to make a fabric house - it could be a Santa House, Gingerbread House, Angel House - whatever you want it to be! You can use themed fabric, and pop some battery operated lights inside to make your house twinkle at night time.
We have Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd May highlighted in the calendar for this workshop. Please confirm your interest with a non-refundable $120 class fee.
Class requirements will be available on registration.
JUST BECAUSE # 2 WORKSHOP
Due to the popularity of slow stitching, Robyn Burgess is coming back to teach a new round of slow stitching techniques on Friday 26th & Saturday 27th June.
Whether you are new to slow stitching, or would just like to sit and stitch for 2 days and learn some new slow stitching skills, there is plenty you can glean from this workshop with Robyn.
i recently completed a slow stitched cushion which I started in Robyn's class last year - it has taken me at least 6 months to complete, but the satisfaction has been in adding little bits and bobs as the mood has taken me.
Please register your interest and pay the non-refundable class fee $120 to get the requirements list for this workshop.
I will need a minimum of 6 people for the class to go ahead.
We are very much focusing on our Bernina and bernette customers in this next season. We value each and every one of our customers so please don't take offence if you feel you are being excluded from some of our special deals just because you don't own a Bernina sewing machine. We simply need to make the most of the resources that we have available to us. You are more than welcome to join us on the days when we are not exclusively Bernina, however we would prefer to have full classes that are well supported than just have a class for one person which has often been the case over the past few weeks.
Several years ago, a dear friend once said to me 'When your circumstances change, you must cut your cloth accordingly'. This is exactly what we need to do right now - we know it won't suit everybody, but we do hope that in the long term it will prove to help a whole lot more people than it currently does.
We look forward to your support and response.
Happy Stitching
Kay
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The Eye of a Needle
2 Gascoigne Street
TAUPO, Bay Of Plenty 3330
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