WITH the focus on creativity, improving sewing skills, challenging yourself and having fun, the Petersfield Sewing Bee Challenge is back for its second year.

It is being run by Sew Creative, the fabric and workshop haven in Lavant Street in the town, and with new sewing and crafting challenges for both adults and children, this year adopts the Queen’s 90th birthday as its theme.

Customers were encouraged to enter and pick up a challenge box containing all the fabric necessary to complete three adult and two child challenges.

Each challenge must be completed and returned to Sew Creative by a due date with the first adult challenge being returned last Saturday, the results of which can now be seen in their shop window on Lavant Street.

Owner Jo Watts said: “The results of the first challenge are amazing and testament to the creative abundance in Petersfield. With over 65 entrants in this year’s Petersfield Sewing Bee Challenge, we are blown away by our customers participation and support.”

The next challenges are due in to the shop over the next month culminating in the crowning ceremony on June 25 where the Queen or King Sewing Bee will be crowned.

During the challenge, Sew Creative is also organising a community ‘Quilts for our Queen’ project. Customers are crafting two quilts in the shop, each being donated to the Rowans Hospice in Waterlooville and Project Linus UK to commemorate the Queen’s birthday.

To get involved visit the shop, call 01730 858020 or visit sewcreative.org.uk.