Patch in Print

Patch has had some good publicity over the last month...on opening up my copy of Primary Times, I saw that Patch was mentioned in the 20 things to do this summer section....when its manky weather and you want to get crafty, we have fun fabric and ribbon to inspire you!

We were mentioned in Primary Times Suffolk but you can see the piece here...

Fiona from The Sewing Directory writes a monthly column in Sew magazine...this month she spoke about quilting and very kindly mentions Patch as an online source of quilting goodies!

I get so excited to see Patch in Print, whether its an advert we have placed or a surprise mention or write up, so the next issue of Sew Hip brought much delight!

The gorgeous gingham bias has made it onto the Things We Love page this month and Patch has been mentioned as a stockist of Tanya Whelan Dolce fabric.....
I have been lucky enough to see Issue 20 of Sew Hip already, it will be in the shops in the next couple of days..it really is fabulous! There is a gorgeous dress,skirt and dressing gown to make...aswell as some great projects  for your home.
While I am here..in case you haven't seen, or as a reminder...pop over to The Sewing Directory and check out the fabulous  Christmas Creativity competition..you could win a Janome sewing machine aswell as other great prizes for submitting your own tutorial for a christmas  related project.
If you need some inspiration, have a look at the new christmas designs over at Patch........

New Patch Packs

Smaller Patch Packs are now available at Patch
Each pack contains 2 pieces of co-ordinating fabric measuring approx 26 cm x 55cm and ribbon and trim to inspire you, or 5m of white bunting tape for making..well ...bunting perhaps!!

At just £3.25 each, they are ideal for small crafty projects..or to make bunting for your summer home....or how about as party favours for a little girls party??
These packs will soon be available as a party pack so you can host a stitching party for a little girl (or boy!) and friends.

The 12 Days of Christmas......

We have added another range of festive fabrics to the Patch Christmas Shop
This design is by Sharyn Sowell for Clothworks and depicts (as the title says!!) The 12 days of Christmas....
cream is the base for a vibrant, contemporary yet traditional Christmas print

and for the words and numbers of the song.....

The 2 co-ordinating fabrics, a spot on a cream background and a red, cream and olive stripe print, complete the set....

These 2 prints are for life not just for Christmas!! The stripe especially would also be great for summer crafting..think beach huts???

They will also be available as a FQ bundle, tied up with christmas ribbon and bells later this week.

Saturday pottering

Today I wanted to clear everything off my weeks to do list so I could start a new week afresh...but its far too hot so I haven't!!! Tomorrows another day.
Instead I have been printing off orders (thank you lovely customers), ready to pick and pack tonight when it is cool,  and browsing the www.....catching up with some of my favourites blogs and sites from the days pre Patch when I had more time....and reading some new ones that I have discovered....I don't want to keep all the goodness to myself so from now on I shall be bookmarking things I find, and gradually sharing with you. Things like tutorials and inspirational ideas for crafting...
First up is a new tutorial by Flossie Teacakes for a Happy Morning Hair Accessories Board...a genius idea that any of you mums with girls are sure to find useful..you can find it here...
This is a great example of a project that only takes a small amount of fabric ( a fat quarter would be ideal).
I have purchased the pdf so hope I have something to show you very soon.(and if you are family or a friend of mine with small girls...this is a gift you could be receiving soon lol!!)

I have also rediscovered the Ottobre site..a magazine available on subscription, but available on their site are pdf's for small projects - I like this one for a young boys tie..you can make from any fabric you like to match your outfit for an event perhaps.....

Lastly, if you only have time to read one blog this weekend pop over to Birgitta Designs....
Birgitta, if you remember, did the fab shirring tutorial I blogged about earlier and is writing regular tutorials for her blog and for The Sewing Directory.  Today, she has added a fantastic blogpost all about moi!!! The start of a regular series of posts introducing fabric sellers...I was thrilled to be asked and Birgitta has certainly done Patch proud :-)
Don't forget to leave Birgitta a comment for the chance to win a Patch Ribbon Pack too.

Patch Policy

The last 3 months since launching Patch has been a massive learning curve for me.
Patch is still in its infancy and I am constantly working out how to make Patch operate the way I want it too and still maintain a stress free family life.....actually even pre Patch stress free was not a term used much round here....but now the pressures on our home life are much higher...

One way I can make things work better is altering the postage policy. As of today all orders will be posted the next working day after delivery, still by 1st class post, so your purchases will be with you soon after ordering.
If I can post the same day I will, and want all my customers to know that it is still really to important to Patch that you get to hold your fabric or trimmings in your hands as soon as possible after ordering.
I have tons of (what I think are) fabulous ideas for Patch and I just need a big heap of time to bring them to life....you'll be the first to know!!!

Ho Ho Ho

Today I have updated the Christmas Shop at Patch...my Christmas designs are coming in...and although I wasn't feeling as festive as I might in this glorious weather...I made up some FQ bundles...
We have added fabrics by Red Rooster from a lovely collection called An Old Fashioned Santa Claus.... available individually or as a bundle tied up with Christmas ribbon and trimmed with jingley bells!!

The jingley bells have also been added to the Patch shop in 2 sizes, sold as a pack of 5 - available here.
Its never to early to start your Christmas crafting....

shirring

Last week I made myself a summer top..a boob tube no less!
I know you will excuse me its non ironed state...and please also excuse the fact my vanity has to point out that I am not pregnant its the angle ;)
 All thanks to some fantastic tutorials and inspiration found via Twitter and Blogger.
First I found this tutorial, and then the lovely lady just blogged and blogged about all the shirred things she had been making until I could barely resist....
Then Birgitta posted her fabulous tutorial here and I stayed up until midnight - laptop and machine on to make me something to wear for a bbq.
The hardest thing was choosing my fabric, but I decided on Michael Millers garden pindot in orchid (available here). I used under a metre (75cm) to make it so it was great value, so for less than £10 I got a unique summer top.
I have to admit, as a novice maker of clothes, that I never imagined I would be able to make a 'smocked' type top....its not perfect..lets put it this way, you won't be seeing a close up of my shirring!!! But its wearable and was comfy and most importantly.......stayed up!!! And addictive.. I was going to do 3 rows of shirring but had to stop myself at 7!!!

Birgitta has had her fabulous tutorial on shirring published on The Sewing Directory and you can find it here. And I heard on the twittervine that Birgitta will be writing regularly for The Sewing Directory, so we can expect more great tutorials in the future.
And also check out her folksy shop here...where you can find more lovely clothing made by Birgitta.

Shirring Elastic can be found here....in packs of 3 so you can fill your summer wardrobe with fabulous tops and dresses.

For the Boys.............

We have just had another delivery of the Michael Miller Fabric Haul It in turquoise- we were down to the last 1/2m......its perfect for making boys clothes and accessories...
The Michael Miller fabrics in stock at Patch offer other designs for 'boy' making...aswell as haul it in 2 colours, we have dino dudes, a cute dinosaur print, and of course the unisex retro zoo print.
(you can see those 2 prints turned into shorts here...)

 There is also the 'look what we made' print..which would make great accessories for a little boys bedroom or how about a PE bag or crafting apron??

The cute hedgehog prints including this one.... .....hedgehog meadow, would also be great for making a little boys accessories.

Or for an older boys lounge pants perhaps something a bit more funky???

The Whimsy Doozie prints would look great made into trousers in bigger sizes.....

All can be found here, in the Michael Miller section of the Patch Fabric Shop