Soul Blossoms

Back in August I posted about the new Amy Butler collection Soul Blossoms. It was due to launch in the UK in October, then December and now, finally, its (almost) here.
I have listed the 9 designs Patch is initially stocking over on the website.

buttercup in spearmint

delhi blooms in grass

disco flower in hot pink

fuschia tree in chartreuse

laurel dots in cherry

passion lily in cerise pink

peacock feathers in sea glass

sari blooms in raspberry

temple doors in freshmint

They are available to purchase now and will be dispatched on 1st February. Priced £2.50 per FQ. As always if you want more click the required number and it will come as a whole piece.

I am planning on making something for one of the shop windows from this collection...I have a plan (stan), more on that later!!

Technical Drawing

My friends husband is going to make my cutting table for the shop.... I know what I want so he asked me to do him a drawing.
There was head shaking apparently....

I think its obvious..don't you???

Restraint

Whilst I wait for the keys to the shop, I am using the time to make sure we will have stock to fill it!
Its a tough job but someone has to do it ;)
This week I have been contacting new suppliers, placing orders (and pleading that they don't deliver for another couple of weeks until we are in and have somewhere to put boxes...otherwise I fear my husband will leave!) and  having visits from new fabric supplier reps.
The collage above shows most of the oilcloth designs that we will be stocking in the shop (and also online). They are made by Clarke and Clarke and are fantastic quality and just beautiful, I could very easily have ordered all 100+ designs had space and pennies permitted.
I stuck very closely to the amount of rolls of oilcloth budgeted for on the shops business plan (think page in notebook rather than spreadsheet) did not deviate at all...And then we got talking about the cottons.
Then it went a bit wrong.

So these 5 designs will be available in home dec weight cottons. 
Well, we had to get the beach huts being based at the seaside!!!

8 days and counting until my lease begins - the landlord repairs that need doing before this date are still outstanding (I may or may not be driving past frequently!) so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I am panicking unnecessarily - these things do usually find a way of working out at the eleventh hour! In the meantime I am meeting 2 sign companies at the property this week to talk about signs for the front and window graphics and trying to get organised at home because, as of next week I will be leaving the house to work for the first time in 3 and a half years!!!

I never went away.....

I seriously couldn't believe that I hadn't even logged in to my blog since October..I really don't know where time goes, between Patch and the 5 boys (including my husband in that number I haven't produced an extra one!!) there isn't a lot left....but anyway, huge news!
It was always my plan/goal to have a real life bricks and mortar shop selling fabulous fabrics and sewing paraphenalia...but whenever we talked about having a shop it was implied that it would be 'later' 'when the kids were older' whenever 'that' would be. But then the months of running Patch from home ticked by, and while I was still loving every single thing about running my own business, the itch wasn't being scratched - my return to work wasn't...working. I need to be out at work, I've been at home 3 and a half years. I feel priviledged I was able to leave work after having baby no4 and be at home with my children but in order to keep sane......

.....this is going to be the new home of Patch Fabrics.
And we will be opening our shop in March.
The premises have been empty a long time and need a lot of tlc. But I love a challenge!
I get the keys on 1st February...but am going in this week hopefully to measure up so will get lots of before pics (brace yourselves!)
And you see that 2nd floor...its ours too! That will become our workshop space, or extra retail space if necessary in the future.
I am very excited. My head is buzzing with ideas, I have 3 notebooks full of scribbles and lists. I am placing
orders for necessary stock and waking up in cold sweats about getting everything done!!
Although I have lots of support from family and friends (well mostly - you know who you are xxxx) this project is me myself and I  - so the excitement is tinged with apprehension..but you only live once!
In the mean time the website is still live and kicking and has just been updated with new fabric

 

and fabric packs....

(click on the link to go to shop)
 ttfn
Claire x