Inside....

 Inside Patch changes often. I am NEVER satisfied with how things look. But after almost a year there are parts I can honestly say, yes! this is why I wanted a shop....this is how it was supposed to look.......

Now in colour order...I glare at Leanne and Georgia to make sure they put them back in the correct place ;)

The growing collection of oilcloth is now stored on very nifty stands

buttons..I really didn't want one of those cage like stands to display them - in fact didn't want these tubes either but they work!!

plain cottons (Klona) - obviously there are more than this pic shows, I am adding to the plains with some non Klona plains in the search for the perfect Orange!!

lampshade (30cm size) in the 'workshop' window

other window

Happy New Year

This blog has been the poor relation of my shop venture....I had planned to use it to showcase all the lovely fabrics we stock, show off our makes and share our workshop fun.....but as my last post was in October I think I can safely say it was a big fat fail!!

 
Anyhoos new year, new start and hopefully I can share more of the goings on at Patch.
2012 has got off to a good start, we have started a quilt club, every other Saturday a group of enthusiastic crafty ladies will be getting together, sharing their ideas and jollying one another along. The response to this has been amazing, and we are now full for this session, so we will be starting a second quilt club during the week (Wednesday the most likely day).
We have a new Workshop programme for January to March(that can be found here), and we are getting the list ready for April to June right now.
Katy is coming back to play at Patch in February. Her Jelly Roll workshop is full. But you never know if we are nice to her she might come back and play again ;)

Alex will also be returning to Patch for the 4th time, this time to teach Machine Embroidery with appliqué and paint effects, there are just 2 places left on this workshop, but Alex will be back again in April with workshop number 5!

2012 will be the year that the Patch website gets some tlc. Long overdue tlc. In fact there will be a shiny new website with better search facilities out in the www before the end of February. We have lots of gorgeous fabrics in the shop that haven't made it onto the website, and tons of new designs due to be delivered over the next few months, all of which will be available on the new site. It's proving to be one of those jobs that needs more time than is available, the launch date of pre Christmas has come and gone but I am confident about the February (self imposed) deadline!!

 (Riley Blake Daisy Cottage available in the shop now...and on the website v soon!)

We are still open everyday except Sunday from 9.30 til 3.30, you can't miss us....pink door and half a sign!! (thanks to this weeks east coast "hurricane"!!!)

Quilted Tumbler Workshop

Yesterday Patch was lucky enough to have a guest tutor for a quilting workshop.
Katy travelled half way across the country to show us all how to make a template, piece, quilt and bind a tumbler cushion.

6 ladies (including me!) got through the most difficult part (choosing fabrics) and had a fantastic and informative day. I loved seeing everybodys fabric choices, I always get fabric choice envy and wonder why I hadn't thought of putting those particular choices together!

 We coped with a machine malfunction....wayward tumblers that changed position while we weren't looking (that would be mine!) and all produced stunning cushions that just needed hand binding while we sat with a well earned glass of something in front of the tv that night.

 

 I have finished binding yesterdays cushion and have cut out more tumbler blocks to make cushion number 2 in the week. Have discovered I love (well maybe not love but like a lot) hand binding, previously I have reluctantly finished projects or looked for shortcuts....since Katy showed us a trick with a hair clip it seems ten times easier and am feeling hopeful that at least 3 of my started projects will get finished soon!

Katy will be coming back to Patch in January to teach a Jelly Roll workshop. More details and dates to follow.

 (photos taken by Katy and Leanne)

Hexagon Workshop

            

Next week I shall be at The Kirkley Centre, Lowestoft holding 2 taster sessions as part of their birthday celebrations. On Monday its fabric jewellery (ie yoyo necklaces etc) and on Wednesday its hand stitched patchwork (and where better to begin than with hexagons!!)

I received an email today to let me know the hexies session is fully booked - 12 attendees *gulp*.

I'm looking forward to sharing my love of sewing small bits of fabric onto a piece of paper!

We have also arranged a half day workshop at Patch on Saturday 28th May, which is all about the hexagons!!

This workshop will take place between 10am and 1pm and costs £10. 

As always, a place can be booked by calling into the shop, emailing claire@patchfabrics.co.uk or telephoning the shop on 01502 588778

The pictures show some flowers I made recentley from 3 inch hexagons and a teeny tiny flower made from 1 inch hexagons.....

Bag Making Workshop

We have added another workshop for absolute beginners, join Sheona on this half day session, and learn how to make a stunning bag as well as take away the pattern and the know how to make many more.

Bring along your favourite fabrics or choose one of our mini fabric packs to make your unique bag.

Its being held at Patch Fabrics, Lowestoft on Saturday 11th June from 10am to 1pm and costs £18.

Materials are not included on this workshop, but everything you need can be purchased from the shop. Sheona has designed this bag around our £3 mini fabric packs.

If you would like to book a place for yourself or a friend or relative (age 12 and over) please contact Patch Fabrics by telephoning 01502 588778 or by emailing claire@patchfabrics.co.uk.

There are limited places available, so booking early is advisable.

Jewellery Workshops

Jewellery Making Workshops

Come along, have fun and find out how to

Design and make your own jewellery

Learn easy step by step techniques

See and have a go yourself at some beautiful designs

Have a fun and informal workshop with some wonderful beads and trimmings

Starting 10 May 2011 1.00pm - 3.00pm then every 2 weeks

Cost: £4.00 per person per session (subject to change depending on numbers)

Welcome to bring your own materials but a wide selection of beads and findings will available to purchase.

This group will be run by Steph Appleton who has held many jewellery workshops in the Lowestoft area.

I will be taking bookings on Steph's behalf, early booking recommended as space limited.

You can email or phone me at Patch for more information on 01502 588778 and claire@patchfabrics.co.uk.

How well do you know your Sewing Machine.....

...or overlocker?? Do you use your machines to the best of their ability or do you drag it out of the cupboard (corner, box etc) and hope that it will do just what you want it too??
Have you forgotten how to thread your overlocker?
Ann Haughton from Suffolk Sewing School will be coming to Patch on Tuesday 7th June to teach. In the morning from 10 til 1, the workshop will cover the Sewing Machine. This course will cover:

Threading Techniques
Understanding Tension
Selecting the correct needle and threads
Sewing a straight seam
Overlocking stitches
Sewing Stretch Fabrics
Button Holes

Then from 1 til 4, Ann will be covering the Overlocker. This course will cover:

thread your machine from the beginning
understand how the stitch is formed
when to use a 3 thread overlock stitch
when to use a 4 thread overlock stitch
how to use the differential feed mechanism for perfect results
understand how to use the extra feet for your overlocker and those that are available

The following will be covered depending on the machine you have:
Cover Stitch
Lap stitch
Chain stitch

Each course costs £30 - but both courses booked together will cost £50.
More information can be found here and here.
There are limited places available so early booking is advisable...

The full list of workshops and classes available at Patch can be found on the website.

Workshops at Patch

We have been lucky at Patch to secure the very talented Alex Waylett, to teach creative machine embroidery skills in a one day workshop. The course (which includes lunch) would make a terrific Mothers Day gift for your mum or yourself!!

Creative Machine Embroidery for beginners

‘Learn how to use your domestic sewing machine for freehand machine embroidery. Draw with your thread to create modern designs on silk that you would be proud to frame.’

 WEDNESDAY 18^th MAY

10am – 4PM

Venue: Patch Fabrics, Lowestoft

Cost: £50

to include materials, coffee and lunch.

No previous machine embroidery experience is necessary, however it is expected that you are a confident sewing machine user.

Limited Places. 

 

 

  Full information and course requirements can be found on the Patch Website