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

Lampshade Workshops

This week at Patch its been all about planning - planning changes to one of our rooms upstairs (more news on that later), planning the new website (ditto) and planning a new programme of workshops for April to June. This is a job that, although I love doing it, usually leave til the the last minute...not this time. I'm ahead of my game!!!

There has been a change to the March programme, the pyjama bottom workshop on 24th March has been cancelled, and in its place we will be running our 1st custom lampshade workshop.

It will run from 1 - 3.30pm and will cost £30 to make a 20cm diameter shade and £35 to make a 30cm diameter shade. All you need to bring is 30cm of fabric (light to medium weight works best)
Spaces are limited so early booking is advisable....we will also have April and June dates for this workshop too.
We are very excited about these sessions - it really is the most fun me and Leanne have ever had making these (perhaps we need to get out more!), and this no-sew workshop is suitable for absolutely anyone!
We are taking bookings now - either by email (claire@patchfabrics.co.uk) or by phoning or calling in the shop.

Kids Club

Yesterday saw the first of our monthly kids club...we say club but really each month is a stand alone session with a themed project, there is no membership so basically you just book a place. There is a £5 charge and that includes all materials.

This month we made felt hearts - much fun was had and new Barbie pillows were created. Not having pink flavoured children the whole barbies needing pillows thing was a very welcome blast from the past (although I was a Sindy girl - mum thought Barbie was a bit of a trollop and highly unsuitable!!), it was lovely to see that 30 years on the desire to provide home comforts for your favourite dolls hasn't changed (now feeling slightly sick to realise that i am old enough to say I did something 30 years ago *crys* )
Anyways, we all had a lovely time - even though neither myself or Leanne don't especially want to see a needle that needs to be threaded for a little while ;)

The next kids club sessions are on Saturday 25th February and Saturday 24th March, from 10am til 11.30.(we are taking bookings now you can email or phone or come in and see us!) 

Teapot Coasters for the RNLI

The Cragg Sisters tearoom in Aldeburgh sent us the information for their design a teapot coaster competition, which has a closing date of 1st March.
Anything goes, knit it, crochet it, quilt it - the only specifications are it must measure 20cm x 20cm diameter.
All of the entered coasters will be sold in aid of the RNLI after the competition ends.
The winning entry will win afternoon tea for 2 at the tearoom.
For more information pop in to the tea room or email emma@craggsisters.co.uk.  

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"!!!)

Lauras Handmade Life - Book Signing

We will be welcoming Amanda Addison to Patch on Saturday 12th November to sign copies of her novel Laura's Handmade Life.

Laura's Handmade Life is published by Little Brown. And is available at Patch now priced £6.99.

Amanda will join us for a craft taster session, come along for a chat or to join in the fun! We'll have the fabric and ribbon ready for you to try your hand at some stitching projects.


This free event will be held at 9 Bevan Street East, Lowestoft. Please email or call for further information: claire@patchfabrics.co.uk/ 01502 588778

 Laura Lovegrove is leaving behind her seamless life in London. Her architect husband Adi has been relocated to rural Norfolk, a far cry from the ultra-urban Ealing she knows and loves. Laura knew village life would be different, but she didn’t foresee a pokey cottage, nosey neighbours, errant poodles, and even an ex-boyfriend turning up. Chris had been her big love at art college and seeing him again is utterly confusing. Is she really so different from the impulsive student who once trawled charity shops for vintage treasures?

When a fire all but destroys Laura’s collection of vintage clothes, she’s heartbroken - and seriously lacking in outfits. But, salvaging what she can, Laura makes do and mends - sewing purses, bags, even dog leads (which should solve the poodle problem). Soon, she’s inundated with orders. But Adi is becoming more and more distant, as if there’s something he’s not telling her. Can Laura make a stitch in time and pull her family back together again? 

Amanda Addison writes both adult and children’s fiction. A common theme to her work is the world of art & design. She is a graduate from Chelsea School of Art. Amanda’s interest in writing began when she illustrated book covers and articles. Amanda’s illustrations are mixed-media collage - using fabric scraps, trimmings and stitching.

  

 

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)