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)

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.

Winner

Quick Bank Holiday posting tonight - random.org have chosen a winner...
50 comments..thank you very much everyone for your kind words, lovely to see lots of new followers too.
On with the show as they say......

 

Number 15 is Scented Sweetpeas...congratulations...now you need to decide which metre of fabric you would like!!

Thank You everyone for your support, hope you'll keep following for more news and giveaways.

 This week I should take delivery of Moda's Sherbet Pips fabric ...I have been really excited about this..It was touch and go whether I would be able to stock this as I was late putting in an order, but I found out on Thursday its on its way.....

I will be adding to the website as soon as it arrives....heres hoping for tomorrow!! Aneela Hoey's fabulous blog can be found here..where you can read all about the evolution of this fab collection x