September Start and Help from Bloggers.

The summer months, and those ridiculously long school holidays (which ended with an 8 year olds broken elbow) , have meant that blogging, website updating, and newsletter writing have taken a back seat.

The new term has arrived so fingers crossed for a motivated, productive term.
We have made lots of changes in the shop over the past week but I know the website needs lots of tlc after a summer of neglect...hold that thought...I'm getting there!!!

As you know from my last blog post I have finally conceded that I.Cannot.Do.It.All.

I was overwhelmed with the response from everybody and I am really pleased to present the 4 bloggers who will be contributing to this blog and the website.

                             

                                             


Do pop over and see their lovely blogs!

And I'm looking forward to seeing their creations in the future.

It has been a while since mailing list subscribers have heard from me too. So tonight I sent out an email to 3 subscribers who have won the monthly draw.

Lorraine, Elaine and Doreen will all receive a lovely bundle of Christmas ribbons new in to the shop.

You can sign up here to receive my infrequent ramblings!


The broken elbow that has kept me out of the shop quite a bit over the last week!

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

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.....

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.

Knitmare on Elm Street

I am in love with this new Michael Miller design..probably not for the faint hearted though...

          the 2 prints below are knit pirates and quilt pirates..so cute....if skulls can be described as cute!!

they can be found over on the website.

They would look great as a quilt, and work really well with Ta Dot in Ebony aswell as Klona Cottons in black and grey. In the shop, customers have chosen these designs for projects including a blind and an adult skirt....I plan a quilt for 13yo's new room...however don't hold your breath..the friendship star started in January isn't finished yet!!

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.

sugar fairies....

I love to see what customers have made with purchases from Patch. And I am getting tons of inspiration from some very talented crafters.
For example this beautiful pinny

This pinny was made with Michael Miller Garden Pindot and Sugar Fairies - both in Orchid. And the pattern was from Cath Kidstons Sew book.

The fabric was bought on Saturday, 2 aprons were made, and this lady's twin girls have worn their new aprons to make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.
(almost embarrassed to say I've made bugger all from my copy of this book - not even the bag that comes with it)
Looking forward to seeing the bags that are next on the list Penny ;)