Vacancy.....

Running Patch is the best job I have ever had. There aren't enough words to describe how happy I feel knowing I am going to 'work'.

I love my shop. Love my fabrics. Love my customers. Love my studio space. Love to sew whenever I get the chance.

But... 

There is always a but isn't there???

It's hard work. Really hard work. Juggling everything with my 4 children, 2 of them still very young, a husband who works away half the week, a stupid cat, a social life (ha) and sleep sometimes gets overwhelming! 

I have help in the shop, Leanne and Sheona are amazing and between us we try hard to keep on top of everything but I need more help.

That's where hopefully 'you' come in...

Patch is looking for bloggers who would be willing to work for fabric and shout outs on this poor,neglected - but soon to be managed properly- blog!!

The job spec goes as follows - every couple of months we send you 2 bundles of fabric - one for you and one to turn into a sample, with a tutorial ( or you can use an online tutorial or book pattern) for the shop/blog. 

We would like you to blog about it which I can then post on the Patch blog linking back to you. 

We will cover all postage costs.

Does this sound like something you would like to do? 

I hope so, if you are interested please email me patchfabrics@hotmail.co.uk with your name and your blog name.

Hope to hear from you soon! 

1930's Playtime

    

These gorgeous precuts landed at Patch last week.

1930's Playtime by Chloes Closet for Moda does what it says on the tin.... It's a collection of vintage repro prints in lovely pastel and primary colours. 

We have charm squares, layer cakes and mini charms, as well as jelly rolls too (coming on Katy's Jelly Roll workshop?? This line would be a great fabric choice).

I wanted to make something that shows off how gorgeous this collection is.
 

Dresden Plates are perfect. 

This tutorial from mama said sew is the best I have come across. And there is a printable template to make life easy! 

I cut the blades from a charm pack - 2 from each square so you will get 4 plates from each pack.

All you then need is 30cm of co-ordinations fabric for the circles in the middle. I only ordered precuts (huge mistake on my part) as I was shown the collection on paper and that sometimes makes it harder to see what will work...but anyhow no point crying over unordered fabric ;)
 

I used a tiny tone on tone dot for the centres.
 

These plates have been appliquéd onto more plain fabric and will be turned into cushions for a display in the shop.

 

I had so much fun making these - chain piecing the blades really speeds things up. I'm all about the time saving!!!
 

And who doesn't love a project that looks like its taken way more work than it actually has!! 

 

The quilting is very simple - so as not to take away from the fabrics you know...nothing to do with my ability/attention span!!! To finish it off I pieced the back from leftover charms and made a speedy zip fastening cushion.

Dressmaking

There has been a surge of dressmaking projects recently at Patch. 

Although we are not specifically a dressmaking fabric shop ( no stretch Lycra or poly cotton here *shudders*!!!)- the great thing with our quilt weight fabric is that, as they are 100% cotton, they are perfect for garment making too.

The last couple of months have seen some amazing creations being made by our ladies and gentlemen, some nights at quilt club we think we should change the name!! 

Graham, spent 4 mornings with us making this amazing wool waistcoat, lined with a metallic pindot. He was a pleasure to teach, great company, and a mine of country music information - I gave him a line of a song I had heard and liked on the radio 6 years ago and not only did he know what it was, he put it on a disc and brought it in for me, best one to one student ever!!! 

This gorgeous Cath Kidston inspired top was made by Hannah, our work experience student who was with us at the end of June. She was a natural and has a great textile-y future ahead of her.

I made these skirts after taking one of our pattern making classes. With Nickys expert guidance we measured, drew and cut and all had perfectly fitting skirts.

Nicky is one of our guest tutors, who will be back with us after the summer. ( she is also mumma to the gorgeous Charlotte from Lawson and Lottie) 

 

Our dressmaking for beginners workshops are proving very popular, this workshop teaches you how to read and cut out a commercial dressmaking pattern and construct a garment. 

Today the first group of ladies arrived at Patch armed with fabric and patterns and  enthusiasm, which never waned all day, even when energy levels did!

 The morning was spent preparing. And learning that pattern size measurements aren't always the same as the dress size we wear!

The next beginners dressmaking workshop is in early August, it is fully booked, but we will be holding more of these classes in the autumn.

We welcome anyone to join us one2one or in a small group, just ask for more details or to arrange a date.

. 

Fat Quarterly Retreat 2013

Next week Leanne and I will be travelling down to London for the 2nd Fat Quarterly Retreat.

Looking forward to a weekend of meeting up with old and new friends and maybe a bit of sewing too!

Those of you who are going will probably know that Saturday night is market night and Leanne and I will both be taking our wares in a suitcase Del Boy stylee.

I shall be taking some bundles and precuts and will have a stack of Klona solids swatch cards that will be free instead of £2 at market night. 

Leanne has been printing like a crazy thing and has lots of her gorgeous designs available - including her new prints. I know I am famously Leanne's number 1 fan but seriously, however gorgeous they are on screen, in real life they are stunning.  

There is a discount code especially for attendees at FQ retreat. Enter FQRLONDON  for free delivery and I will bring your order down with me.

http://patchfabrics.co.uk/

Look forward to seeing you there :) 

Free Tutorial: Kite Bunting

The summer newsletter went out last week to all subscribers with a link to our free tutorial for this kite bunting.

It is a great twist on regular triangular flags, and would be just as great in a child's bedroom as it is in the garden (or our shop window!).

It is so easy to make and a great scrap busting project too.

We used Jeni B's brill Color me Retro collection available here.

Find the free tutorial over on the website.

The Little HouseMartin at Patch Fabrics

Just added to both the shop and the website....The Little Housemartin hand printed needlecase kits.



They are available in cerise and turquoise and the kits come with everything you need to make this great needlecase (I was lucky enough to get one for Christmas)
The inside of the case is a panel of screen printed fabric, the outside is a hand printed panel.
We will soon be stocking The Little Housemartin fabrics in the shop, but if you are not local to Patch Fabrics you can find them in Leannes Etsy shop.

New Year

After a much needed Christmas break we are back and raring to go!
We are gearing up to start this first part of the years workshps.And are planning the rest! Some sessions are fully booked already and we have had to add further dates. You can find the full list here.
For the first time at Patch we will be teaching hand embroidery, using Nicoles sampler patterns.....

Princess and the Pea

Abel the Stitch Explorer.
You can choose either of these designs to start on this full days workshop, we will talk you through the stitches you need to use, demonstrating techniques. You don't need any previous experience for this workshop, and all materials are included.
Nicoles designs make a refreshing change from the ABC style samplers that (for me at least!) spring to mind when you think of embroidery....I know Nicole wishes she could teach you herself...but being based in Holland its a bit tricky!
(Places are still available on Saturday 23rd February.)