Saturday 5 April 2014

Black Sheep Wools & Fabrics

Last week I finished making this bag, made from the range of fabrics designed by Tim Holtz.
I'd almost finished this table runner which will be converted to a craft seat cover for a friend, just like the one I made for my friend, Neet, recently. (See my earlier post) 
I had heard that my favourite yarn shop had started selling Coats fabrics, so I checked, and amazingly they stocked it so off we toddled to
As I walked in to the new fabric room I had one of those moments when you see someone you know, and I said "Hello, What are you doing here?"!!!  I then realised it was Stuart Hillard who won the Great British Sewing Bee last year on BBC TV. He was so lovely and we had a good chat together by which time I felt as if I really DID know him. He showed me a photo on his iphone of a super  patchwork hanging he's made with dress form shapes die cut from the Tim Holtz Sizzix die, appliqued onto the panels. Really effective.
He was there on a promotional visit in advance of the courses he will soon be giving in the store.
I stocked up on my Tim Holtz fabrics.....
and I also loved the Kaffe Fassett range and this one was perfect to fit in with my Japanese Folded hand stitched squares.
Close up of this "Paperweight" design... I love it.
 My favourite wool shop is now heaven to me now that it also sells such super fabric and haberdashery.
The staff are always so friendly and helpful and they now have an excellent cafe. Their range of quality main brand yarns are all far cheaper than other retailers. 
Perfect for a trip out from further afield, if you are close enough, and there's an ideal parking ground/creche for partners and DH's in the cafe whilst you shop. 
My one and only, long suffering DH (and the best chauffeur I know), sat with a coffee and read his Kindle quite happily.

 I forgot to take more pics but here's the new fabric room....

The eclectic Tim Holtz range in the corner beyond the white post... the stack of bolts I selected are on the cutting table and kept Stacey, in the middle, busy for a while cutting for me!

 The vibrant Kaffe Fassett range in the left corner, below....

14 comments:

Carola Bartz said...

Wow, fabric and yarn, I can understand that this is heaven for you! I would be very happy with yarn alone. When we're in Britain this summer I'll certainly check out some yarn shops! If only Britain wouldn't be so darn expensive!

tilly said...

it looks like you had a wonderful time Jo.....I almost went and then my friend got tickets for the Leigh Craft show so I went with her.! I think I need to pop down the road to Culcheth, next time you go.... call in for coffee, mine is free lol.more money for stash and Drivers very welcome!!!
Tilly

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow Jo, love your choices! I still haven't managed to get to Culcheth yet even though loads of people have told me about it! Been looking at Kaffe Fasset's fabrics - used to love watching him on tv way back when he used to be afternoon tv(in the70's I think! What a bonus meeting Stuart! Chrisx

fairy thoughts said...

Ooo jo it all looks scrummy, as you know I love a good haby dept. I am waiting for some Tim fabrics from simply homemade magazine wasn't sure what to make with them maybe a table runner will be a good idea
Janet

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Goodness, I love that Kaffe Fasset fabric, it's GORGEOUS!! Looks like a fab shop!
Hugs, LLJ xxxx

Annie said...

Wow Jo that looks like my idea of heaven....a day out for the future me thinks :-)
Hugs,
Annie x

Redanne said...

Oh, my idea of heaven too, Tim Holtz and Kaffe Fassett together - wow. I still remember knitting a KF jumper for my mother in law about 30 years ago, when Kaffe was just starting out and I got to meet him at Styal Mill where he was running a class - a lasting memory. Fabulous! Hugs, Anne xx

Carol Q said...

lovely bag Jo. lucky you to have such a wonderful shop nearby. lol at your encounter with Stuart Hillard. I looked at the photo and thought - I know that guy so well!

Anonymous said...

Fab shop! Wish we had something like that near us. Our local quilting shop closed a few years ago and the only fabric shop seems to mainly have curtain fabric. I look for fabric online, but would be nice to touch it first! Ali x

Twiglet said...

Fabriclicious! I use Black sheep wools for knitting yarn online - must check out the fabrics. I love your choices. Hope you got my email.x Jo

Ann B said...

I love the bag Jo, very different and beautiful. Haven't been to Black Sheep for a while even though it's only a 10 minute drive from me. Was in The fabric shop in Culcheth on Friday, which is 2 mins away and didn't know they were selling fabric there, will have to go for a snoop round and find out more about the workshops.
Hope to see you soon.
Ann
xx

cockney blonde said...

Oh Jo, how could you???? This is bad news for me. I'll now have to pay a visit. Let me know next time you're going, perhaps we can meet for a coffee. And I was only thinking of this shop today and wondering when there sale starts, x

Lee said...

Oh WOW,fabric heaven.Wish I was more talented lol.I am slowly making beginners stuff on my machine.Love to see what you have made,you are sooooo talented Jo.Huggles to you and family xxx

Helen said...

oh my word, that bag is gorgeous!! Love the look of that shop, even if I can't sew... it makes you want to!