This seems a slightly parochial subject, but even in a small country like the UK there are big differences between the North and South. I live in the Southwest, pretty, hilly, not many people although I am in a busy urban lite bit, and we just returned form a visit to Damian's parents who are in the Northwest, big flat, lots of people. The distance between us is about 260 miles. Back in the Victorian hey day of industry, the cotton mills were based in the North and even now fabric is easy to come by and at times unbelievably cheap. Turquoise linen £2 per metre at the market, lovely soft quality too.
The shot green linen- one thread is pistachio green, the other amber golden brown is from Abakhans. A huge great length for £6- UK sewers will appreciate the bargain of this purchase. I have mentioned Abakhans before, the website experience is not the same as being in in their bricks and mortar shop. Big wire baskets of random craft fabrics meet you as you walk in the doors and you buy by weight or length. There are lots of old Moda fabrics, other fabric companies odds and ends and seconds. I found a big piece of green houndstooth check from one of my favourite Moda ranges 1974 by Urban Chiks as well as a bit of Chloe's closet and a great little print by Sharon Kessler for Vera Bradley (both new names to me) but I love the pattern. I have plans for the first two for my partner's little clutch pouch in Pretty Little Pouch Swap on Flickr
I couldn't resist these measuring cups- not in Abakhans but a garden centre/ lifestyle store/ cook shop kinda place. I love nesting things although strangely not Russian dolls.
And these cute tape measures were in Hobby craft, I was stocking up on Needle grip it pads and these were at the till, one for me, one for my partner.
Enjoying the new blog look? Cleaner, fresher and about as restrained as I can get. I struggled not to hang a million bits and pieces on the baker's twine but I try to remember less is more and stuff generally looks better that way, being selective, paring down, is all to the good.
I have been to Abakhans - it is amazing. Those wire baskets are a treasure trove of delights! I got some great pieces of fabric from there - really unusual and such a bargain!
ReplyDeleteI however, am the wrong side of the North/South divide to make a regular trip. I stumbled across the shop on a wander around Manchester. Well worth a visit.
What fabric finds...amazing to find old Moda fabrics in abundance..I wonder where they get them. That would have made the trip worth your while.
ReplyDeleteGreat finds- jealous over the pond.
ReplyDeleteI love your new header and your general blog feel is great! I wish we had a Abakhans near us it sounds like my sort of place! I visit the local curtain makers and buy metres of remnants for pennies but its very much 'pot luck'.
ReplyDeleteKandi x
Your blog looks wonderful! I like the clean look of it. Here in the US, the south is where the cotton mills are. In fact, I walk through a big cotton field every day! They are getting close to planting this year's cotton and I hope they get a good crop so the prices will come down a little.
ReplyDeletewish I was your partnet Kerry! love the fabrics and the measuring cups and the panda bear tapes, so cute! I LOOOOOVE the new blog look, beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteFun finds! And lucky swap partner. The new look is lovely. Your banner is adorable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun place to find treasures! I think we all long for a place with unexpected lovelies just waiting around the corner. And I adore your nesting measuring cups! Someday I'll make it to England and make my husband do a grand tour of all the fabric places! lol
ReplyDeleteYes, Love your new blog look! How fun that you were able to fit in some fabric finds on your trip. Sounds like I need to visit the north of England when (one day) I finally make it over there!
ReplyDeleteGreat new blog look, Kerry. Always amazed by how good you are at finding bargains. Enjoy.
ReplyDeletei love the new blog look. the pretty pouch in your header is fabulous. and i love hearing about fabric bargains, too!
ReplyDeleteI need to go to the North West now! I come from the North East, and you could always get more fabric bargains there than you could in the South West where I have been 40 years. I didn`t realise it was still a great place to buy fabric, I assumed with the demise of the the textile industry it would all be gone now - I was obviously wrong. Love the little bag on the header.
ReplyDeleteI'm from the north east of england and there are no fabric bargains here! Sadly I find it cheaper to find fabric from abroad, and certainly more choice! Loving the header, lovely clean and inspirational!
ReplyDelete