A Vintage Weekend away in Manchester

To have family who are as bonkers about vintage as I am is wonderful. So to have a weekend away, mixing family time with not one but two vintage shows was a true delight.
Being in Manchester I of course had to start my stay with a curry on the famous Curry Mile – So nice!

The next day was shopping time. Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair was heaving with stalls and shoppers. I have been to vintage fairs before but never in a university city. So many students buying vintage! They have very good taste. We came home with goodies including a vintage Levi jacket and a small leather case that might end up as a new sewing box.

Shopping galore!
Homemade cake on vintage china
The following day was my first ever visit to the Textile Society’s Antique Textile Fair in Manchester, (organised by Decorative Fairs) and I was not disappointed. The range of goods for sale was everything from buttons to hats, quilts to hair pins. My only two problems were not having enough money or a large enough suitcase to take it all home with me! Next year I think I will be better prepared and take my car (don’t let me husband know). The whole selling space was one big bag full of inspiration – colour, textures, pattern, worn & aged and everything had a former life (which I love – if only the pieces could talk!).

 

 

 

 

 

By the end of the day I had bought a coverlet top from County Antrim in Ireland, lots of small quilted pieces and a huge safety pin. I had talked to some wonderfully knowledgeable people and made some new friends. A truly, perfect day.

 

Hand Embroidery Samples 3 …. Straight Stitch

Straight stitch is a versatile stitch…. the more I experiment with the stitches on this course, the more I am seeing unlimited possibilities for their uses in my own work. The sample below is Straight Stitch on Irish Linen, using threads including imitation silk, DMC stranded embroidery thread, hand dyed linen, Sylko 50 weight sewing thread,  Tudor Twist, and King Tut 40 weight variegated quilting thread.

The following experimental piece was created on silk fabric with threads including Tudor Twist and hand dyed linen thread. I am enjoying sharing this work with you all. I hope I am inspiring you all to have a go and experiment!

 

 

Busy, Busy, Busy at the Show!

Last weekend I was busy, busy bee at the ICHF Trade Show. It’s a super place to find the latest products to the craft world and also meet lots of artists!

Tamara Melvin of the Great British Sewing Bee, was demonstrating some yummy goodies for Prym.
She was a delight to talk to and was wearing one of her own stunning creations. I explained that I was a bit scared of dressmaking. She was very supportive and encouraged me to have a go!
May Martin, a judge on the Great British Sewing Bee signed a copy of her book for me. Published by Search Press.
Kim Thittichai was demonstrating the latest products from Vilene – hot iron and foils very close by.
On the last day I met Sheena Douglass, a fantastic lady who happily shared her paper crafting skills and techniques with the crowd.