August 2021: SHOP TILL YOU DROP!
You may be wondering why our monthly missive is arriving in your in-box so early. The simple fact is that we will be at Festival of Quilts at the end of the month when we would usually have been publishing it! Here at MAQ HQ we are getting excited about the show which, after much uncertainty (yes, until very recently), looks like it will be going ahead next week. There are numerous measures in place to ensure everyone's safety and, as exhibitors, we are getting practically daily updates from the organisers about testing and passports and various other procedures to keep the visitors healthy. There is no denying it is going to be a different show than in past years, but we intend to enjoy ourselves, work hard, greet friends, old & new and, of course, SHOP. We see from the exhibitors list that there will be many smaller traders attending this year which is great. Every fabric retailer has a different choice and display and we are looking forward to new ideas and new faces. If you are coming to the show do look us up - one, other or both of us will be on the OAKSHOTT stand (G46*) pretty much all the time.If I were to look at a pie-chart made up of how I spend my time, shopping would constitute a very small serving indeed - it really is not my favourite thing. Having said that, of that sliver of pie, 90% of it would be made up of fabric shopping; now that I do enjoy. I have missed being able to pop into our local fabric shops when the mood took me. I have been shopping on line, but it really isn't the same thing. It is so fantastic that the fabric shops are open again and they need our support to get over this past nightmare trading year. I intend to do my bit for the good of quilting and spend some money!
Shops, shows or on-line there are lots of ways to get back into the fabric game. Below we have rounded up some of our favourite retailers, ones we have consistently had good service from. In addition this month I have written a page of useful information for anyone venturing on-line to buy fabric for the first time - see the links below. If you have had difficulty concentrating over the past year you are not alone, many of us have felt the same, but now is a good time to start sewing, and shopping, again!
AitchBee and Helen Howes
Contact us direct on newsletter@modernartquilters.co.uk
HEADER IMAGE: A delicious delivery of NEW COLOURS from OAKSHOTT FABRICS!
* NOTE: FOQ stand numbers were correct at the time of publication, but are subject to change right up until the start of the show as the organisers try to accommodate the most up-to-date public safety information.
Dig out that metre of ombre fabric you bought but have no idea how to use! FOUR HAND REEL lap quilt by AitchBee may be just what you were waiting for
Hand-dyed and indigo silk fabrics by HH: go on, treat yourself!
We have always had good service from our friends at Doughty's, their prices are excellent, they have an extensive collection of fabric from many different manufacturers and their deliveries are swift and efficient. We have been missing our annual dose of their excellent roadshow (pop-up shops around the country) and it is a shame that they will not be attending FOQ this year, but their on-line service is superb. Always a few bargains to be had and if you are quick you might catch the end of the SUMMER SALE!
Does exactly what it says on the tin (or in this case, in the photo!) We first met Viv of Purple Stitches at the West Country Quilt Show in Bristol several years ago, and were impressed with her range of gorgeous modern fabrics. We have since purchased on-line from her with great success, and we were so pleased to see her on the list of exhibitors at this year's FOQ. Would recommend a visit to Viv's shop, on-line or in Basingstoke, and do look for her at the show next week - we certainly will - she will be on stand J56.
This is one just for for on-line shopping. Not only lovely fabric, but lovely haberdashery and dressmaking patterns too. If you are looking for something a bit different, a bit quirky, this is the place for you. You won't find Frumble at FOQ but do go and look at their website and while away a happy hour and a pound or two.
No round-up of retailers would be complete without our very favourite OAKSHOTT. Alright, we are a little biased here, but they really are a great company and offer excellent service. If you haven't come across them before (?!) Oakshott fabric is made from 100% cotton which is yarn dyed and then woven. As the name suggests most of the colours are shot (have a different colour warp and weft - more often seen in silk weaving) which gives them a beautiful shimmer. They are a joy to work with and the colours are stunning - come and see for yourself at FOQ stand G46.
I have always had a soft spot for Lady Sew & Sew since the days when they were my local fabric shop just off Marlow High Street! They have expanded a bit since then and now also have workshop and exhibition space at their warehouse in Henley. They have a very strong web presence and offer great service on-line. How they find time to attend shows too I don't know but they are stalwarts of Festival, West Country and other Quilt Shows where they bring their excellent ranges of fabrics, waddings and peripheries. Sadly not at FOQ this year - go on-line to see their latest products and special offers.
If you are ever in North Wales with an afternoon to spare we would recommend a trip to ABAKAN in Mostyn. Wah! It's amazing - and they have a cafe so you can park any disinterested parties while you have a good look round all the cabins. They do now have several premises around the North West of England, but the original Mostyn branch is still the best. They offer a good on-line service too and are often at FOQ, but not this year.
Oh my, we recently put in a joint order for a serious quantity of shwe-shwe fabric from these guys and admittedly it did come to quite a bit of money, but you get just as good a service if you are just ordering one or two items. Their range of African fabrics is second to none so if you are looking for something that's not 'run of the mill' do cast an eye over their website. We are greatly looking forward to seeing Maggie and the gang at World Textile Day East in October
There are several fabric manufacturers that offer Japanese inspired fabrics, but these guys have the real thing. Often including a little gold print (got to love a bit of bling) there's something about Japanese fabrics that are immediately recognisable. Even if your taste runs to their more muted, taupe designs they all seem to have a class of their own. Will be missed at FOQ, but go and support them on-line, you won't be disappointed.
Fabric, haberdashery and the most extensive range of patchwork and quilting magazines you will ever see! And, yes, they do have some rather super cat fabric including this lovely design by Laurel Burch, Queen of the Cats. Based in Hertfordshire, The Contented Cat are most definitely an internet business, although we have often met them at regional shows in the past and hope to do likewise again in the future.
Their claim to be passionate about English Paper Piecing is fully justified. You won't find fabric here, but you will find the largest selection of pre-cut papers for English Paper Piecing in the UK. Also acrylic templates (great for fussy cutting) books, patterns, threads and tools. We are so pleased to see that Lina are going to be at FOQ - call in and see them at stand G32, we will be visiting too.
This lovely visitor to FOQ 2019 alighted on the OAKSHOTT stand and spent several minutes perusing our wares before floating off again. Perhaps they confused the beautiful fabrics for flowers, an easy mistake to make with such vibrant colours and such co-ordinated combinations!
Modern Art Quilters SPECIAL OFFERS: NEW PATTERN releases, limited edition kits, lovely made things and fabrics galore
Modern Art Quilters SEW-A-LONG: Free patterns and resources to share and teach
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