Sunday Stash #11

I've had such a mad busy week this week that I haven't had a chance to do much sewing.

What I have managed to sew is a secret (although sneaky peak below and on Instagram as I'm terrible at keeping secrets!) and most of this week's stash purchases links to that project.

It's all done in solids (Kona of course) and half way through this week I realised I was missing some key fabrics. So Village Haberdashery, Sew Hot and Plush Addict to the rescue! Most of our major quilt shops are at Malvern for the quilt show at the moment so I wasn't expecting such a speedy response but the fabric turned up very quickly.

I'm still waiting in a FQ of mid grey and silver but other than that I'm now good to go.

Whilst perusing Plush Addict a 1m bolt end of this medium teal chevron fell into my basket. How did that happen?!

Finally, whilst having an emergency tidy up in the sewing room (nowhere left to store fabric) I stumbled across these fat eighth bundles I'd forgotten I got from Southern Fabric a while ago.

There are four bundles of Amy Butler fabric - Cameo and Lark I think - but they're not labelled so I'm not 100% sure.

There's also a fat eighth bundle of Avant Garden by MoMo for Moda and a bundle of High Street by Lily Ashbury, again for Moda.

The High Street is rather out of my comfort zone, having lots of yellows and oranges but it's such a bright happy collection that I had to.

I love fat eighths as I find FQ bundles really expensive and, unless you're doing a huge quilt, there's loads left over. Not that scraps are a waste!

Finally, the sneaky peek I promised. All together now - one fish, two fish, red fish...

The magic of the Atlantic ocean

A few years ago I set myself a challenge - to visit all 50 states in the USA. I was fantastically lucky as a child (and adult!) to be able to visit some incredible countries and had some incredible (and occasionally scary!) experiences. But, aside from the UK, my favourite country to visit is still the US.

I've crossed quite a few states off my list so far. New York, Jersey and Connecticut - done! California,  Florida and New Orleans - tick! Massachusetts, Alaska and Kansas - seen! Washington State and even Missouri (hello MSQC!) - all stamped in my passport.

One of my favourite things to do whilst in in the States is to shop, particularly for my beloved Yankee Candles and fabric. Whilst both these things are available in the UK, the costs are high and the selection comparatively small.

For instance, a yard of Mint Mochi by Cotton and Steel from Fat Quarter Shop is currently $10.75 or £6.97. The same yard from Simply Solids is $18.50 or £12.00. Admittedly fabric in the UK is sold by the metre which is slightly larger than a yard so you get more for your $ but not that much more!

Now I do not blame the fabric shops in the slightest - they are doing a fantastic job supporting a new and growing industry whilst doing battling with high overheads and a manufacturers who set very high rrps.

My favourite fabric shops in the UK are Simply Solids, Village Haberdashery, Fabric Frieze and PlushAddict. Ladies flying the (homemade!) flag for sewing, quilting, knitting and all thing beautiful in the UK!

 I, like many other quilters outside of the US, try to buy as much from local fabric shops and from within their country but at least once a season I'll put in an order from the U.S. Even with the postage and import taxes, it's still cheaper overall.

There must be a point mid-Atlantic when everything become much more expensive - like a fabric Bermuda Triangle. I'll keep my eye out next flight for a small island made up of jelly rolls and fat quarters.