I‘m on a crafter’s high. This weekend marked my first experience of the Ally Pally’s Knitting and Stitching Show (Alexandra Palace, for those virgins). And boy George what a show it was. I went along with my partner in crime craft my sister. The Knitting and Stitching Shows are defined as one of the best exhibitions for lovers of textiles in the UK. There were quite literally hundreds of exhibitors selling allsorts, from fine yard and quilting to découpage, cross-stitch and trillions of fabric choices. The list was truly endless.
Two stands I particularly fell in love with were Alice Caroline, and The Eternal Maker. Alice Caroline’s quilted Around the World and Tree of Life raw edge applique instantly grabbed my attention and were firm favourites. Both are on my wish list for future projects, check out her Etsy shop.
My sis and I also managed to squeeze in a lampshade workshop hosted by Prima and ran by Midnight-Bell Lampshades. The shades were simple to make and the end result looked chic and stylish…we were pleased as punch of our professional finish.
As we lapped around the exhibition stands we unexpectedly found ourselves celebrity spotting. We were accidentally accepted into a VIP Knitters Show, a catwalk of do-it-yourself knit. You can imagine the excitement here. Our first celeb spot happened here. He was a former contestant from The Great British Sewing Bee….errr his name isn’t engraved in my mind as well as Patrick Grant’s is – for some reason!!?! STUART! That was it Stuart from The Great British Sewing Bee!
Then we noticed we were brushing shoulders making lampshades with Tracy Brabin. And finally my favourite spot of the day and probably of the year was….PATRICK hello! GRANT. Not Hugh – Patrick. We exchanged a glance and a ‘hi’.. ‘how are you…’ and I then rushed off, way too red to remotely ask for a photo. He’s like the David Gandy of the sewing world! So that was pretty much our trip in a nutshell. I’m geared up ready for the next project and brimming full of inspiration and ideas.
Oh and last but no means least, I have a winner for the Liberty fabric competition. Random draw was done using a fruit bowl and scraps of post-it notes (….drum roll) its…Rachsews. Check out her blog she’s pledged to make and show us what she’s created. Thanks everyone who entered and to Sewbox for providing the beautiful fabric. Check out the wonderful Liberty collection at Sewbox. Until next time…which won’t be as long as this one.
A Make Parade 
Yay – I won! Thank you for the awesome giveaway – I was truly delighted to win some Liberty fabric – and Susan at Sewbox was lovely and helpful (and quick – I received that package on the Monday after the Friday draw!)
Looks like you had a great time at the Knitting and Stitching Show – and you encountered Patrick Grant! Must’ve totally made your day.