When it was first announced that the Sprat & Winkle Quilters would be having a Quilt Shop Hop on Saturday 30th October 2021, I immediately put my name down to join the band!
The plan was to travel by hired coach to visit two quilt shops. The first was Village Fabrics based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire and the second, Lady Sew & Sew in Henley-on-Thames.
We met at 8.30 am in a local out-of-town car park armed with shopping lists, money and packed lunches. After a mad dash across the car park in the pouring rain I settled into my seat in the luxurious coach.
Although we arrived a little early at Village Fabrics, they were ready for us! A very informative talk given by Yvonne McAtamney the owner of the store followed by an enthusiastic shop, filling our wicker baskets with many sewing goodies and a l-o-n-g browse around. I bought 4 metres of a pretty cotton print for dressmaking, some Christmas print layer cakes and a panel kit for ‘Winter Chill’.
Wildflower Honey printed cotton by Nutex
After a quick introduction we were let loose in most enjoyable (and for me expensive with just two purchases!) tour of the store. I bought 5½ metres of Kaffe Fassett fabric that I plan to make up into my version of Vogue 8577. I also topped up my store of lightweight calico for toile making.
Petunias
By 4pm we were all very tired and happy to re-join the coach for a, what turned out to be, busy trip home. First there was the judging of the ‘Name the Quilt Block’ competition – that I won! Lorraine and Kate then took over with a Wordsearch game followed by Sewing Bingo. There were also some more raffle prize draws.
We arrived back at the car park in good time and I was home well before the heavens opened for yet more rain.
Caroline Gilham 31st October 2021.