Day 4 of the Fabric HQ blog hop giveaway!

So this is the very last blog post I'll be putting up here on our blogger site!

From now on we'll be blogging on our own website - it's just a bit neater than way.

If you want to enter day 4 of the blog hop giveaway - with the chance to win a whopping £100 Fabric HQ voucher, follow this link to our new blog and leave your comments there - if you leave one here it won't count, I'm afraid!

You can continue to read our blog using the RSS feed on our website and get other HQ news about fabric, tutorials (got some lovely Christmas tutes coming up that you don't want to miss!), giveaways and classes by signing up to our mailing list (click the button at the bottom of the page), if you've not done so already.

To follow the blog hop giveaway from the beginning (you still have until Sunday 12th Oct enter the first day's giveaway!) see here

Thanks for following us!

Rae
x

Day 3 of the Fabric HQ blog hop giveaway!

Don't forget to hop skip and jump over to The Sewing Directory today where Fiona is kindly hosting day 3 of our giveaway.  You don't want to miss out on this one! Tomorrow it's right here on our own site - yippee!

It's Day 2 of ther Fabric HQ Blog Hop Giveaway!

It's day 2 of the Fabric HQ Blog Hop Giveaway to celebrate the launch of our new website!  Today it's Katy's turn to host.  Visit here here for another chance to win some lovely goodies.

If you didn't enter yesterday's competition hosted bt Dashwood Studio you still have until Sunday to do so.  Visit them here for your chance to win a stack of their latest collection Fly Away.

Also, it's the Sewcial again tonight at Layby Farm.  It was fantastic to have the Sewcial at The Make Studio last month - lots of lovely room to spread out - not to mention the fab trestled cutting table at which we could cut out without doing in our backs!



If you can make it the do drop us a line to say you're coming so we can save you a spot.

See you there and don't forget to let everyone know about the blog hop giveaway!

The Fabric HQ Blog Hop Giveaway begins!

Attention, Attention! To celebrate the launch of our brand new website, Fabric HQ are giving away a whole host of goodies all this week via a blog hop giveaway. Make sure you don't miss ANY of them as each day you'll get the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win lovely sewing related goodies. The Blog Hop starts tomorrow (Monday 6th October) with our friends over at Dashwood Studio. Visit their blog at http://www.dashwoodstudio.com/blog/ and let the give away begin!!! 

 

 

It's getting chilly, so stitch yourself a hottie

We've just added another class to our offering on the website.  The lovely Emma May is hopping over the Make HQ Studio to show you all how to whip up a cuddly quilted hot water bottle cover - a perfect Christmas gift if you can stand to give it away.
 


The class will run on 6th October, 7.30pm-10.30pm... plenty of time to get one or two made before it gets really chilly!

Don't forget the Sewcial this Tuesday at Fabric HQ

We had our first ever workshop in the new Make Studio on Tuesday and it was everything we'd dreamt it would be!  It's so fantastic to finally be able to say we're in our very own space with lots of colour, a huge cutting table that we can change the height of (no more aching backs), lots of light and of course, lots of space.

 

 

Of course the fact that the first class was Emma May's brilliant Learn to Make a Roman Blind Workshop was rather fitting.  Roman blinds take up a lot of space and the cutting table came into its own when everyone was able to simultaneously stand around and get measuring and chopping.  We have the second part of this class in a fortnight but it has proved so popular that we have added another date - Saturday 1st November. We now have only one more space, so if you're interested then book it quick! 

 

We also have the gorgeous By Hand London Anna Dress Workshop starting next week with only two spaces left if you want to make this beautiful dress that suits just about everyone!

 

 

 

 

 
We're also now able to add another Sewcial per month to our calendar of events - oh yes! 



 

We have the very first Sewcial at Layby Farm this Tuesday 23rd September. Do let us know if you plan to come along and we can save you a spot.  It's 7.30-9.30pm £7 as usual and there's plenty of free parking.  Bring a project, get stitching, drink tea and eat cake - you'll be in good company.

New Fabric HQ Shop Launch!

It's the moment we've been waiting for - introducing Fabric HQ's new home! A massive thank you to Sarah Greer for the stunning photos.



 

 

 

We are TOTALLY in love with our beautiful new space.  It's so light and absolutely huge compared to the space we've had to date.

 

 

 

At last we have all 700 + bolts of fabric in one place and the room to increase our offering of patterns, haberdashery and notions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our massive new cutting table can be raised and lowered, providing oodles of space for workshops and The Sewcial.

 

 

 

 

But most of the time we'll have plenty of space at Make HQ - our very own studio space where all our classes will be held from now on.  This is seriously exciting - we've been waiting for the day when we can finally say au revoir to full-on battles with village hall trestle tables!

 

 

 

 

There's even plenty of space for a snuggly beat up old sofa where you can take a break from sewing or browsing in the shop, grab a cuppa and flick through a mag or book for a little stitching inspiration... and look at the amazing Make HQ Studio logo designed for us by the brilliant Sarah Lapham.  Loving those scissors! 

 

 

We can't wait to get started on our program of Autumn stitching designed to cover a wide range of sewing projects and cater for all levels of experience. See the Classes page on our blog and the website for more info and to book your place.  We kick off the season with Emma May's fantastic Roman Blind two part workshop this Tuesday 16th September at 7.30pm.  Only two places left at this class!

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who came along to our launch party on Thursday evening.  We were totally blown away by how many people turned up and overwhelmed by all the well wishes: there were cards, so many bunches of flowers, beautiful home grown dahlias, home baked treats and general excitement from everyone who came along and also from many who couldn't make it but wanted to wish us well anyway. Special thanks go to all the friends and family who helped get us in and ready for the launch.  Too many to thank here - you know who you are xx

 

 

Thanks to Jen for the amazing pincushion cake pops (how did we not get a photo of them!) as well as the gift of her totally brilliant sewing themed cupcakes.

 

 

 

Talking of gifts, congratulations to all those who came along and won our bags of sewing related goodies filled with fabric stacks kindly donated by Dashwood Studio amongst other things.

 

 



Poor Daniya spent a nervous minute searching for her winning ticket ...

which was found, at last!

Our time in the shop on Friday and Saturday was filled with arrivals of yet more well-wishers, new customers who'd been hotly awaiting our opening and lots of tired smiles from the two of us.  At last, at long, long last, Fabric HQ and the Make HQ studio are open for business. Can't wait to show you all around.

New Term - Welcome Back!

Hey all, how's your summer been?

For us it's been pretty darn bonkers!!! 

 

 
What with the move to the new shop and studio and another exciting project that we can let you know about in a week or two, it's been pretty hectic. 

But at long last we have tomorrow night's Sewcial. Phew .... 

 

We can't wait to see everyone again, have a good natter and share what we've been working on over the summer - or what we plan to get cracking on with.

 

 
We announced a few of our upcoming classes a couple of weeks ago but watch this space for new sessions in our lovely big studio at Layby Farm. 

 

But for now, join us if you can, tomorrow night at St Anne's for the first Sewcial of the new term. Blimey I've missed Jen's cakes!

 

10% off!

 

Hello!

 

 

We're taking a little summer break this week.  Don't worry, you can still place orders, they just won't be sent out until after our return.  As a little thank-you-for-bearing-with-us we're giving 10% off all orders placed between Friday 15th and midnight on Friday 22nd August.

 

 

 

Use the code 'summer' at the checkout.

(excludes gift vouchers)

 

 

Autumn Classes - boy have we got a lot on!

In case you haven't heard already (and you must have done unless you've been in outer Mongolia you know - we've been shouting loud enough!) we've been super busy getting our new Shop & Studio spaces ready for our launch in September - and seeing as we've now got all this lovely room we thought we ought to fill it with not just fabric and habby but, well you know, workshops and classes and the like.

 

 

So this is what we have on offer this Autumn - if your new-term's-resolution is to get out there and get sewing then here's your chance. Spaces are all limited to 6 so don't delay booking.  Once it's full, it's full!


Roman Blinds
The wonderful Emma May of Simple Pleasures Sewing School is back with her ever popular two part Roman Blind making workshop September 16th & 30th. Click here to book and for more details.


Infinity Scarf
This simple wardrobe essential can be whipped up in a jiffy! Once you've made one you'll be hooked! Friday 26th September 10am-11.30am. Click here to register your interest in this class and for more details.


By Hand London's Anna Dress
Sam Molloy takes you through the process of making your very own Anna Dress. You get to chose from 3 gorgeous variations of the pattern whilst we cover the basics of garment construction. 24th September, 1st October & 15th October. 7.15pm-10.15pm. Click here to book and for more details.

Staple Dress
A perfect beginner’s dress making project! No fiddly zips or buttonholes here just a lovely line or two of shirring elastic. Choose between two hemlines, a classic straight hem or a more dramatic drop hem style, with optional side-seam pockets. Thursday 16th, 23rd & 30th of October. 7.15-10.15pm. Click here to book and for more details.


Free Motion Embroidery
Sam Molloy shows us how to create a one of a kind picture using applique and machine free motion embroidery techniques. Working from a variety of images (or bring your own ideas) you will learn the skills needed to create a picture that can either be framed or turned into a cushion cover. All materials will be provided, but you will need a darning or embroidery foot for your sewing machine. Click here to book and for more details.





Make your Own Lampshade
Thursday 20th November. Easy and brilliant way to update the decor in any room of the house. 7.15pm-10.15pm. All you need to bring is your fabric of choice - everything else provided. Click here to register your interest in this class and for more details.


There are tons more to add - this is just a mere taster of what we have to offer this Autumn. Watch this space for info on our other workshops and classes. We're especially desperate to tell you the details of our Christmas workshops and our pattern cutting classes .... YES - PATTERN CUTTING CLASSES!! But, the little minxes we are, you'll just have to wait (he he!) We're so excited about our lovely new space and what we can do with it. Can't wait to fling the doors open wide to you all - I'm sure you'll love it as much as we do.

We're moving ...

Just so's you know... yes, we're moving.

 

 

It's been a long time coming but finally we are on the move.  We've been searching for a lovely big and bright space we can call home for some time now and at last we have found it! No more trips around the M25 ferrying fabric backwards and forwards from HQ Essex to HQ Bucks; no more splitting our lush fabrics in two; no - we will at last be united, with every last bolt and fat quarter, pattern and pack of pins in one place!!!

 

So what does that mean for you lovely fabric addicts?  Well, what it means is that you can visit us at our new unit at Layby Farm (next to The Bucks Goat Centre: plenty of parking and cute little tea room, entertainment for the kids AND The Chiltern Brewery just down the road) and see our collection of fabrics, haberdashery, patterns and notions finally all in one place - phew!

 

We will have over 700 fabrics there on the bolt, including a whopping selection of medium weight cottons and an ever expanding range of dressmaking fabrics including some lovely new cotton jerseys.  But that's not all - you'll also be able to take a class in our fantastic new studio(expanded autumn program to follow shortly), kick back with a cuppa on our lovely old sofa, browse our little library of sewing books and magazines or pop in with a sewing conundrum or two. It's going to be making heaven, peeps and quite frankly, we can't wait!

 

 

Every spare minute of late has been taken up with painting our beautifully big new space.  Next on the to-do list is the mountain of flat-pack to assemble.  Yes, Ikea nearly broke me this week.  Two hours on the phone trying to arrange deliveries and then finally a road trip out to Milton Keynes with the biggest kiddo in tow - not the end-of-term trip I had planned for him but luckily he's a sucker for Swedish meatballs!

 

It's not easy to keep your cool whilst trying to manoeuvre four flatbed trolleys laden with mountains of HEAVY oversized flatpack cardboard packaging through a self service checkout and then on to the home delivery counter, I can tell you.  Kiddo and I did our best, helped by the lovely staff in store - special thanks to Ray, his boss (sorry didn't catch your name!) and Sue who turned me from the brink of tears to laughter - oh the power of a kind word! Seriously though Ikea - get your online act together - the lads and ladies in store really show you up.... Yours sincerely, Grumpy of Wendover ......



 

 

 

Job done, we rode home to the dulcet tones of Kermit T Frog and Fozzie Bear singing about dancing bears and being green and in the end, all was right with the world.

 

Moving on gives us a chance to look forward with excitement about the future but also to think about what we're leaving behind.  We've been so very very lucky to have spent a happy year and a quarter calling The Courtyard Gallery in Wendover our home.  Gallery owner and all round amazing person, Mel Bird (a little bird told me gallery) has been our guide, our mentor in all things small businessy and most of all, our friend ... and for that we will always be so hugely thankful. If you do normally stop by the Gallery to visit HQ then please do continue to pop in to see Mel and the equally brilliant Becks of The Dandy Kid (who btw has some exciting plans for the space we are vacating!)  The Barn Courtyard in Wendover is such a magical place and we will miss Sue of Liberty Rose,artist Wendy Lewis, Chris and Mary of Lady Grey Tearoom and Trixie and her lovely ladies at Livelux terribly.  It is, however, time for us to move on, stop procrastinating and get that mountain of flippin flat pack assembled!!!

 

 

Although we plan to hold some of our Sewcials at the new studio, we are keeping our planned dates at St Anne's too.  So do let us know if you plan to come along this Tuesday 29th - it will be lovely to see you all, to catch up and share more details about the move.

 



 

 

Although we leave The Courtyard this Thursday, Mel has let us keep a shelf or two so we can keep you posted on what we're doing. This means you can still see some of the latest loveliness that we've had in if you're on foot mooching at the Gallery, or popping in the see Becks at The Dandy Kid.  We'll also be back for the super doper festive fun that is The Courtyard Christmas Fair in November - couldn't miss that now could we? 

 

So this is my last Saturday at The Courtyard - do pop in if you get the chance. Gonna miss gossiping with Becks, Mel and Jo, you lovely ladies. But as Becks said, we're gonna get a hell of a lot more work done!

 





Far Far Away is here!

It's heeeeere!  The hotly anticipated re-print of Far Far Away by Heather Ross!

 

 

 

 

This collection is inspired by tiny princesses everywhere who stay up past their bedtimes, love unicorns and send all of their important royal messages and decrees by snail mail.

 

 

Far Far Away was released originally in 2008 as a line of decor fabrics and remains highly collectible.

 

 

This is the first time that these designs have appeared on quilting and apparel weight fabrics.

 

 

 

 

What will you dream up for your little princess?  

15% off everything!!

Hello fellow fabric addicts,

In the autumn we're moving to a fantastic new space and we're just a little bit excited about it, as you can imagine. So in order to make move day a little easier and to make room for all the lovely new stuff we'll be getting in, we've got 15% off everything online* until midnight Sunday 13th July. Just enter the code 15HQ at the checkout to activate your 15% discount.

 

 

 

What are you waiting for? Go to www.fabrichq.co.uk and grab yourself a stash of that fabric you've had your eye on before someone else does!

More on the move later but for now, happy stitching!

*excludes gift vouchers