Monsters!

Working at The Cloth Store is very difficult for me.  I am faced, every day, with lovely, lovely things.  These spotty fabrics just said 'monsters' and I had to have some.  I did indeed make monsters ...

Green Hugger Monster

Using a pattern bought from the shop, I mixed the fabrics and used fringe trimming for fingers and hair, buttons and felt for eyes.

Have a go!  If I can monster-make, then you can too!

Our fabric ranges are seasonal, so if you have something in mind, and you don't see it on the website, or can't get in to Horsham or Crawley to visit the shops - just email us using the website contact form.  We are sure to be able to help!

More fabric inspiration...

Filled with enthusiasm after starting my quilt (see the last post) I have found myself covering everything that sits still for long enough in fabric!

This time it was some notebooks.  I just used a very thin layer of PVA glue, spread on the book surface - and pretended the fabric was paper, and covered it as such.  I even made a natty pen pocket on one.  Not content I made a bag to put them all in ....

A very easy and cheap way to funkify something ordinary.  I covered my diary too!  Visit one of our Sussex shops and discover lots of lovely fabrics for small projects such as these.  You can buy as little as a .25m - just right for an A5 book.

Tis the weather for a nice quilt .....

I decided that it was high time I broke into my fabric stash and what better use of random fat quarters then to make a quilt. I've been thinking about it for a long time now but not quite got around to starting.

I used a very handy template and rotary cutter from the Cloth Store shop to cut all my squares - very simply and quick it was too.

I still have along way to go!

The Cloth Store has lots of useful quilting tools and accessories in the online shop as well as an every changing seasonal selection of fabrics in the two Sussex shops.  Online there is also some of the gorgeous Moda range of fabrics, some of which I have used in my quilt above.

New Fabrics for Autumn: 100% Cotton Twill

We have just taken delivery of these lovely 100% cotton twills.  At times like this I wish I didn't have three boys - this owl print would make the cutest pinafore ...

This one would also be lovely! Very seasonal too, with leaves and acorns.

Both of these, and some others, are not in the online shop and in our high street shops.  Remember, our fabric is seasonal, and, when it is gone, it is, just that - gone!

Cotton Twill Fabrics for autumn at The Cloth Store

Moda for autumn inspiration.

New in on the website is a whole loada Moda!

Just a taster here - pop in to the shop online and take a look HERE

New Fabrics for Autumn

Our new stock is arriving in the shop and these 'Mini Spot' cottons were the first to catch my eye.

100% cotton and £5.99 a metre they are all round fabrics for dressmaking and craft projects.  You can see these and others in our Spots and Stripes Fabric section HERE.

Poly-Cotton fabric for all-round sewing.

The Cloth Store, although full of all the haberdashery you could ever need, is primarily a fabric suppliers, stocking all the basics you need as well as seasonal patterns and textures.
One of the core ranges are the poly-cottons.

115cm in width and £3.00 per metre.  They come in a rainbow of colours and we can order in any colour that we don't have in stock.  What's not to love?!

Poly-cottons on the website - Click Here

Tapes at The Cloth Store

I've been meaning to add these to the online shop for a while now, 15mm cotton tape, very useful for all manner of sewing tasks, including apron strings, which is what one customer requested.  I was pleased to be able to offer them this great range of colours too.

L-R: Top: Grey, Purple, White, Lilac, Royal, Burnt Orange, Khaki, Red, Daffodil, Cream, Slate
Bottom: Forest, Green, Kingfisher, Maroon, Light Blue, Bluebell, Pink, Ivory, Primrose, Yellow, Orange.  Black (not shown).

BIG, BIG. BIG Buttons!

It seems like every day new stock is arriving that threatens to drain me of all my hard earned pennies - these BIG buttons are no exception.

The are 2" in diameter and come in five gorgeous colours, tied on to recycled card.  I know it's a bit early, so I'll whisper ... stocking fillers!

See them all here BIG Buttons at The Cloth Store.

Looking for something smaller?  We also stock these button selections in a fiesty festival of colour.

Lots more selections on the website so pop on over and feast your eyes

Simply Adorable Handmade Pin Cushions

The Cloth Store is a supporter of the small.  It started as a market stall in Crawley selling fabrics before it became a 'two-brancher' in the high street.  It knows what it is like to start out, trying to make a path for yourself.  The launch is the website was very exciting as it meant opening up a whole new world of the internet and all the wonderful people on it.  I have found, for you, THE cutest handmade haberdashery, some of it I am starting to add to the site.  The latest are these brilliant handmade pin cushions, inspired by the flowers we see in our gardens every day.

Bellis Perennis

Anemone Blanda

Painted Daisy

Black-Eyed Susan

There are more designs but you will have to pop over to the online shop to have a peek!  As well as flowers, the range also includes a Lady Bird and Bumble Bee.

Too cute to stick pins into?  Just use them to decorate your shelf or window sill.

You can see the whole range in the ONLINE SHOP.

Peace, Love and The Cutest of Dresses

A week or two ago I featured a gorgeous Peace & Love fabric here on the blog.  It has proved very popular and one customer bought it to make this lovely summer dress for her daughter.

We still have stock so Click here to visit the shop http://www.theclothstore.co.uk/store/index.php?cPath=88_194and pick up a few metres for your own project too!

Thank you to Nichola Pitt of Granny Ruth for the photos.

Summer Loveliness: Liberty Print Bias Bindings

Lots of things make me go "OOOoooooooo!" and these are certainly up there at number one!  Now in our two high street shops and online are these delicious Liberty Print bias bindings.

They are £1.90 per metre and definitely deserve to be used for more than just dressmaking. Use as decorative ribboning, embellishing and tying up gifts, loops and tags, you could even tie them in your hair!  Too pretty to resist!

TRY SOMETHING NEW: Needle Felting

It's holiday season and we are all thinking about relaxing and taking a break from our daily routines, so why not try something new?
Needle felting is the interlocking and compacting of wool fibres by using specially designed pointed and barbed needles.

One of our newest designers is Beth Connors of Fibre Space.  She designs and produces these wonderful felt brooch kits. Each one contains everything you need to make three lovely flower brooches.

 
All the bits come packaged in a box made from recycled card and, at £10.00 each, and available in five colours combinations, they make perfect gifts too.

Here they are!  Linky Dink Felted Brooch Kits

A peek inside our Horsham shop

As well as being online we have two long-established shops in West Sussex. I thought a little peek inside at the wonders of the Horsham shop would be nice.
The shop is really central - opposite the bandstand in the Carfax - with car parking just a minute's walk away.

Inside it is filled to the brim.  All the basic essentials are there, from sewing machine needles to velcro by the meter as well as all the exciting haberdashery bits we all love - velvet ribbons rolls, spotty buttons, sparkly threads, feather trims, fabrics ...

Fat Quarters, sewing threads, craft tools, braids, bias bindings, elastic, curtain hooks .... (pauses for breath)...

Felt, PVC, Velboa, fuzzy stuff, trimmings, craft kits, sewing boxes, sewing machines and heaps and heaps and heaps of good solid advice.  You might even catch me in there!  If you are in Horsham - and thinking of popping in - let me know and I'll see if I can catch up with you!  Or just say "Anna sent me"!

Handmade Heaven: Pin Cushions

There is much change a-foot at The Cloth Store.  I am a-looking and a-finding some deliciously creative folks who produce handmade haberdashery to stock our two bricks and mortar shops and also to add to our online shop.
Our first item has arrived online and is this witty pin cushion hand-printed and sewn by talented Charlotte Brooks.

Being able to scout for things for the shop is a dream occupation for me, but it has it's consequences ... I want to buy one of everything!

Treat yourself! 'Please Enter Your Pin' handmade pin cushion

When it's too hot for duvets...

We've had a whole lot of rain here in Sussex over the last three days, a relief from that hot, hot weather previously.  But more of that scorching, dry weather and hot, sticky nights are forecast again and we will be, once more, throwing off our duvets.  Duvets are much too bulky and, somehow, a sheet is not quite enough so how about running up one of these for the kids?

Lovely 'snow leopard' velboa backed with bright blue fleece.  One metre of each is perfect for a small boy!  It's just the right weight to feel 'covered' but not as bulky and annoying as a big old duvet can be on a hot night.

So simple to make - just put the two fabrics wrong side together and sewing machine round, leaving a gap large enough to enable you to turn it right way round.
After turning the right way round,  fold the edges of the gap neatly in and stitch over the gap, then keep sewing all the way round the edge again.  Don't worry too much about the colour of the cotton as the stitching recesses into the texture of the fabrics and won't show.  The purpose of going round on the right side of the blanket is to stop it slipping out of shape at the edges.  And it's done!

You can buy Velboa and fleece by the metre from The Cloth Store Shop.
(By the way, the original choice was Snow Leopard with purple fleece but it was quickly decided - by me - that that was a little too 'boudoir' for a 6 year old boy and he was steered towards the blue!)

JUST ARRIVED: Moda

It's all happening at the moment, a big lot of stock has arrived in Horsham and I have been rushing around getting it onto the website and all ready. 
We have Moda!  These are from the 'Tweet tweet' range by Keiki.

See them in the shop here

Now those could all be whipped up into the cutest of little girls' summer dresses.  If only I didn't have three boys. It does save me a fortune in fabric!  What? I buy it anyway? I know, I know..

All Out Fabric Love!

I am totally in love with this fabric!  I want to cover notebooks, zoom up purses, stitch cushions and possess it in all it's hippy glory.  It is summery, retro, funky, fabulous and we have a lovely big roll of it all ready to be sold by the metre or chopped into my favourite things - fat quarters!

It's 100% cotton, £4.99 a metre, or £2.50 per fat quarter.  What's not to love!  Over you go, here's the link >>> Peace & Love Fabric at The Cloth Store

Gorgeous gift ribbons

I have just added these scrumdiddlydalicious new ribbons to the website...

They are 'snowflakes' of 3m of gorgeous velvet and lace ribbon in four different colours.  They are irristable so treat yourself!

Also 5m flakes of Grosgrain ribbon in orange, lime and blue.  There are all in the 'Just in - New Arrivals' section of the shop where all the action will take place from now on.

'Inside Design' opens in Horsham

'Inside Design' has now opened it's doors in Horsham town centre, just round the corner from The Cloth Store, the creative interior design arm of the company.

It's crammed with fabrics, wall-coverings and inspirational ideas for your home, funky cushions, clocks and some great rugs and lamps too.

Bespoke curtains, blinds, cushions and all home furnishings are made to your requirements, with expert guidance from Catherine and Wendy, our two interior designers.

Inside Design can be found at 39 Carfax, Horsham - right in the centre of the town and round the corner from The Cloth Store at 2b Carfax.  Drop in if you are in town!

Favourite Fabrics This Week

These are my favourite three fabrics that I've added to the shop today...

100% Cotton Stripe Fabric

100% Cotton Cute Pink Spotty Fabric

 100% Cotton Blue Spotty Fabric

You can also buy the two spotty fabrics as Fat Quarters. All from the 'Fabulous Fabrics' section of The Cloth Store Online Shop.

Essential Plain Fat Quarters

Not just for quilting, these Fat Quarter bundles of 100% cotton plains are fairly essential for your fabric stash. 

Eight 'quarters' making a total of 2m in lovely shades.  Our favourite is the blue stack - very cooling in this hot weather.

Available in Blues, Pinks, Greens and Soft Pink & Beiges you can see them all in the Online Shop HERE