Stocking up on Swatches

If you take the train to Chichester and turn right, out of town, instead of left to the cathedral centre, you will eventually come across this unassuming warehouse. Travelling hours by boat and train to reach the eternal maker seems perhaps a little overly keen; that is, until you walk inside. After getting lost in its aisles of fabrics, rich colours just asking to be stroked, you’ll understand its cult following.

I found this place a year ago. The spoils of the previous trip have all been stitched in to bags, cushions and sundries, so a return trip was called for. And who more appropriate to go with than my mum, who started me on this crafty adventure back in childhood days of summer dresses, handmade dolls, and satin cushions (it shocks me now to recall how much I loved the colour pink!)

I had no specific project in mind so we filled our hands with bundles from their baskets of fat quarters and marvelled at the patterns: A deer wearing spectacles! A mustard yellow bird! A frog prince! All highly practical, of course.. So, I spent too much, as expected, and carried home a bag of brilliant colours. Now I have no excuse not to get stitching.

10 thoughts on “Stocking up on Swatches”

Sallie Kneebone on 11th March 2013 at 13:09 said:

Oooh, thank you for this tip!!
I pop to Chichester about twice a year with Reu and have never known about this place!!
I can see both of us slightly overspending………
- Rusty on 11th March 2013 at 19:07 said:
  
  They have the best button collection. You guys would love it!
Craftsonsea on 11th March 2013 at 13:12 said:

It looks fantastic there! Am suitably jealous….
Annika on 11th March 2013 at 13:54 said:

Oooh! I feel kinda inclined to drive all the way to Chichester and spent all my money! Looks like paradise. Is the last photo of what you bought? The tea cups are great!
- Rusty on 11th March 2013 at 19:08 said:
  
  It’s worth the journey! Yep, that’s some of the fabric I bought. I couldn’t resist the teacups!
Denise | Chez Danisse on 11th March 2013 at 16:55 said:

Well worth it, especially the deer wearing spectacles.
flo on 14th March 2013 at 10:40 said:

oh great- have just found your blog :) have you been sewing much lately? x
flo on 14th March 2013 at 10:42 said:

ok, sorry, just read post properly! you have some great sewing ahead of you! you must have been just thrilled finding this
- Rusty on 17th March 2013 at 17:17 said:
  
  This shop is such a welcome find. You know how hard it is to find good fabric round here!
Shoko on 22nd March 2013 at 17:04 said:

beautiful swatches! looks like so much fun!