Lady Sew and Sew warehouse in Henley

[ILoveAFullFridge]

I started a quilting class this term. My next lesson is on Tuesday and I'm running out of fabric. The Lady Sew and Sew website says that the warehouse shop is only open on Mondays. If I go there tomorrow, will I be on my own, splashing around out of my depth, or will staff help me?

I am sure they would be happy to help. I haven't been to their warehouse but they do go to a lot of shows and have a stand and they seem pretty helpful.

I am jealous though - their warehouse looks massive. All that fabric!

Should I leave the credit card at home?

I've been, parking's a nightmare, they have about 3 customer spaces. They aren't allowed to open everyday, in their lease. Staff are helpful. They have lots of fabrics, no designer ones when I went. Hope you have a successful trip.

Nooo! You can't leave a credit card at home. What would be the point of going?! That is what credit cards are for surely - stash building!

Take it, safe in the knowledge you can't go back tomorrow because they aren't open.

I've just returned. Grabbing a quick bite to eat before I head out again to collect dc from school.

O. M. G.

It was only when my stomach started rumbling that I looked at my watch and realised that I'd been there for 3 1/2 hours!

Wow.

Wow! That was some trip! Did you buy loads or was it too difficult to chose?

I was like a kid in a sweet shop: I knew exactly which lollipop I wanted - until I walked in and saw the choice.

I was quite restrained, I think. I only bought one bundle 'just because'. The rest was all stuff for the quilt I'm working on right now, plus one other item that I need for a different project. £51 - and a lot of willpower.

But I'll be back. I still need to get the wadding and the backing.

I thought patchwork quilting was all about using up scraps and saving money, but this is turning out to be an expensive hobby!

I keep getting emails from them inviting me to their Extravaganza Days and it isn't as far from me as I first thought. Maybe I should go........

Glad you found lots to keep you busy.

And don't forget, using scraps up can only happen if you have acquired some fabric in the first place. You have to buy this fabric so that you can have a scrap quilt in a few years time. Obviously.

So what are you going to make then?

I'm making a sampler quilt in my class. I've paper-pieced hexagons and Tumbling Blocks, and I've made the fan/petals of four Grandmother's Fans and a Dresden Plate. Also a flower with folded inserts. But none of them have their centres yet. (I don't know why the teacher is doing it in this order - perhaps she wants me to do all the straight joins before going on to curves?) The colours are mostly autumnal: reds, golds, greens, blacks, with mostly flower and leaf patterns, and the main background colour is dark petrol blue. At least, for now. Who knows how it may evolve!

BTW, my fabric stash is a box about 2'6" x 2' x 2' - stuffed full. I'm learning patchwork because I want to use it up!

I've only been to their shop in Marlow. Is the warehouse significantly bigger?

it's mahooosive. Their Marlow shop is the size of a postage stamp isn't it? Their warehouse is pictured here

Ok, that is significantly bigger.

That has to be the nicest warehouse I have ever seen! It always looks very tempting I have to say. I am thankful it is 45mins drive from me or I might be there every week.