Events and day trips

How was your weekend?

“So what did you do this weekend?”

“Oh I went shopping in London with 50 strangers off the Internet and we took over a Lebenese restaurant. What did you do?”

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I want to say that this weekend’s meetup in London was so tremendous that I’m finding it hard to describe. I tried to summarise proceedings in an email to my brother and pretty sure I didn’t convey how amazing it was (plus I know I missed bits out).

So forgive me if I opt out from trying to do it justice. If you were there, well you know. If you weren’t, our delightful host Rachel and many of the FIFTY other attendees will do a much better job than I.

Instead of a full round up I wanted to hone in some of my highlights of the day.

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A big highlight for me was how much more confident I felt at my second meet up than my first, especially given the scare factor of such a huge gathering. I think this was partly down to seeing lovely familiar faces. Rachel makes you feel like you’ve known her years. Marie is such a sweetheart, she always makes me laugh. Roisin is like a fantastic whirlwind and didn’t stay long but made a point to catch up with me. And it was lovely to chat with Catherine again (I had a feeling she’d pick my sparkly jersey from the swap).

Another highlight was meeting so many new people – people I’ve admired and read their blogs from afar and people that write wonderful blogs I’d not heard of before. Sitting with Camilla, Jo and Janene for lunch was great because they were all so chatty and funny. Finally meeting Sallie and confirming my suspicions of her Yorkshire roots was ace. And of course meeting LIZZY! Our international attendee. She really is so so friendly in real life. I felt a bit star struck to be honest; I didn’t get a photo of us together and I felt like I didn’t convey how grateful I was that she brought fabric over for me!

The V&A is so spectacular I can’t believe I’ve never been before! I’m definitely going again.

Goldhawk Road was kind of a revelation. It was so neat to see all the fabric shops along one road where we could bounce in and out of them all hunting for bargains. Now some of you may have noticed my desperate desire to find horse print fabric. And since Goldhawk Road is famous for getting end rolls from commercial fashion companies I felt optimistic.

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I wasn’t disappointed. I also picked up some other delights. Not much mind you as I’d already spent all my money in Birmingham. My swap freebies included this amazing bird print rayon from Lizzy, and a printed silk plus a cute simplicity sundress pattern from a mystery source.

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Finally, I was amazed by the generosity of Minerva Fabrics and Abakhans. These two companies effectively sponsored our day out. I can’t even begin to convey the amount of fabric, notions and trims Abakhans supplied to the swap. And Minerva gave everyone goodie bags they’d thoughtfully put together – see the awesome felted wool knitted fabric I was given (above). I always thought the blogging community was surpisingly separate from the sewing supply companies but lately my eyes have been opened.

* Meet up photos by Digpal Singh

(22) Comments

  1. It was so lovely to see you again, Amy! I’m really looking forward to hanging out with you again in Birmingham, too. I love that bird on wire print fabric too! x

    1. ooooh it’s on. Like donkey kong!!x

      1. Like a prawn that yawns at dawn.

  2. Looks like it was lots of fun… Someday I hope to meet fellow sewing bloggers and SHOP and SWAP! ~Laurie

    1. It truly is exciting and fun! You should do it!

  3. What a lovely roundup – it was so good to see you again and I’m so pleased you felt more confident. You’re a meet-up pro now ;o) I’d never been to the V&A before either and have vowed to go back and spend a day there…utterly stunning! Also, I’m so glad I didn’t spot Lizzy’s bird print rayon at the swap, as much as I like you, I don’t think that would have stopped me from wrestling you to the ground over it. In fact, if I knew where you lived I would come up and steal it. Ahem, anyway… ;o)

    1. ohh throw down!! You ain’t getting that birdie fabric off me 😉 See you in Birmingham. Sure it’ll be fab and hilarious!

  4. Rachel Pinheiro says:

    Was so lovely having you there …

    1. you are amazing Rach!

  5. It was lovely to meet you again and thanks for the jersey. I have definite plans for that! Hope you’re coming to Birmingham in June.

    1. Birmingham will be a definite as soon as I book my ticket!

  6. It was so lovely to meet you IRL! So glad you love the birdie fabric 🙂 I’ve got a tiny bit left at home from my Alma and I think it’s going to be the lower half of a Deer & Doe Datura blouse…

    1. oooh that’s such a good idea for it. I LOVED finally meeting you. Seriously hoping we meet again soon x

      1. Get on Twitter. Clare of Sew Dixie Lou is organising dinner next week before I leave 😉

  7. Oh my goodness that squirrel fabric is TO DIE FOR! It’s the cutest thing! Can’t wait to see what you make with it. Every round up of the day I read I get more and more sad that I wasn’t there but bring in Birmingham can’t wait to see you all again 🙂

    1. Birmingham is going to be sooo fun! Don’t worry about london. Can’t wait to catch up with you!!

  8. Oh, so much fun!! Good for you, so glad everything worked out so well. And, fabric with squirrels and bunnies and acorns on it????? Yes, please. 🙂

    1. heehee it was an amazing find! makes me feel so spring like!

  9. Jenni says:

    You were the first person I spoke to at the V&A and you were so lovely and helpful it definately helped me get over my nerves at my first meet up, so thank you! It was lovely meeting you, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you make from these lovely fabrics x

    1. oh you are so sweet! I remember talking to you and I didn’t think you were nervous. You came across very well. It’s so much fun meeting other sewists! Hope to see you again soon x

  10. So good to meet you on Saturday! And I have great plans for your royal blue from the swap. Love the horses, wish I’d had time to go back and get some myself. Oh well, there’s always next time… And the squirrels and bunnies – love it!

  11. […] eagle-eyed of you will have spotted an unfamiliar dress in my blogger meet up […]

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