Show Time

There’s a bit more to report on the stitching front this month – still no major sewing, but I’m gradually getting back into the swing of things.

The cross stitch design I was working on last month was finished a few weeks ago and made into a card. There was bit of artistic license with the design, but it was recognisable as their new house.


Last week saw my first trip to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate for four years. Previously I had gone on a coach trip, but these have not been running for the past few years. However, train times have improved and it now only takes a couple of hours to get to Harrogate, very similar to going Birmingham for Festival of Quilts. A friend had got a couple of complimentary tickets, but these were not valid on the Saturday so I took a day of work and we went on the Friday instead.

Friday was “Black Friday” and it was lovely to miss out on all the sell, sell, sell messages from large retailers and spend the time looking at what independent traders had to offer. The show didn’t seem too busy and it was easy to get to the stands to have a look around. I didn’t particularly need anything, but of course that didn’t stop me buying some things.

I got some spare bobbins for my machine, some bag making bits, a few Christmas cards, and a half price back issue of a magazine that I had contemplated buying when it came out just for the free gift. I recently inherited a Victorian thread stand and I have been on the lookout for some wooden reels to display on it. I didn’t expect to find any at the show, but to my surprise a couple of stands had some so I was able to get a few of those. I’ve seen pressing/cutting mat combos and want to make a travel sized one to take to Leeds MQG, so I was pleased to spot some wool felt that should be ideal for the pressing side of the mat. Quilting Antics had scrap rolls of tweed and after much rummaging in the basket, I chose just one (though I was tempted by several others). I’m not sure what I will do with this, but I’m thinking some type bag might be possible.

My final show purchase was a Shaker style box made by Keith Shorrock. There were several different designs of boxes and pin cushions, but I picked an oval box (long enough to hold a small pair of scissors) which came with an insert for you to add your own design to the lid. I’m not sure what I will add to the lid, but I’m wondering about some Liberty patchwork to make a padded top to use as a pin cushion.

No trip to the Harrogate show would be complete without a trip to Betty’s, and after we had seen all we wanted to see at the show, we went and joined a very short queue and enjoyed a sit down, a cup of tea and a cake before heading home. As would be expected, a couple of cakes also headed home with me.