We round up our favourite craft shows happening around the country this year… read more
Always on the hunt for our next exciting craft project, we decided to set our sights upon some of the many amazing craft fairs happening up and down the country this year. Jam-packed with top of the art crafting supplies, fresh innovative ideas and inspiration, with both beginner and pro workshops – there is something for everyone! Whether you’re a knitter, stitcher, quilter, card making extraordinaire or if you fancy jumping on the crafty (and ever so addictive) bandwagon, now is the time to pop a date in the diary and get in on the action…
Festival of Quilts
Showcasing the largest celebration of patchwork and quilting in Europe, the Festival of Quilts is back this year with a unique blend of inspirational displays and workshops alike. Curated galleries that include an impressive array of quilts from around the world, there are over 140 quick and easy workshops for quilting newbies or master classes at the Quilt Academy for the more experienced. With experts Christine Chester and Maggie Grey on hand to give expert advice, we love the sound of the decorative phone case workshop detailing how to create your own personalised mobile case. For evening entertainment, make sure to book your seat to the Fashion Show celebrating wearable art (oooh!).
If you fancy reading more about the Festival of Quilts, then be sure to read our round-up from last year. Having a soft spot for The Festival of Quilts, we have a twinge of nostalgia knowing that back in the day Laura Ashley printed her own fabric, which has been lovingly used in quilts across the world!
August 8-11th 2013, Nec Birmingham
http://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk
Knitting & Stitching Show
Crowned the textile event of the year, The Knitting and Stitching Show is a must-visit if you’re passionate about textiles. As the name suggests, the show covers all things knitting and stitching – but so much more! With crochet, embroidery, patchwork and quilting, card making, embossing… the list is endless. The show offers a chance to peruse unique crafting supplies (perfect time to browse a new sewing machine), professional curated galleries by leading artists Dorothy Caldwell and Jan Beaney with hundreds of workshops including the Learning Curve for beginners. Not to be missed is the Upcycling academy, where you’ll be able to make something new from something old. If you fancy entering the world of crafting, The Knitting and Stitching Show is the perfect place to explore what tickles your crafty fancy!
October 10-13th 2013, Alexandra Palace, London
October 31st– 3rd November, RDS, Dublin
November 21-24th November, HIC, Harrogate
The Contemporary Craft Festival
Marking its 10th anniversary this year, The Contemporary Craft Festival brings together a wide range of craft enthusiasts and designers to celebrate all things make-do. With a number of workshops on offer for both adults and children alike, leave little ones in the Children’s craft tent and make your way over to The Talk Tipi where you can listen in on inspirational expert talks about the future of crafts and the importance of hand-made. Brimming with live action, catch live demonstrations from the likes of winning weaver Laura Thomas and wire sculpture by Celia Smith.
June 7-9th 2013, Bovey Tracey, Devon.
http://craftsatboveytracey.co.uk/
Renegade Craft Fair
Flying in from over the pond, the trendy Renegade craft fair hails from the US with whistle-stop dates in Chicago and Los Angeles, before hitting up the Truman Brewery tucked away in vibrant Shoreditch, London. With an indie focus, the hip Renegade has a fun festive atmosphere with a hand’s on approach; an assortment of workshops, live DJ’s, photo booths with tasty local artisanal food and drink. Introducing never seen before innovative ideas, this crafty affair is free to attend and a must for sussing out hot off the radar international crafts – sign us up!
November 9-10th 2013, Truman Brewery, London.
Folksy Summer School
Folksy, the masterminds behind the online crafting market place are excited to announce their very first Summer School. Back to class we go! The two-day event takes place in the woodland area of Woodland Discovery Park in Sheffield, jam-packed with an array of talks, demonstrations and workshops – what’s not to love? Print screening demonstrations, photography workshops and impressive talks by Tilly Walnes from The Great British Sewing Bee and crafting author Victoria Woodcock are all included in the line-up. Taking crafting to another level, turn your crafty passion into a start-up business with the one-to-one mentoring they have on offer. With a picnic lunch thrown in to the mix and hands on crafty workshops, we predict a very exciting weekend to be had!
August 10-11th 2013, Woodland Discovery Centre, Ecclesall Woods, Sheffield.
http://summerschool.folksy.com/
Hot of the press, new website GoGo Margo details all the smaller, local crafting events happening in your area. Simply pop in your location, scroll through all the exciting events happening and choose your pick. On our hotlist for June is the Dress Making Masterclass in Bath, Getthrifty’s UK Craft Fair in Bexley and Free Machine Embroidery for Beginners in Sheffield – see you there!
Thinking about getting crafty? Did you know we sell beautiful Laura Ashley fabric by the metre? Take a look here to look at our fabric ranges.