Tram Sunday: Fleetwood Festival Of Transport

Tram Sunday as its known by the locals is Fleetwood Festival Of Transport. Once a year Lord Street, the home of Topstitch is closed off at each end and filled with vehicle exhibitors, fair ground attractions, stalls, food stands and entertainment.

Here at Topstitch I decided to take advantage of the vast amount of visitors to Lord Street on Tram Sunday by having various local crafters in the shop and outside displaying their handmade goods.

Alice and Edith brought a range of jewellery with a vintage feel including pendants rings and hair clips.
They also offered handmade eye masks , headbands and head scarves which I couldn't resist and bought myself a blue polka dot wired head scarf.

Pretty Things By Michelle is exactly that. Lovely knitted hats , booties and much more in between.
Not just knitted goodies, but Michelle also makes beautiful brooches and pretty pincushions.

All the stalls were set up early ready for the rush of the day. The weather looked grey on the morning but soon cleared and the sun beamed. Once the skies had cleared some of the stalls moved outside to make the most of the passing trade.

Not only were the crafters making pennies but my eldest son decided to get in on the action and played his guitar outside the shop and raked in a whopping £30 ....not bad for a 9 year old.

 Pretty in Punk supplied the day with handmade soaps in a range of risky shapes and sizes. The stall was run by Lady Skull Punkery  while Jo was at home working hard getting ready for Rebellion Punk Music Festival where she also showcases custom made mohair jumpers which are highly recommended as I have my own multi-coloured version knitted by Jo.

Mama Bird's Craft Emporium had a mix of all things crafty. Jewellery, soft toys, bags and even candles. My particular favourite were the knitted animals, each one different and with amazing details. A badger carrying a basket of strawberries, a bunny in a swim suit and even a cat with a mouse in its pocket.

All the crafters on the day had put so much effort into their makes it was a winner all around, so much so I have even been tempted to do another craft event so watch this space.

Terri Woods is a local crafter who has some amazing sewing skills which could be seen by the bucket load on her stall. A mix of bunting , cushions and even ....CHRISTMAS goodies.

Terri's stall was bright and inviting with a gorgeous mix of machine sewn, hand sewn and knitted goods which just drew people in to the shop.

I want to say a massive Thank You to all involved and I hope you enjoyed the day as much as I did. Roll on next year.

Creative Workshops

It's been a busy day here at Topstitch and I wouldn't want it any other way. 

Today has been all about Patchwork Quilting. Five ladies joined me in the workshop and learnt how to join eighty patchwork pieces in just three hours. Some of the ladies even managed it in two. 

Using a method which means multiple pieces can be sewn together faster and with more accuracy our super sewers were given the skills to take on patchwork without it being such a lengthy process.

The seams were ....well seamless, they were ultra accurate meaning the overall finish was incredibly neat and tidy. 

Once the workshop was over the ladies seemed spurred on to give their new found skills a try at home and I can't wait to see what they create. 

We don't just cater for adults. While the patchworkers were sewing, in the front of the shop my Mum was teaching some much younger creative types how to rag wreath. The girls did an amazing job and really showed off their creative flare.

A full list of workshops is available on our facebook page and in the shop itself. Why not try something new or brush up on a craft you have been working on already?

 The Grand Opening Of Topstitch Fleetwood

Topstitch opened just over three weeks ago and has been doing well ever since.

Do you remember as a child baking with your Mum at the weekends? Well count yourself lucky, my Mum wasn't the best cook so it wasn't something I did often, but I wont complain. It's that lack of home economics skills that lead me towards sewing.

Crafting was a normal part of growing up for me and I'm so glad its lead me to opening my own shop in my hometown of Fleetwood.

The shop is all about getting back to your crafty roots and making, doing and mending which was once the norm but has now been replaced by this throw away nature which comes with cheap clothes and mass produced products.

My aim is to get people back in to crafting by showing them how to sew, print and generally get crafting.

For all those well seasoned crafters I offer them the opportunity to sell their handmade goods in the shop and hopefully give them the confidence to keep going.

Its only week three and so far I am overwhelmed by the response to the shop and have even featured in a local newspaper  . Fingers crossed this is the start of something great for local crafters and those just starting out.