3 years of Topstitch Pudsey

 What a strange three years it’s been. What can I say , it’s been a great start in many ways for Topstitch Pudsey but after numerous lockdowns and disruption we are glad to be open full time now and fingers crossed it stays that way.

Topstitch has had so much support since moving to Pudsey and its been great to make new friends along the way. People can come in the shop for advice on crafting and a natter about all things (not just craft related) which has made the move over to Yorkshire a pleasure. 

Moving somewhere new where you don’t know anyone can be daunting but the crafting community here hasn’t disappointed at all. They pull together and make the community better. 

Here’s to the next 3 years!! 

Topstitch Relocation

 Topstitch Relocation A Year On

This time last year Topstitch was all packed up between a garage and a spare room at home while preparations were being made in the new shop in Pudsey. It was an empty shell with bare walls and stone floors but there was plenty of potential. 

With its huge window and prominent positioning it was the ideal spot to carry on what had been a successful 6 years of business. 

The carpets went in and the shop sign went up and then the fun part....... flat pack shop fittings , ok the fun part was restocking ready to open but the stock needed a home to shelving and tables were brought in and the vintage haberdashery counter which has been around since the first tiny shop in Fleetwood. 

During the run up the news of reopening travelled fast and we had an article in The Telegraph and Argus and even on a local radio station. 

After moving to Pudsey in August 2019 it took a while to secure the shop but it was worth it. Topstitch Pudsey opened on 15th February 2020 and the opening day was a huge succcess. 

Unfortunately 5 weeks later the first lockdown struck so with that we adapted to deliveries and more online sales. Since then its been a rollercoaster or reopenings and closures but we have kept our heads above water and are looking forward to another year hopefullly with a few less closures. 

We welcomed Kelly to the team for a short time in between her last and current job. Kelly was a fab addition to the shop and we wish her well in her new career. Kelly run Way Out Crafts which is well worth a visit if you are looking for something a little different and of course handmade. 

We are now well into lockdown number 3 and are looking forward to reopening again , we are getting good at it now with plenty of practice. We are however trading online through the wesbite and facebook page so if you do need wool, fabric, haberdashery and so much more please get in touch. You are keeping this small business going in these hard times. 

Back in the loop

 As you may have noticed this blog has been a little bit neglected for far too long. So much has been happening at Topstitch so I’m going to fill you in.

The Fleetwood shop has closed. This is not due to the business doing badly at all because Topstitch has gone from strength to strength here. The closure is for relocation to Pudsey in Yorkshire.
I am hoping to open a shop there towards the end of the year once myself and my family have settled in our new home.

 Fleetwood is my home town and it has been a massive part of my Topstitch journey. The people are so supportive and I just want to thank everyone who made my business thrive. I couldn’t have done it without so much support.

Lifetime friendships have been formed because of the shop and will continue despite the distance.

Our craft fairs are still very popular and will run three times a year at The North Euston Hotel Fleetwood.

The fairs attract a huge range of products from glassware and fabrics to cheese and illustrations.

All Topstitch fairs are free entry to visitors and the hotel offers a range of food and entertainment so a great day out can be had along the Esplanade.


So summed up Topstitch is relocating to Pudsey but will still be present online and in Fleetwood 3 times a year.
All in all 2019 is a big year for the Topstitch family and I want to thank everyone for their continued support.

Annabarrel the cheeky cow

Annabarrel 

It used to be so difficult to find good crochet patterns as most companies concentrated on catering for knitters up until recently. Now crochet is making a huge comeback its hard to decide what to make first but this cute cow from Stylecraft is a real eye catcher in more ways than you might think.

Done entirely in double crochet (UK terms) Annabarrel has a cheeky suprise hidden beneath her barrel.

Working in the round takes some practice but once mastered it is a great way to create seamless toys. The smaller parts on this pattern are a bit fiddly to hold when making but are well worth it for the extra details such as nostrils, ears and .........udders. That's right beneath the barrel hides some comical udders which are a talking point to say the least.

Anna was made using Stylecraft Classique Cotton which gives a firm structure even before stuffing. Although the pattern called for 12mm black safety eyes I used 15mm as I think it gives toys the extra cuteness factor (think the puss in boots scene in Shrek).

As always we have the pattern and yarn deal over on our website. 
Don't forget to share your Annabarrel over on our facebook page. 

The Easter Fair

 The Easter Fair is just over a month away and it has been so difficult hand picking stalls. The talent in and around Fleetwood is amazing. Who would have thought there are so many creative people in such a small area.

The weekend celebrates The North Euston Hotel's 175th Birthday and to show our support myself and many of the stallholders will be wearing Victorian fancy dress.

We have a wide range of goodies on offer including handmade jewellery, soft furnishings, glassware, pottery, clothing, fabric, knitted goods, crocheted creations, wooden toys, personalised bags and so much more.

 We can't wait to see you there

Yarn Bombing for The Summer Fair

 A few weeks ago The Fleetwood Weekly News put a piece in the paper about our plans to yarnbomb the town in an attempt to combat the councils 'no poster' rules.

Today was our first installment of these woolly wonders. Lots of lovely locals have helped by knitting, crocheting, making pom poms, loom knitting and sewing pieces of crafty gorgeousness to use for this alternative advertising

Armed with needles, wool and plenty of energy myself, Mama Bird, Sioux of Mount Pleasant Tea Rooms, Terri of Cocoa Crafts Made At Home and Summer in her PJ's, wellies and bobble hat set to work sewing together all the lovely pieces to cover a bench.

Today was Carnival day in Fleetwood so the best time to get lots of attention from the spectators.

The knitting will be left for all to see right up to The Summer Fair on 5th July.

It doesn't end here. We will be adding to the art right through until the fair and maybe even beyond ............

'Making' a comeback

 'Making' a comeback


Since opening the shop last June it has given me a huge insight into just how many people 'make'. Whether it be sewing, jewellery making, painting or ceramics, there are so many creative people not just locally to Topstitch but throughout the UK and no doubt beyond that.

I absolutely love running workshop and as they are gaining popularity I am meeting more and more like minded people. Ideas just bounce around the room when a group of creatives get together so socials will become a more regular event at Topstitch.

Next up in our social calendar is the Stylecraft crochet along which is running in the UK and is a free downloadable pattern available on the Stylecraft website from 7th April fortnightly for 8 weeks.

We will be holding our socials every fortnight and offering the yarn pack at a discounted rate to both locals and crocheters across the UK. Socials run from 6-8pm every fortnight at a cost of £3 which includes refreshments and any help you need during the project.

Continuing along the crochet route are these gorgeous kits from TOFT which are 100% wool and are a great price of just £20.99 in the shop and via our facebook page  .

It's getting very close to our Spring Fair and we have a great group of crafters lined up so what better time to give you a sneaky peak at my table set up which was taken at Staining Farmers Market which runs on the first Sunday of every month