Fabric & Sewing Supplies in Lincoln!

Lots of people ask me about where to buy fabric so I thought it would be useful to start with a list of places to buy fabric and sewing supplies locally in Lincoln.

These are places in Lincoln that I visit to buy fabric and if you know of anywhere else do leave a comment or contact me as I would love to check it out and find more local suppliers!  Lets support local!

With Love From Lincolnshire 
18-20 Rasen Lane, Lincoln, LN1 3EY
A small and lovely gem of a shop which only stocks products made by local crafters, everything from cushions to jewellery to felted items.  They also stock a range of fabric on the roll which you can buy by the metre, as well as smaller pieces by the fat quarter. There are also packs for patchwork too. Run by the lovely Pirjo Holtta. Michael Miller Fabrics and other designers coming in March!  Pirjo is brilliant at updating their Facebook page with all new stock that comes into the shop.

Fabric Corner

Stalls 26, 27, Lincoln Central Market, Sincil Street, Lincoln

It had been a while since last visited Fabric Corner in Lincoln market and was really impressed with the selection of fabrics available when I visited this week, cottons, tweeds, wool, patchwork and dressmaking fabrics!  FC changed hands in September last year and Kay Fleming has worked hard at improving the range and types of fabrics available.  It is going to be well worth visiting regularly as she often gets her hands on super end of the line quality fabrics at superb prices.   I came back with some stunning Donegal tweed £4.99 a metre and some lovely dutch fabric. I was very excited to hear more Dutch fabrics (!) are coming next month and needlecord.  Like their Facebook page to see whats new.

Boyes, City Square Centre, Sincil Bank, Lincoln, LN5 7ET

Very handy for Lincoln shoppers Boyes is tucked away in the shopping centre at City Square.

They have a range of different types fabrics, suitable for dressmaking, quilting and general sewing and craft fabrics. 

I find them really useful for costume making they bring in special fabrics for Halloween, Christmas etc, also or dressmaking sundries, they have a good range of haberdashery, trimmings, interfacings and general sewing supplies.

Couling Sewing Machines, 53 High Street, Lincoln, LN5 8AN

For anything you want to know about sewing and sewing machines Carol and Alan at Couling Sewing Machines are a font of all knowledge. With over 40 years in the trade they are so knowledgeable on all things sewing machine related.  They stock sewing machines by all the major brands which you can try before you buy and offer a service and repair service. They also stock top quality threads, haberdashery and sewing related supplies.  (We are so pleased to have a bank of the latest Brother sewing machines at our studio supplied by Couling Sewing machines which you can use on any of our workshops or just come and try out at one of our Sew, Tea, Cake sessions).

Dunelm Mill
On my last visit I found that Dunelm Mill has now moved across the road to the Carlton Centre. The shop is brighter and lighter and the fabric selection more improved. Still heavily based on upholstery fabrics, although they do have a range of lighter cottons, as well as waddings,  interfacings and a very good selection of general sewing supplies, trims and haberdashery at reasonable prices.

Laura Ashley, 310 High St, Lincoln LN5 7DR

Mainly upholstery fabrics in their distinctive style, a remnant bin sometimes worth a rummage!

Charity Shops

I can't end without mentioning the good selection of Charity Shops we have in Lincoln where I have purchased all manner of tablecloths, bedspreads, curtains, and clothing which have been washing cut up and repurposed into one thing or another.  And also don't forget car boot sales, you might be lucky enough to find some vintage textiles! 

And mentioning vintage textiles, the Lincolnshire Antiques and Home Show is second to none for vintage finds, check their website for dates. A lovely day out!

I'd like to put together a list of online recommended suppliers too, so do contact me or leave a comment  if there is somewhere that you endorse for sewing and fabric supplies.

Have a lovely weekend!

Make It Yourself - Lovely Spring Bunting!

Spring is in the air and lots of us are feeling the urge to brighten up our homes, why not make some lovely spring bunting to brighten up a corner of your house!    Here is our Needle & Thread free tutorial & pattern for making your own bunting.  (Of course you can use this tutorial to make any type of bunting throughout the year, but we  just love these pretty springtime Fabrics!).  ** Link at the bottom of this post to a full pdf printable version with bunting template **

Materials

A sewing machine with thread 

Your template triangle (included in the pdf instructions)

Bias binding 3 metres 2.5cm wide.

Scissors or rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat

A selection of fabrics

A nice pot of tea & some treats at hand!

Instructions

1.  Cut out your triangle template from the attached template for the flags of your bunting.  

2. Pin your template to your fabric and cut two triangles for each flag. One for the back, (1 for the front. A 0.5 cm seam allowance is already included in the template).  You can use scissors or a rotary cutter, ruler and mat.

3. Once all your flags are cut, with the right sides facing each other pin the two sides of the flag and in the next step you are going to sew from A to B to C using a straight stitch. You do not sew the top edge.

4. Secure your stitches with a couple of forward and backward stitches on your sewing machine at starting point A (or with the securing stitch on your sewing machines if it has that function).  

When you get to point B, leave your needle down in the fabric, lift the presser foot and turn the fabric so that you can continue sewing towards point C. Put the presser foot down and continue sewing, this is called pivoting.  At stopping point C secure your stitches again and cut threads.  Complete for all flags.

5.  Clip the corners of your flags so that when you turn the flags through the points aren’t bulky.

6. Turn your flag through so it is right side out,  then use the blunt end of a pencil or paintbrush to poke the corner into a lovely point (be careful not to poke too hard and go through the stitching!) then press your flags.

7. Take your bias tape and measure 50cm from one end, your first flag will go here.  TIP a tape measure stuck along the side of your work table means you will always have one to hand. Mark with a pin.

8. Fold over the cut edge of your bias tape to hide the raw edge for a neat finish, close both sides together and then start sewing along the edge with a straight stitch until you get to the pin.  When you get to the pin remove it, then insert the unsewn edge of the first flag into the folded bias and stitch into place. Your next flag will go10cm from the edge of the first flag.

9. Use a tape measure to measure 10cm and insert the next flag. TIP place a small sticker on your machine at the 10cm point so you don’t have to measure each time.

10. Carry on stitching in the rest of the flags at 10cm intervals and then stitch until you get to the end of the bias (remembering to turn in the cut end for a neat finish). You should then have all your flags sewn into your bias with 50cm at each end of tying.

11. Your bunting is finished!  Proudly hang it up and admire all your hard work!

Click here for the full PDF printable instructions and template. 

We have lots more of projects and tutorials planned, so do pay our blog a visit again! Thanks for stopping by!

Needle & Thread Workshops offer creative workshops for all abilities. whether you are a skilled crafter or have never used a sewing machine before we offer something for everyone! We have a bank of the latest Brother Sewing Machines for you to use on all our workshops supplied by Couling Sewing Machines in Lincoln, a beautiful studio in lovely surroundings with plenty of parking, view our current workshop schedule on our website!  www.needleandthreadworkshops.com