Birmingham meet-up: the sequel!

Despite fighting off a horrible cold, I dosed myself up to the max yesterday and headed to Birmingham for the meet-up Kat and Claire and I had organised. I definitely started flagging by the afternoon and I'm paying for it today - I've been totally bedridden with a head that's threatening to explode and a lost voice. But what can I say...it was worth it!

There were 32 of us altogether, so many of whom were new faces! Interestingly, we only had 3 repeat 'customers' from last year's Birmingham meet-up, but I'm not going to over analyse what that means! 

Co-hosting such a relatively large meet-up left little time for taking photos, so I'm hoping that some good ones will start appearing on other blogs soon. In the meantime, I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know the following:

Barry's Fabric Superstore delivered the goods once again. Not only is it the perfect size for large groups (read BIG), it's got a great range of fabrics and the manageress, Marilyn, kindly offered is 10% off all of our purchases!



We pretty much took over Cafe Soya - look, it's stitching friends as far as the eye can see in this photo! The restaurant was as accommodating as last time and the staff didn't even bat an eyelid when we embarked on our chaotic swap. 


Meet-up swaps are getting bigger and bigger nowadays and yesterday's was no exception. This was just the fabric pile and a second table hosted the patterns and notions. Just like at Rachel's recent epic meet-up in London, I readily handed over my goods and opted not to even try routing around for something to take from the swap. I find it all a bit too overwhelming if I'm honest, but I'm always grateful for the chance to de-stash. 


Don't worry though, once we got to the rag market after lunch I treated myself to a few bits and bobs...

1 metre of 'Liberty' lawn for £8 - my most expensive purchase of the day and that includes my lunch which consisted of a main, a pudding and a drink...hehe! This gorgeous fabric is destined for a summery Mathilde a la Tilly - I've already checked and with clever pattern piece placement I can totally squeeze it out of the 1 metre. Woohoo!


1 metre of tribal print viscose for £2 - I can see this as a funky Simone top, which I've had my eye on ever since it was launched by Victory Patterns last year!


2 metres of polka dot viscose for £4 - I might have to crack one of my vintage patterns out for this beauty.


I feel like I've not done the best job at documenting the day, but I look forward to seeing more detailed accounts of it elsewhere. 

My medication and some food is calling to me now, so I'll leave you with the full list of attendees, excluding my partners in crime who I've linked to at the start. If I've missed any one or a blog link off, please do let me know!



Anna - Get Crafty

Caroline Bones - Cotton Hairess

Caroline Booth & daughter Phoebe

Caroline Nixon

Carys



Charlie - Charlie Says Sew

Deborah - DFabrication


Erica

Hannah - Hugs and Kisses

Helen - Helen Made



Karen



Mellie - Mellie's workroom

Rachel Shaw - A Study in Stitching - &  mum Liz




Sarah - Not Found

Tanya


A big thanks to Kat and Claire for their co-hosting, general organising, mapping, crafting and baking skills. And an even bigger thanks to everyone who came along and made it a fabulous and friendly day!

47 comments:

  1. Thanks so very much for all your hard work in making this such a great day. This was my first ever meet up and I was amazed to meet so many fabulous friendly sewaholics. My stash is now bursting at the seams.
    Hope your lurgy is better soon.

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    1. Yay, so glad that you enjoyed your first ever meet-up and that you decided to come along to ours ;o)

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  2. I mainly forgot to take photos so only got about 3 :(

    Never mind, I had a fab day, thanks v much for all your, Kat's and Claire's hard work. Love that polka dot fabric, can't believe I missed it! Hope you feel better soon!

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    1. Lovely meeting you Sabs! Shame you missed the polka dot, but if you go back there soon, it was on one of the outdoor stalls ;o)

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  3. Wow! I so wish we had a fabric superstore like this in Sheffield! It all looks so cheap and you have some wonderful patterns! Looks like a brilliant meet up. :) x

    Lemon-freckles.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Maybe you can come join us next time?!?

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  4. Thank you again for such a fantastic day that both me and my mum really enjoyed, so much so that I have finally started a blog! I'm really grateful for all the trouble you'd gone to - your rag market map was amazing! Nothing to worry about at all, but I seem to have got muddled up with Karen, it was me that was with my mum, Liz!
    Hope you're feeling better soon.
    Rachel x

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    1. D'oh, sorry Rachel!!! I've fixed it now and have included a link to your new blog too...how exciting! It was great meeting you, so glad you and your mum enjoyed the day!!!

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  5. Thanks again Marie, hope you're feeling better. We had a lovely day and enjoyed meeting so many friendly sewists - looking forward to next year!
    Caroline and Phoebe
    xx

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    1. Yay, so glad you came along and both enjoyed it!

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  6. Hehe you did so much better than me on the photo front - next time I think I should aim for more snapping and less shopping ;) Thanks for all your super duper organising yesterday - sounds like everyone had a brilliant day. I hope you make a speedy recovery! x

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    1. I reckon we should get a professional photographer for the day like Rachel did at her London meet-up ;o) Still feeling poorly, but slightly better than before!

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  7. WHY CAN'T I LIVE IN ENGLAND?!?!?!?! *sobs*

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    1. You should totally move over here Shona ;o)

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  8. Sorry to hear that you have been poorly, Love the polka dot and can't wait to see what you do with the tribal print.

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  9. So sorry I couldn't make it this time. Sounds like you had a great day, and I hope you get well soon.

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    1. We missed you Catherine...but maybe next time?!?

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  10. Wow, I love the fabric for the Simone top! Can't wait to see it sewn up!

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    1. Kinda just need to get the Simone pattern now though ;o)

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  11. God I wish I lived in the uk so I could come to your awesome meet ups! They always look like so much fun.

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  12. loos soo much fun. must attempt not to miss the next one!

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  13. Looks like it was an amazing day! I wish I would have made it! I'm there with bells on for the next one :) I love the tibal print viscose - it's awesome. I've just started making my Simone - it's such a lovely pattern.

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    1. Looking forward to seeing you next time!

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  14. Aw I'm sorry to have missed it, it looks like you all had a great time. I'll be there with bells on in London though!

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    1. You were missed Roisin! If I can make London, I'll see you there ;o)

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  15. I love the polka dots! I really enjoyed the day - thanks so much to you, Kat and Claire for organising it. I'm just starting to sort out all the fabric I bought!

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    1. It was great meeting you Claire, good luck with the fabric sorting ;o)

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  16. Looks like fun. You made me smile, I'm a brummy who moved up north 24 years ago. I spent a lot of time hanging around the rag market in my teens when I should have been at school.
    At least living up north I get to visit Leons, Barry's brother site here in Manchester. x

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    1. Oooh yes, I've heard Leon's is good too!

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  17. Wow, what a fun meetup! I love all your fabric purchases, but that viscose will make a KILLER Simone top-- can't wait to see it!!!!!

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  18. Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for such a wonderful day and that it was fantastic to get to meet you. All three of you truly went above and beyond to make it such an amazing day and I an truly grateful for the opportunity to join in. I hope there will be another Birmingham meet up soon :D until then I look forward to following along some more with your blog, speak soon xxx

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    1. Thanks Hannah, means a lot to have our efforts appreciated and I'm so glad you all had a good day! See you next time!

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  19. Look at all these awesome comments. You girls did a great job. Hope you feel better soon lovely x

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    1. Thanks on both accounts Amy...lovely seeing you as always!xx

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  20. Thanks so much for organising the meet up. I had a brilliant time! Can't wait for the London meet up now!

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    1. Great to hear it...and see you in London!

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  21. Thank you so much for everything, it was a fabulous day! Hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Thanks for coming along Jo, great seeing you!

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  22. That tribal print will make a RAD Simone!

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  23. Hope you're on the mend Marie and huge thanks for arranging! I had a great time and it was cool to get a chance to chat to you as well.
    Looking forward to seeing what everyone does with that polka dot viscose; think we all got some yardage!

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  24. Sorry I couldn't make it this time, but I was there in spirit... :p I hope you feel better soon!

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  25. Marie - it was really great to organise the day with yourself & Kat. I'd love to do it again one-day if you're up for it :)? Clairex

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  26. Looks like you all had a great day, if only I had discovered your blog a few weeks earlier I would have loved to come along too, being quite local! Just getting back into sewing with a new machine after a long absence and finding your blog and others very inspiring.

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  27. Aww, looks so fun! Wish I'd been able to make it ... next time!

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