Fancy a trip?
Every now and then someone emails me for London fabric shopping tips and I always direct them to Goldhawk Road (as well as Walthamstow, obv.) but I’ve never been there myself. How crazy is that? I really want to visit this mecca of fabric loveliness. Fehr Trade has put together a great run down of the shops in this part of London. Does anyone fancy a trip south of the river to stock up? You know, because I bet none of us have nearly enough fabric in our stash. Right?
Goldhawk Road is on the Circle or Hammersmith and City line. It’s also near Westfield Shopping Centre if you want a bigger shopping fix or a hop, skip and jump (well, 18 minutes on the tube) from the V&A if you want a culture fix. I’m just saying. Ya know, you could make a day of it…
I’ll pluck a date out of a hat. What about Saturday 14 May? Just in time to stock up for summer makes. I know you’ll all have been checking out patterns. Look at this baby I bought for £2 at the weekend:
Drawstring shoulder ties and a square neckline? I’m there!
If you want to join me in Goldhawk Road, I’ll be the one going mad over summer cottons. We can firm up details once I have an idea of numbers.
I’m not saying that sewing is all about the shopping, but… Sewing is all about the shopping.
YYEEEESSSS!! A blogger fabric shop trip in my manor. I’m definitely in! x
Hah Thats so funny you picked that date!
There is a sewweekly meetup in London on that day already. We are doing the V&A and I think we are going to the Goldhawk Rd. Area anyway
http://circle.sewweekly.com/forum/topics/uk-meet-and-swap-anyone?xg_source=activity&id=6365347%3ATopic%3A6638&page=13#comments
If you don’t want to join thats kool, but I would definitely be up for another blogger meetup! I’m on two already!
X
Me again, sorry to be a geek but it’s actually north of the river. x
But Jane – it’s so far from Walthamstow. It MUST be south of the river. Just kidding! (Could swear I checked on Google maps.)
Ooh. Oooooooh. Train fares from Oxford are really cheap on Saturdays. And Paddington is on the same line as Goldhawk Road. And I’m a helluva lot less shy in real life than I am online (yes, I know that’s the wrong way around…)
If the budget-holder approves, I’d LOVE to join the shopping trip. I’ll say it’s for curtains for our new flat ;D
This is CRAZY! I’ve been meaning to email you. But a bunch of us that are on the Sewing Circle (set up by Mena from Sew Weekly–it’s a community site kind of like facebook but for sewing http://circle.sewweekly.com/) were planning a meet up in London for that EXACT date. I’ve been meaning to get in touch with all my blogging pals not on the sewing circle to see if they want to join! I would so love to meet you! Definitely join the Sewing Circle and check out the thread. We’re going to see the V&A exhibit in the morning and then were contemplating about where to go after that! I would love, love, love to go fabric shopping! YAY!
That is crazy! We’ll have to try to meet up – seems mad if you’re in London and we don’t!
Wah, I’m going to the Sew Weekly meet up on that day! Hopefully there’ll be another fabric exploration expedition soon!x
oh yes please! that would be ACE! (even though I was in Walthamstow Market this Saturday and probably have enough in my stash to last a few projects! Btw, your map was indispensible! – thanks again!)
YES. Can I wear my Karen badge again?
I would be honoured to see people in their Karen badges!
Boohoo have already promised to take the wedding dress to Wales that day so another trip I’ll have to miss 🙁
Jealous. I’m just saying.
I’d love to come if you are happy to accept (slightly) older shoppers. Can’t wait to tell my family I am going fabric shopping with fellow sewers from the Internet. They will give me a funny look and tell me it’s really weird. Definitely worth it just for that.
All comers very welcome!
That sounds like an excellent plan. Can one join in without being formally introduced?
We don’t do formal, Debbie! Yeah, come on in, the water’s lovely.
Yay, Count me in Karen! Shall put it in the diary!! You have my email right??
Px
Ooh, I have that same pattern! Look forward to see what you make with it.
Although I’m too far for fabric shopping I will be reading with interest as I’m planning a fabric shopping trip to London with my friend in the near future.
OMG! I remember that dress! I sewed it for myself when I was 14 or 15–the version with the shoulder straps. The fabric was extremely pretty–a white cotton printed with blue and red butterflies. Just watch out for that circle skirt. It’s wonderfully swishy, but can quickly blow up over one’s head when a stray gust of wind comes along. Not that I’d know from experience or anything…
The “Style” patterns were really cute and reasonably well drafted. It’s too bad they’re not around anymore.
That’s amazing! How lovely that you remember it. Makes me want to sew it even more!
Ooh I’d love to join a shopping trip to Goldhawk road – I Haven’t been in ages! Although I really don’t need any more fabric….
Oooooooooooo yes!!!!! Count me in. I may also investigate the sew weekly meet up to as #shock# I’ve never been to the v and a. Karen badge being polished as I type.
I’d like to join if I’m feeling brave enough.
Where did you get that pattern from? I really like it
It’s from a local to Walthamstow independent shop called Beautiful Interiors.
I’m thinking I might have a potter up to Walthamstow this weekend as the Victoria line is working.
Hi Karen. Been recommended your lovely blog by Becky at Random! Im a fellow sewer (and graphic designer!) though, with much to learn! I do however have the pleasure in living on the edge of Goldhawk Road . . . my favourite fabric heaven! Sounds like a bit of a party is brewing on 14th May!
Oh yes please! Not that I need any more fabric, you understand, but I won’t let that stop me. Would love to meet you all.
I’m a possible…
That’s just down the road from me so I’m in!
I really really miss living in Shepherds Bush… I wonder if Cafe Rest is still on Goldhawk Road next to all those fabric shops? And Zippy’s Cafe with it s retro diner stools….
I’ve never found anywhere in Stow that lives up to Cafe Rest’s Sunday lunch (although the defunct Cafe Ferrari on Lea Bridge Road came close).
Next time you’re there, check out also the Middle Eastern supermarkets Damas Gate and Al Abbas on Uxbridge Road, they’re amazing.
Ooh I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it or not yet, but if I can’t, could you possibly chat to the shop owners in the row over by Classic Textiles and find out what’s going on with the awful demolition plans? I’m getting conflicting reports everywhere and even had an email chain with the developers but as I can’t make it down there myself anytime soon, I can’t really get an accurate picture on what’s happening (and how we can stop it!!). Maybe someone in the group could play reporter?
Goldhawk road is the absolute best. I live in Harrow and Weald, so I get a direct train there all the time just to drool. Some of the stuff is really cheap too. Was there two weeks ago and got loads of stretch cotton fabrics for £5/metre. It is that crazy. You won’t regret making the trip.
So yes, I WILL be there.
I think I’ll be there ;-D
Another Karen-led fabric shopping expedition? Yes, please! Would be fun to meet up with the Sew Weekly people too, although if they’re hoping to see the V&A fashion collection it’s not on show at the moment, it’s being transferred to the new clothworkers centre 🙁
I’m in!
Yay! Yes please, I’ve been meaning to go there for YONKS.
Hello, I am the Anwen mentioned in Melissa’s shopping trip, and I’m always up for going to Goldhawk Road!
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