How I Repaired - A Tweed Coat Seam

 Flicky, my daughter, is home from St Andrews University for the summer and she's brought a few sewing repair jobs with her.  The first one I tackled is a frayed seam down the centre back of this tweed coat.  Flicky did a quick hand-sewn repair job on it with black thread so she could continue to wear it - it's still cold in St Andrews ;D - and this is how looked when it was passed over to me.

Exploring Japan - Kyoto's Handmade Needle Man

Most sewists researching for a trip to Japan come across stories of Kyoto's Handmade Needle Man.  Almost legendary, his location is reportedly hard to locate with only a few lucky souls finding success at the end of their journey.

It Fell On The Floor - Art Quilt: Quilting By The Lake 2015

At Quilting By The Lake 2015, I took a 5-day Composing Composition workshop with Textile Artist/Quilt Maker, Cynthia Corbin.  

Twice Monthly Newsletter Sign-Up

Introducing a new venture for mbCD - twice monthly newsletters.  

Up to now if you subscribed to my email service each blog post was sent individually to your inbox.  I realise not everyone wants two, and sometimes more, emails from me per week and I find myself becoming reluctant to create blog posts as I don't want readers unsubscribing due to email overload.

After much thought, I've decided the answer is a newsletter. More work than using an automated service to send out blog posts still I think it could be a lot of fun. 

Exploring Austin - Stitch Lab

Last week of April I travelled to Austin Texas and as always I was keen to find a neighbourhood fabric shop gem to share with you - wait till you see my pics of Stitch Lab, I guarantee you'll be adding it to your 'must visit' bucket list.

Sun, Sea & Sashiko

Well not quite sea, but it was a salt water pool at The Four Seasons in Austin, Texas during my travels at the end of April.  Best of all posting the above pic to Instagram gained me several hearts and this fab cupcake and note complimenting my stitching when I returned to my room.

The Green Green Grass Of Home

The old home town looks the same as I step down from the train and there to meet me is... 

...my friends, my Mum, and all my kids

lyrics by Curly Putman (apart from the last bit which is all mine!)

Occasionally I ask my readers to indulge me while I share a post that's less about my craft and more about my family; this is one of those posts.  I know some of you love to see what my kids are up to these days and something of where I'm from, so for you here are four photo collages summing up my April 2016 trip home to England.  On the other hand, if that isn't your sort of thing please click and close me down, I won't be offended, and next time you visit everything will be back to normal - Chris :D

Exploring London - Shaukat, Cloth House & John Lewis

So you're in London and wanting to fabric shop - there are three other stores I love to visit when I'm home that you may want to take a look at.

Bali Blog Hop for Benartex

Welcome to Day 1 of the Benartex Bali Blog Hop, let me start with a great big "hi" to my regular readers and a huge welcome to anyone visiting for the first time from the Benartex blog Sew in Love {with Fabric}.

April 2016 Progress & News

On the surface progress is slow again this month, I've been doing a lot of talking with fabric companies, working on a big plan for something I'll be able to share in the future (fingers crossed) and doing so much travelling I have no idea where I am or what time zone I'm in.

Exploring London - Liberty 2016

I can't visit London without nipping into Liberty but last time I shared pics with you from inside the store was back in 2012.

A Foundation Paper Pieced Seahorse - Pattern Testing For The Tartankiwi

Regular readers will know how much I love to test foundation paper pieced (fpp) patterns for Juliet @The Tartankiwi.