Visiting Edinburgh? Drop Into Avery Homestore

Update at 14 April 2014

Avery Homestore is now trading under the name myBearpaw.  Jo Avery is still the owner and the store is focussing on her craft classes, fabric, wool, and haberdashery.  The store has moved to a new location:
myBearpaw, 50 Lochrin Buildings, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH3 9ND.

You'll find the new store details here on the myBearpaw website.


On my recent trip to Scotland to settle Flicky at the University of St Andrews I made a point of dropping into Avery Homestore in Edinburgh (that's me in the above photo as I'm leaving the store with my lime green bag of goodies).  I have 'met' Jo Avery, the owner, via her blog myBearpaw and I was keen to drop in and take a look at her gorgeous store for myself.

Just take a look at all this scrummy goodness.

A range of top designer bolts, fat quarters, and rolls, so hard to choose!

Noro wool - one of my favourite brands

 

I love this Cathedral Window quilt, I've used some of those fabrics myself and they look just stunning against this black background.

Adorable cushions

And there's more - there's also a home and gift side to the store, I was spoilt for choice and bought some pieces for Flicky.

Children's gifts

And the craft/classroom with all Jo's fabulous creations hanging on the walls - I can imagine that they're a great source of inspiration for everyone taking a class here.

There's all kinds of classes on offer, patchwork, quilting, crochet, Roman blinds, cushions, felting, machine skills and more and Jo also runs a once a month Craft Club and The Stitch Gathering - with events such as the recent Edinburgh Modern Quilt Retreat and a Xmas Craft Day coming up on Sunday, 10 November 2013.  Jo also curated the recent Scottish Modern Quilt Exhibition - I'm thinking she's a very busy and talented lady :)

It was hard to choose what fabrics to bring away with me but I finally plumped for this selection: two Free Spirit fabrics; two Liberty Lifestyle fabrics; and four Riley Blake fabrics.

The only disappointing thing about my visit was that Jo wasn't in the store, I so wanted to meet her in person - what a great reason to have to call again next time I'm passing through Edinburgh!!!  I did get to meet and chat with Barbara, who also works at the store, and she was so lovely, friendly and helpful, showing me the classroom and giving me permission to take all these great photos to share with you - thanks, Barbara :)

If you're in the area and fancy dropping by I highly recommend you do and you can find Avery Homestore at 7-9 Church Hill Place, Edinburgh.  The store is open every day 10 am to 5.30 pm and Sundays 12 pm to 4pm.  And for those who aren't in the area you can always take a look at Jo's blog My Bearpaw for lots more crafty goodness and you must take a look at her post about The Great Tapestry Of Scotland!


Visiting The British Isles?  Read my previous Exploring posts by clicking the images below:

Related Posts:

Beyond The Edge Of Nowhere

For details of other fabric, yarn, trim and notion stores that I've visited around the world along with the NYC stores I love, exhibitions and events I've attended and wonderful people I've been lucky to meet click the links below or in my sidebar :D

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.

Will Ye No Come Back Again? Absolutely, Next September!

Bonnie Chairlie's noo awa', Safely ower the friendly main; Mony a heart will break in twa', Should he ne'er come back again.

Will ye no come back again? Will ye no come back again? Better lo'ed ye canna be, Will ye no come back again?

Traditional Scottish Song

What a week! Flicky and I have had a marvellous time in Scotland where we spent 3 days in St Andrews, checking out the town, being shown around the University and meeting with Admissions and one of the Modern History professors.

Allow me to introduce you to the University of St Andrews ...

And here's some photos of the Cathedral and Castle;

the beaches and golf course;

and the St Andrews town centre.

but these are my favourite photos:

Flicky sitting at the entrance to the School of History, St Katherine's Lodge, where she will be studying

 and Flicky battling the elements, the wind so strong she could barely walk,
but just check out that Manhattan City Quilter carrier bag!!!

The weather wasn't our friend, freezing temperatures, winds and snow, but Flicky loved it.  The University and people of St Andrews made us very welcome and we quickly learnt just how special it is that Flicky has received an unconditional offer from this ancient seat of British learning, who still hand pick only the students that they feel will suit the way of life and study methods.

So Flicky is pretty certain that she will be accepting their offer and we've already booked our trip back for her admission in September.

After St Andrews we headed off to Glasgow via Dundee.  The weather was dreadful but we did squeeze in a bit of shopping and a trip out to the 'Armadillo' to see the English comedian Jimmy Carr, which was excellent but nothing that I can repeat here ;).  Flicky also had her first experience of being caught in a football crowd at Glasgow Central Station - jeering Scotland fans singing "we hate England more than you" to the Wales fans was incredibly intimidating and frightening but I told her to not speak so she wouldn't give away our nationality and we were quickly on our way.  It was the one low point of our trip but at least she's a bit more prepared now for when she encounters that sort of behaviour again.

I did have to take a photo of the sewing machine wall at the All Saints store in Glasgow.  I know this is a regular feature in All Saints stores but I always think they look amazing and yet it makes me a little bit sad that these machines aren't being used anymore.

We spent our last 3 days in Edinburgh, again the weather was too bitter to do the touristy things so more shopping and eating and catching up on some rest and sleep in our beautiful apartment.

 

We did look up at the Castle as we shopped our way along Princes Street
and we enjoyed some delicious Flirtini cocktails

We didn't worry too much about not really seeing anything as we figured we'll have plenty more opportunity to do everything properly over the next 4 years that Flicky's studying here.

Oh and look how much of my EPP Coffins I managed to do ... don't do a close up on my stitches because you'll see everyone of them screaming at you - my appalling eye sight, a smattering of turbulence, narrow seats (yes we fly economy) and an overhead plane light on a night flight don't lend themselves to beautiful, invisible stitches!!!

It's good to be back though, although I love doing EPP, I'm very, very happy to see my sewing machine again!

For details of other fabric, yarn, trim and notion stores that I've visited around the world along with the NYC stores I love, exhibitions and events I've attended and wonderful people I've been lucky to meet click the links below or in my side bar :D