On June 21st I will be at The Secret Garden Craft Fair, which kicks off Sherwood Art Week.
And yes, those are MY cushions on the flyer!
I love this fair. I did it for the first time last year, but had wanted to do it for years before that (I always go as a punter).
Somehow, until last year, I had never managed to simultaneously pluck up the courage and get the timing right to apply.
Silly, because it’s really friendly and fun, and full of fabulous local designer-makers like Eloise Renouf, Ali Bee, Rachel Ainley, Carly Dodsley, Dawn Feeney, Katrin Moye, Anna Treliving, The Forgotten Library… oh, and many, many more.
With just over a week to go, I’ve been trying to work out how best to spend my time in the run-up to the fair.
I have the usual housekeeping to do, like sorting out my float, making signs and labels, and finalising my stall display.
But that won’t take a week. So I have a few more days sewing time in which to add to my stock.
I have cat cushions (although as I also have shop requests for them it wouldn’t hurt to have a few more).
I have tweetie cushions, and lumbar cushions, and phone cosies, and a mischief of plushie mice…
I also have some necklaces and brooches stashed away that I was meaning to sell online, but haven’t got around to listing.
I have flower purses.
Though not many. (Just these three in fact).
I have cat bags.
I even have a finished quilt to sell.
(Though I haven’t actually photographed it since I finished it yet – this is a picture of it in progress)
I don’t have very many vintage fabric cushion covers made. But will people want those, I ask myself?
Or will they want more of any of the above? Or might they even want some fat quarters of vintage sheets? Or charm squares?
Or something else entirely???
So… I have a question for you.
What should I do with my week? What stock should I be making? Should I take some de-stash fabric along?
What would you buy? I need a shove in the right direction…
So, pretty please, I would love it if you would leave me your suggestions on this post, in the comments, before the end of tomorrow – that’s Friday.
If you leave me a comment elsewhere there’s a chance I might miss it and if you leave a comment later than Friday, I won’t have enough time to implement the suggestions.
I will send a little prize to the person who makes the suggestion I happen to like the most.
Thank you in advance – and see you at the fair! ♥
You have been busy! Good luck at the fair. I love the idea of fabric for sale as you always have some wonderful bits.
I like the small purses and think some make-up bags would go down well or a vintage apron or two!
Have fun with what ever you go for x
I love your vintage fabric cushions – that way all those that love your flowery goodness but maybe aren’t quite so into birds, cats and mice can get a piece of Modflowers beauty in their homes! X
I would definitely take some destash fabric along – this is the kind of thing I look for and buy. If I saw your stall I would want to buy a cat cushion as they are adorable and then think that if I bought some of your stash fabric I could have a go at making something similar too. I love vintage fabric, so I would definitely want to see some vintage sheet fat quarters and some charm squares. I often go to a vintage/craft fair for inspiration for things I could make myself and usually the only thing I buy is fabric; for people on a limited budget, buying a little fabric is a good way of getting more for their money. Vintage fabric cushions would be right up my street too – give your buyers some variety and choice. Let’s face it, all your goodies are lush and people will want to buy them!
What about a bit of modflowery bunting? Nice summery colours to drape around a picnic table, or hang across a window to hide the lack of sun? Mini ones, mousie ones, ooh, cat chasing mouse chasing cat chasing mouse, joined by tails … If only I could sew, I’d make that myself 😉
A girl can never have too many pretty lined zipped pouches in a variety of sizes. And I think you’ll find stash fabrics will be snapped up quickly, so cut them into useful sizes like fat quarters, layer cakes and charm squares so they go further – you can charge more for precuts. Little gift bags with scraps, notions, buttons. Patchwork totes are usually a great seller. I used also to sell loads of tea towels with applique hearts, flowers, birds, etc in one corner – a new tea towel with vintage motifs would be pretty. I made shoe bags and boot buddies: two small plump lavender bags, joined with a strip of fabric to put inside boots or trainers. Covered buttons always go well too, especially if you can centre flower motifs on the front. Is that enough ideas? Good luck, I hope your stall is wildly successful!
Hi there .
Fabric stash bags go down a treat. I find small pocket money items are popular and can often end up paying for the stall . I make vintage fabric magnets by putting strong magnets on the buttons I’ve made.
Good luck with your fair
How about a mini bag of fabric & a tutorial on what to make with it. Little packs of fabric will go down a treat too. Or maybe a selection pack of fabric, buttons, ric rac etc…
All of your wares are beautiful and whimsical and I don’t have any suggestions but to reinforce the ideas above, especially love the bunting idea. Oh, here’s an idea – the iPad covers are a big deal here – have you made any of those? I would think it’d be jazzy to have one in your fabrics.
Have so much fun. Everything looks good to go!
Definately pocket money items – button brooches, button hair bobbles and your lovely hair grips, and for vintage and design lovers, how about lumbar cushions and simple patchwork square cushions?
Bunting made with pinking shears and bias binding is very quick to run up too – I bet if you hung some about your stall, just for prettiness, someone would ask for a price.
Have a great fair xxxxxx
PS: How about trimming some white pillow cases? Just a simple strip would be fab or an applique flower or sleeping owl??
Love all of the above suggestions, how about, a simple cafetiere cover made out of some of your lovely vintage fabric,
that wraps around and ties or fixes with a button,? Something lovely and modflowery for the kitchen or dining room.Hope the fair goes well x
How about a little flower pin cushion. A bit like your purses but with a puffy middle but to stick the pins in!
Framed fabric, little ones to pop of your wall to add splashes of vintage colour around your house.
OMG it all looks amazing – I want to buy it all! My favourites are your cat cushions and cat bags – oh and your owls – have you made any of those? Agree with the comments above that some lower value items might be good to have too – maybe some simple coin purses? Or pencil cases? They are some of my fave simple things to make and a great way to enjoy gorgeous fabric. Good luck – looks forward to seeing your pics 🙂