Fashion and Embroidery / Sewing for Pleasure / Hobbycrafts – NEC Birmingham 16-19 March

The NEC in Birmingham knows how to put on good shows – just last week, millions of people up and down the country watched Crufts. I stayed with my family, and even the kittens loved it:

They were both shy when I arrived on Friday, but by Sunday they trusted me and curled up on my lap together. It was crushing to leave these little guys behind when I went back the following day.

This week, the NEC hosts the Sewing Show. The opening day can often be the quietest day to go, as most people don't book a day off and visit on the weekend. Featuring Fashion and Embroidery, Sewing for Pleasure and Hobbycrafts shows (Cake International is also included in the price but is only open fri-sun). Last year, I went with my mum to the show at Alexandra Palace, and this year we wanted to try the NEC as it's easier to get to from Banbury.

I didn't get the names of all the artists/stalls, and I'm sorry about that. If you recognise any of the textile pieces, please let me know and I will credit them.

Getting Ready

Making a picnic the night before means you save money for fabric shopping. We packed sandwiches, bananas, mini cheddars, apples, and I made these special heart biscuits for the trip back.

It's important to be comfy as getting around the exhibits takes a long time and a lot of walking. I wore an Otome coord, and got a lot of compliments on both the H&M sweater and Cath Kidston skirt.

The Exhibitions

The exhibitions are the best part of the shows for me, as it's so interesting to see what other people create, and to be able to see the fine details so close up. Nothing is behind glass, so you can really get in properly and have a good look. It's very inspiring.

The embroidery exhibits were captivating and displayed a range of skill and imagination.

This child's dress is so cute – the smocking on the bodice looks like buildings on a London street.

A reimagining of a vintage postcard by Janet Humphrey.

These beetles must have taken weeks. Look at the intricate beadwork embroidery.

Beautiful stitches on this piece for the Madeira Competition.

Fish. The fabric and silver thread is so shimmery.

This Japanese-inspired cherry blossom quilt is beautiful. The moon and rays are very delicate.

This quilt is very magical looking, and reminds me of the Viking tree of life.

The French Dressing exhibition by Ollivier Henry and Jean-Noel Lavesvre, who have both created costumes for the French Opera, features very detailed and delicate costumes.

Jackets by Maria Thomas, an alternative quilter who transforms every day objects into works of art, runs workshops in Warwickshire.

Game of Thrones: The Hardhome Embroidery, commissioned by HBO for the Season 5 DVD boxset, and created by The Embroiderers' Guild, Royal School of Needlework, Hand & Lock and Fine Cell Work. Nothing prepares you for how huge this piece was, and couldn't get it all in the frame – see it in person if you can, it's not going to have the same impact on a DVD cover! This was taken as high as I could hold my phone camera, and I'm still looking up at it.

Costumes from the King's Speech. This is probably the nearest I'll ever get to Helena Bonham Carter and Colin Firth.

A Cardigan for Cardigan, designed by Lisa Hellier to celebrate of the 900-year anniversary of Cardigan town. This would fit the ice giant nicely. Maybe if he was a little warmer, he'd be less bent on destruction.

Let's Go Shopping!

My mum's a keen dressmaker, so her favourite part is fabric shopping. We are extremely limited where we live for decent fabric shops, and venturing further afield can be tricky in terms of knowing where to go. As a result, we both usually buy fabric online. As you know, this doesn't compare to seeing and handling fabric in real life. Fabric shops from all over the midlands, and London, were gathered in the same space. We do the "monopoly method" of shopping – don't buy anything on your first trip around the hall, then make a plan of attack at the end...

It's always nice to see lace trim. Strangely, there wasn't any at the Alexandra Palace exhibition last year. I don't have a specific project that needs any at the moment, though.

The first stall we saw on entering the fashion part, Bombay Stores, is really pretty, and has fat quarters, fashion fabric and lots of silks and materials for sari making - these trims would also look lovely as a skirt border or waist ribbon. Bombay Stores is "the UK's largest Asian department store" and is based in Bradford.

Fabrics Galore was one of my favourite stalls. From Lavender Hill in London, they had Liberty print fabrics, lawns and cottons, all with beautiful prints. The dresses they had on display are simple but hang so nicely – I plan to copy the right hand one. Other people must have had the same idea, because the stall was running low on that fabric by the time I got around to buying some. So no points for originality, but I need this dress in my life, and it looks fun to make.

Higgs and Higgs was another gem. The name is so charming, I know it's someone's surname, but it conjures up cosy Hygge feelings. Look at all these florals! Ultimately, I didn't buy anything from this stall, but the fabrics available are really pretty, so I saved their website for later.

Cats. In space. Why? Because of reasons.

I regret not getting a better photo of this stall – Til the Sun Goes Down is run by a very impressive woman who creates patterns inspired by vintage clothing, sources fabrics, and designs printed fabrics all with a unique vision to inspire dressmakers to create vintage-based designs. My mum bought the blue fabric here. 

Alison Smith, author of The Sewing Book (a dressmaker's bible that has saved multiple projects of mine) was there and I was prepared to be a little awe struck – but it turns out she is really nice makes you feel so comfortable around her that there is no room to feel intimidated. She runs a lot of workshops, online and offline, which is interesting to see. She complimented Mum's handmade coat, and Mum walked away beaming, saying "write that down, I don't want to forget that".

The Aftermath

My fabric haul! I'm making a dress with the bird fabric, blouses from the lavender and perfume prints (although a sleeveless dress uses the same amount, so I can change my mind later), pretty tartan fabric for headbows and accessories, four fat quarters either for bags, accessories, or Blythe doll clothes (I haven't decided), and a couple of trimming remnants just because. I have to make up practise runs of the blouse and dress before I start on those (to make sure the pattern fits correctly and make any adjustments), but I can't wait to start cutting into these.

Are you going to the Sewing Show? Where do you like to buy your fabrics?