As somebody who loves sewing, I'm very lucky to live in West London. The Goldhawk Road is only a short bus ride away (or car journey if I'm feeling incredibly lazy), so I can overindulge on fabric to my heart's content and am always covered for any sewing emergencies. The one thing West London has always lacked though is a contemporary fabric shop or sewing cafe. Places like Ray Stitch, The Village Haberdashery and Sew Over It are not situated in my manor so require planning on a military scale to sort out childcare and organise a visit. Wouldn't it be great to have something similar within spitting distance?
Well my wish has been granted as Badger & Earl sewing and craft cafe opened its doors in Chiswick last month. It's a coffee shop, haberdashery and workshop, all rolled in to one and what's more, it's in Chiswick!!! Just down the road!!! Hoorah!!! In their own words: "Badger & Earl is a new, more social way to sew and craft. Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast or a complete beginner, we are the place to come and enjoy needlecraft, great coffee and beautiful fabrics in lovely, friendly surroundings."
Owner Charlotte Pendred opened just in time for half term in October and had a busy week of children's classes making pom poms, button pictures, felt brooches and hair clips. She's slowly building the classes and workshops list for both children and adults. The current class list includes several Learn to Sew classes aimed at beginners (make a cushion cover, Christmas stocking or Christmas table runner) and an introductory dressmaking class run by Zoe, teaching you how to make a pair of kid's PJ bottoms! There are plans to introduce more dressmaking classes and workshops very soon - so watch this space!
I popped over to visit Badger & Earl shortly after it opened. It's a lovely, bright space - sewing workshops/classes are taught at the back of the shop where the machines are set up, and more informal sewing/knitting groups can congregate on cosy sofas at the front. There's also a further room at the back with a high table for cutting out.
In the shop section, there's a good range of pretty quilting cottons, a small, but growing range of dressmaking fabrics and a well stocked haberdashery section. I don't know anything about knitting, but the yarn section looked good too.
I bought a few haberdashery essentials, downed a delicious coffee and even left with two vintage patterns that Charlotte kindly let me borrow! None of my friends who live locally are interested in sewing, so I'll be mounting my own private campaign to get them over there to discover it for themselves. If that doesn't work, I'm hoping I can meet a few new, local sewing buddies through Badger & Earl. I really hope Charlotte's venture is a success and look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength. If you're in the area, don't forget to pay a visit, they're open seven days a week (10-4 on Mondays, 9-6 Tuesday to Saturday and 11-5 on Sundays).
Happy Monday! x
This is soooo cool. We have nothing like this here in my corner of Northland. I suspect you're going to be a regular!
ReplyDeleteIt really is very cool, I'm so lucky! And yes, I suspect I'll be paying a fair few visits! x
DeleteThis place sounds lovely. And so does your area in London.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of West London! And the new sewing cafe is fab! x
DeleteI really wish there was something like this in my area! So jealous x
ReplyDeleteYou never know what might happen. I'd given up on anything like this happening in my area and then this lovely place appears! x
DeleteI'm sure you'll make lots of sewing buddies here, it looks like a nice place, but the cakes look too tempting!
ReplyDeleteI can only hope that there will be more places opening up across London as they maximise on the current popularity of sewing/crafts.
Aw I hope I meet a few sewing buddies too! x
DeleteOhhh, you are "sew" lucky!
ReplyDeleteI certainly am! x
DeleteDo you think they would let me move in? I promise I'll be real quiet and won't take up much room!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's all arranged, you can have your very own shelf to sleep on!
DeleteI really wish I lived in London, between the amazing markets and sewing cafes I'd be in heaven. My local town (Bracknell) doesn't even have a fabric shop, or a wool shop or anything!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely make plans to visit this cafe though because it looks fabulous.
We Londoners are lucky having so much sewing temptation at our fingertips! x
DeleteThis place looks amazing. Lucky you for having it so close. Streatham really needs to raise its game!
ReplyDeleteI know, I can't believe my luck! x
DeleteStreatham! I live there And count myself lucky that I have Simply Fabrics and 43 Market Row in Brixton, Fabrics Galore in Battersea and Sewing and Craft Store at Tooting Bec all within walking distance or a short bicycle ride across Clapham Common and,even better, all with a choice of cafés with homemade cake. OK, I admit Sunshine Arts, which has sewing machines on the premises is a bit out of the way so I try and drag members of the dressmaking club round to my house to pin snip and fit-and, of course, eat cake.
DeleteWhat a cute little sewing and coffee joint! Wish I lived closer so that I could go!
ReplyDeleteAh, so do I Madalynne! x
DeleteI had no idea that this had opened. I will get myself along there. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteOh good, get yourself down there, run like the wind! x
DeleteOoo, how exciting! And not too far from my digs, either. I shall go have a gander when I have a minute. Thank you for sharing! Marie xx
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, hope you get to pay a visit soon! x
DeleteThiis is very exciting news. As a fellow West Londoner, I have also found it difficult to reach other sewing cafes. I may have to visit in the very near future and also try and meet some fellow "sewers" - like you, my local friends are not as excited by fabric as I am!!
ReplyDeleteIt IS exciting news isn't it?! My local friends are completely nonplussed, so it's good to see fellow Stitchers getting excited! x
DeleteHow wonderful for you! It looks like a lovely place to visit on a regular basis. Best of luck to the owner!
ReplyDeleteIt does feel wonderful - I'll pass on your best wishes to Charlotte, thank you! x
DeleteLooks great. Nothing like that near me sadly. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm very lucky having this sewing cafe near me! x
DeleteI've never heard of anything like that here in Canada. Sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt IS amazing! I think I'll be a regular! x
DeleteHi Jane, I want you to know that you are awesome and you have inspired me a lot when it comes to sewing! Work has been getting in the way lately and as much as I want to put aside some time for sewing it's just not happening due to momentary craziness of stuff happening around, but keeping my fingers crossed that soon it will all happen and I will post the updates in my blog!
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a sewing cafe before as there's not one in my country of residence (I think) nor in my home country :( I must put it in my itinerary when I plan my next travels, to visit Badger & Earl!
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Aw thank you so much, that's wonderful to hear! Keep up the sewing! x
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