New In & Updates!

So as the world winds down in preparation for the big day, the shopping is done (for some, not me!), the pressies are wrapped (see previous statement), the trees are up (ummmmm, ditto) and we're all getting into the Christmas spirit (maybe a little.....) we thought we'd share a bit of fun with you to do in those final days of work (or even if you're working over the festive period) or at home. 

Behold the Fabric Shack/Whole Hog Christmas Quiz! Apologies for the Malmesbury-isms for those who aren't local, there are ways and means of finding them out.

Merry Christmas everyone, hope it's everything you wish for x

Okay so if you're sending to very foreign parts, you need to get a wiggle on; China & Japan need their bits and pieces before the 6th, yes, that's next week!  Our antipodeon pals in New Zealand and Oz will need their Standard International parcels by the 9th.  Our Canadian and American friends will need theirs by the 14th (pretty good I think!) and any parcels going to Europe need to be before the 13th December (France, Spain, Ireland are slightly later at the 15th).

In the UK, the last Second Class post is the 20th December and First Class 21st December. 

I have to say our local posties have been utterly wonderful this year, they really pull out all the stops if you need them and haven't once let me down.  We generally send by 2nd Class postage and this invariably gets there the next day if we get it in the post in the morning (seriously, unless it's really urgent, there really is no need to go for first class post).  I sincerely hope they have a lovely Christmas.

Go green, ditch the Christmas paper wrapping for a reusable fabric alternative. 

I've been having a trawl for fabric gift bags to wrap my Chrissie pressies and have stumbled upon quite a few different ideas.

The Japanese art of Furoshiki seems a good starting point and oh, so easy peasy!  Buggy & Buddy have a great set of instructions and include how to decorate the fabric yourself.

Craftsy comes up trumps again with a couple of ideas and some free patterns for those who just need a starting point.  These are cute and really easy from Shiny Happy World.  They would also make great wedding or party favour bags.

Want something a little more complex?  This is a really straight foward free pattern from Do It and How for lovely gift bags (and size up to use as a shopper afterwards!).

Why not make the wrapping the present?  This is a great free tutorial and pattern from In Colour Order's Blog which gives you a choice of eight sizes!  Would make a lovely bathroom travel bag, especially if you lined it with a waterproof lining (get a cheap shower curtain!).

All these lovely ideas now, and still haven't finished the shopping (eeek!).  Just need to choose a lovely Christmas Fabric to make it and voila.....  I'm done.  If it was only that easy huh?!

Bernina are hosting a nice charity making session in aid of Friends of the Elderly.

They are asking talented crafters to make a Christmas Tree Decoration to adorn a FOTE Tree in one of their many residential homes in the UK.  For more information click here.

You'll need to get a wiggle on though, it needs to be with them before the 17th of November.

Have a look through our Christmas Shop for inspriation.