Review: The Fabric of Civilization – How Textiles Made the World by Virginia Postrel

Apr 7, 2021Apr 7, 2021 toomanystitches3 Comments

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Some books manage to demand you read every page of them and this week’s review is for one such text. Fancy figuring out the secrets of Machiavelli’s childhood and how textiles shaped his plays and thinking? Eager to find out just how hard it is to knit a 3D bunny on a machine? Read on – this is the text for you!

Britex Take II

Sep 12, 2018Sep 9, 2018 toomanystitches4 Comments

When I visited Britex Fabrics last year, I mentioned in the post that it had moved location shortly after my visit. It hasn’t moved far, and is located now just around the corner at 117 Post Street in Union Square. I’m pleased to say that the move hasn’t impacted their stock much and there is even now a new little resident sheep on the second floor.

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SF School of Needlework & Design

Aug 29, 2018Aug 1, 2020 toomanystitches3 Comments

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links meaning if you sign up to the course from this blog or purchase any of the books, I get a small commission. However, any recommendations and opinions are my own. For more information, please click here.

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I don’t know how I’d managed to miss this fantastic institution on last year’s visit to California, but just in case all the wonderful quilt stores haven’t wowed you, or the amazing world of lace, San Francisco has yet another gem very well hidden away on top of Tiffanies, the SF School of Needlework & Design.

New Pieces Quilt Shop, Berkeley

Aug 1, 2018Jul 30, 2018 toomanystitches3 Comments

My second-to-last ‘quilt stop’ around Berkeley for the day was a pleasant 20 minute walk from my previous destination, The Black Squirrel. Even in the rather warm Californian weather, the walk down 4^th Street to New Pieces Quilt Shop is well worth it as there are a few shopping gems on the way, including a gorgeous Japanese paper specialist store and overly quirky stationary shop.

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The Black Squirrel, Berkeley

Jul 11, 2018Jul 3, 2018 toomanystitches3 Comments

After a visit to Stonemountain & Daughters Fabrics, I headed towards the water and The Black Squirrel, a store promising yarn, fabric and excellent design. This was not the most logical way to do my trip (I should have headed to Lacis first as it’s less than a fifteen minute walk from Stonemountain) but I didn’t realise this until afterwards. Poor planning on my part! I was curious though to see exactly what The Black Squirrel was all about.

A Quilt Tour of Berkeley

Jul 4, 2018Jul 3, 2018 toomanystitches7 Comments

It’s always great when you find a place home to not just one isolated craft shop, but several, all within relatively easy travelling distance to each other. Welcome to Berkeley, quilters’ heaven, home to some wonderfully quirky and welcoming textile institutions.

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Yarn Shop Santa Cruz and Fengari, Half-Moon Bay

Jun 6, 2018Oct 12, 2018 toomanystitches6 Comments

Cross the river from Harts Fabrics in Santa Cruz and you’ll come across a very appropriately named shop, Yarn Shop Santa Cruz. No prizes for guessing what they sell a lot of. Lots of lovely, snuggly, squishy wool.

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Harts Fabrics, Santa Cruz

May 30, 2018May 6, 2018 toomanystitches6 Comments

I’m not sure the traditional image of Santa Cruz comes with sewing machines and knitting needles but it turns out that Santa Cruz is actually a veritable goldmine of craft shops and fabric stores. Then, when you’re done with your shopping, you can grab an ice cream and go hang out with the seals on the pier. That is, if you don’t get trapped forever wandering around the vast expanse of Harts Fabric.

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Golden State Quilting, Campbell

May 23, 2018May 5, 2018 toomanystitches4 Comments

It’s very hard not to love California with its great weather, beautiful coastline and abundance of really excellent craft shops. I certainly found a few good places when I visited last year. So what better way to guide a road trip south of San Francisco than trying to combine as much sea and fabric as possible?

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Knitting by the Sea and the Llamicorn Legend

Feb 21, 2018Feb 17, 2018 toomanystitches3 Comments

A trip to California wouldn’t be complete without following some of its legendary coastlines and dropping into a yarn shop or two on the way. In the quaint, picturesque little city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, is the aptly named, Knitting by the Sea. Maybe knitware and sand aren’t a combination that instantly springs to mind, but this lovely yarn shop will soon have you convinced.

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