I had a lovely Saturday before Christmas visiting my local fabric store; Barry’s in Birmingham. Those of you who live in Birmingham and are addicted to fabric, will I am sure know this store very well!
There is no pattern of fabric that they do not sell! Anything you could wish for in terms of stripes, spots, teacups, gingham and special occasion fabrics, Barry’s sells.
You can gain so much inspiration from just going in for a quick look. Shall I make a skirt from this? A dress from that? That would look nice in!!! etc, etc.
I originally went in with a list of the fabric that I wanted. I really don’t know why I bothered! I did purchase all I needed plus quite a bit more! Well, its a treat, isn’t it? (Did I mention how affordable the fabrics are?). Notwithstanding the special offer fabric rolls they have!).
Readers of my blog will know that I am obsessed by the 1950’s and I have been making some vintage style retro half aprons as my latest project. I had in mind a kitchen inspired fabric for the front of the apron. Well, I was spoilt for choice! There were dozens I could choose from. In the end I plumped for a selection of named cakes (macaroons, eclairs etc) all in a pretty vintage stlye on a cream background. I also bought some retro jar fabric with a green background. Both will do nicely for my vintage style aprons.
My son wanted me to make a new PE bag for school for him – his London transport made bag has served him well for 2 years, but is showing a fair sign of wear and teat! He’s obsessed by cats at the moment, so he chose a lovely cat fabric, which I made into a bag for him with his name on. Very chic! He loved it. On the way to the measuring desk, I spotted some monkey and bananas fabric which I thought would look great for making into a PE bag or toy bag. That’s my next project.
My final purchase was some cotton plain pink fabric to make “mock ups” of dresses and skirts that I enjoy making for myself.
While I was paying, my lovely husband after playing hide and seek with the rolls of fabric with my son! took these photos for me. He’s quite used to my fabric obsession and is fairly handy at suggesting fabric that I might like.
Lizzy's Homemade 
Have heard so much about Barrys but never made it beyond the Rag Market! Will need to check it out 🙂
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Hi Jennystitched. Thanks for reading my blog! Barry’s is just round the corner, about a 5 min walk but it does have its own car park too! Hope you enjoy!
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Oh dear, my poor bank balance, I feel a day trip from Derby coming on!
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Hi Keepsmeoutofmischief. Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you get to visit Barry’s on your day trip! Are there any good fabric shops you can recommend in Derby? We visit Matlock quite a lot so Derby would be on the way!
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It’s not as good as it used to be. The market has a couple of stalls but they’re fairly standard. Lovely, helpful staff at the one right in the middle of all the stalls.
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