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Resources => Events => Topic started by: DementedFairy on March 25, 2017, 22:06:12 PM

Title: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on March 25, 2017, 22:06:12 PM
Well hello!
Fairy led tour of Birmingham Rag Market, Fancy Silk Store and Barry's warehouse.  Lunch at one of the many local nom-nommeries [Japanese nosh at Mount Fuji being a great favourite] and many drinkies and haul comparisons at the pub afterwards.
Roughly 1030-5 for the faint of heart, ever onwards for the boozers.

I am proposing three possible dates during the Easter break, with future meets at Whitsun and in the Sumemr if wanted.

I'm tied to college holidays, so the Easter batch will be
Tuesday11th April
Tuesday 18th April
Saturday 22nd April

Let me know if you want to join the happiness and spend all your dosh!  Prices range from £1/m with all sorts of fancy high end stuff if you want to go crazy.  Bring a trolley...
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on March 27, 2017, 08:13:16 AM
I am looking at one of the Tuesdays, subject to my being able to get a ticket that doesn't entail taking out a second mortgage and being able to avoid the dire London Midland.  0_0  Will let you know.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on March 27, 2017, 08:31:40 AM
Just looked up a return ticket £76...gulp
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on March 27, 2017, 09:01:30 AM
Vege, deals can be had provided you book sufficiently in advance and are prepared to start out fairly early.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on March 27, 2017, 10:06:43 AM
Aaaaaand we have a taker!  Wohhoo
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on March 27, 2017, 13:25:19 PM
Vege, deals can be had provided you book sufficiently in advance and are prepared to start out fairly early.
that is a deal Utta.. normal fare £128
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on March 27, 2017, 16:03:21 PM
Aaaaaand we have a taker!  Wohhoo

Some lucky person will be getting a personal guided tour.  0_0
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Swisslass on March 27, 2017, 20:57:23 PM
I wish DF, Twas a great day out! I remember picking up a huge roll of elastic with '£3' sellotaped on it and asking that was the price per metre 'No luv - it's for the roll.' Been living here too long ....
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Tamnymore on March 27, 2017, 22:23:59 PM
It's the fruit and veg I can't get over. I find myself asking 'all that for a pound?'
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 01, 2017, 11:30:14 AM
Just bumping this up the list to see if anyone is planning to join me.  I thought someone had said they were coming, but the post seems to have vanished so maybe I dreamed it?

Three dates remember, Tuesdays 11th and 18th, and Saturday 22nd.

Come one, come all!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Samantha on April 01, 2017, 11:50:32 AM
I wish i could but unfortunately I have to look after two small children as it's the holidays  :'( Train fare is only £25 from Sussex too.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 01, 2017, 11:57:24 AM
lol fob 'em off for one day!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: SingingSinger on April 02, 2017, 08:33:26 AM
I wish I could but I'm at work the first date and away on holiday  for the other two. :(
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: shadykittykat on April 02, 2017, 17:15:53 PM
I'm wondering on the possibility of escaping child free for a day. It usually goes down like a lead balloon, more with dh than the dd's. I will see how the land lies but the 18th would be the one I would be aiming for
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 02, 2017, 18:28:48 PM
whoop!  Very exciting.  I'm also dragging along the friend whose wedding dress I'll be making...it's nice to be on a mission, might even deflect me from more buying!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on April 02, 2017, 19:23:57 PM
A train from here takes 3h 41m and costs £56 - I won't be going  :(
I was born in Birmingham and lived in Sutton Coldfield til I was 10, so I have a few memories of the Bull Ring, would have been interesting to see what it's like now.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on April 02, 2017, 19:42:08 PM
I have just found a London/Birmingham/London ticket for £11.00  0_0  The downside is that I need to drag my sorry arse over to Euston Marylebone (even further a way) for the 10:10  and not miss the 15:15 from Moor Street.  Need to think about this.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 02, 2017, 22:02:29 PM
I have just found a London/Birmingham/London ticket for £11.00  0_0  The downside is that I need to drag my sorry arse over to Euston for the 10:10  and not miss the 15:15 from Moor Street.  Need to think about this.

Bargain price- but not much actual shopping time.  Poop.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on April 03, 2017, 08:27:20 AM
I have booked those tickets for Tuesday, 11 April.  Get into Moor Street at 11:56 and must catch the 15:15 return train.  That's plenty of time for someone who may not necessarily buy anything.  0_0
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on April 03, 2017, 10:04:27 AM
... someone who may not necessarily buy anything.  0_0
Hahahaha!!! 0_0 0_0
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on April 03, 2017, 15:01:42 PM
You think I am joking.  I really don't expect to buy anything and am coming a long way just to say hello.  :D
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 03, 2017, 19:55:57 PM
You think I am joking.  I really don't expect to buy anything and am coming a long way just to say hello.  :D
That's fab- I'll still try to tempt you though!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on April 08, 2017, 17:41:16 PM
So who is on for next Tuesday?  I have my tickets and should be getting into Moor Street just before 12 noon.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 08, 2017, 17:51:37 PM
So who is on for next Tuesday?  I have my tickets and should be getting into Moor Street just before 12 noon.
Well, as I tout for new marketeers all over the place, there's a lovely mate from work who does Tudor re-enactments, and she's looking for stuff for her next project, there's also at least one new marketeer via my blog, and Glenda DID say she was joining for one of the Tuesdays, so definitely at least a nice group of 4-5, which usually means less chance of drifitng and losing one another in the market!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on April 09, 2017, 15:33:01 PM
Have to save up and come another time the  train fare..£72. the cheap one doesn't get me in till 11.40...
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 09, 2017, 15:39:19 PM
Utta Retch is getting in about that time, and has to go earlyish too...it's a long way for just a couple of hours though
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on April 09, 2017, 15:51:09 PM
@Vege: I am already going to have to leave at 07:30 to make sure I get to Marylebone on time even if this means I have to kick about for an hour or so.  I ain't getting any earlier train.  0_0
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Efemera on April 09, 2017, 17:34:31 PM
OMG...£187 ... that's a lot of stash!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on April 10, 2017, 21:05:32 PM

Dear Fairy and Utta and all fairy's other friends... I hope you have a lovely time and I am not jealous at all... sob.. I will be  sensible and think sensible thoughts like my £72 ticket wouldn't get me there till 12.40 and I could get the 18.30 train home but it would take 4 hours and DH would have to come and collect me and it will be total of 7.5 hours on a train .. I shall have to do a little online shopping to console myself... :toast: :gin:.. love vegegrow
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 10, 2017, 21:18:55 PM
Dear Fairy and Utta and all fairy's other friends... I hope you have a lovely time and I am not jealous at all... sob.. I will be  sensible and think sensible thoughts like my £72 ticket wouldn't get me there till 12.40 and I could get the 18.30 train home but it would take 4 hours and DH would have to come and collect me and it will be total of 7.5 hours on a train .. I shall have to do a little online shopping to console myself... :toast: :gin:.. love vegegrow

Maybe you'll have to get him to drive you down and make a weekend of it some time...
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 11, 2017, 18:11:45 PM
Well #1 was fun- we fluctuated in numbers throughout the day, with people coming and going, and some starting at Barry's and joining us for lunch, but I got some goodies.

Yes I know, I wasn't going to buy any...but LIBERTY JERSEY AT £3/METRE?  come on...

2 khaki jersey remnants, 1 rust, one raspberry.  Liberty jersey for £3/m so I had to have a dress length.  Ultra wide curtain lining for toiles, also £3/m.  Skull buttons, zips, lace...and camembert for 50p a slab, and some nice fresh pears and limes.

Not bad, and will blog properly later!

Thanks to Pamela, Ann, Cat, Kim and Karen for the company, and the chit chat over lunch.  Noodle-icious!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on April 11, 2017, 19:27:30 PM
Got back home just after 7pm having left home at 7:30am  0_0  It was a long day and it really was just to say hello as I didn't buy so much as a reel of thread.

DF: the coat pattern that drew so much interest amongst the group is

(http://s3.amazonaws.com/Sewcratic/patterns/_patternThumbnail/90483/butterick-6143-2014.jpg)

Thanks for an entertaining day.  :flower:

Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 11, 2017, 19:48:46 PM
It was brilliant to see you [and the coat is gorgeous!]

All photographed, and blogged here
https://thedementedfairy.wordpress.com/2017/04/11/rag-market-at-easter/?frame-nonce=f8c1d6a04d
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on April 11, 2017, 19:51:51 PM
Ah, you are too kind.  :*
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Samantha on April 18, 2017, 21:37:15 PM
Looks like you had a great day - what bargains!! The coat is really lovely.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Lilian on April 18, 2017, 22:50:32 PM
Sounds like you had a great time.  I really miss that market now I have moved out of the area, and am not good on my legs for all that walking.  I used to work in Brums centre and would go to the markets every lunchtime.  Ooh I do miss being able to do that.

Lovely coat too UR!  :D
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 19, 2017, 10:24:32 AM
It's always fun, there's always new fabric to see, and bargains to be found.  It IS a lot of walking when you do the full tour, and I often wish Barry's had a few chairs for the creaky ones to take  a rest[meaning me]

Saturday looks to be a large group meeting, and they will want the full tour, so it will be exhausting [but fun]!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 21, 2017, 10:16:14 AM
Next meet-up is tomorrow folks, just bumping this up the list [if that works!?]

1030-11 am meet in the church cafe, then a rollicking tour of fabric heaven, with a nice lunch thrown in.  At least a group of 7 tomorrow, so there will be lots of loud cooing and ooh-ing.

Joining us?  Let me know [I lost my previous list when I waved my arms around and knocked me tea over.  Ahem]
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Francesca on April 21, 2017, 10:21:02 AM
I wish I could come, one day I will. It's just too far for me at present, but maybe I can combine it one day with a visit to the Great North / Mids to see other half's family (Grantham, Peterborough, Lancaster).
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on April 22, 2017, 20:54:30 PM
A frabjous day again- I did manage to be very good indeed.  All I bought was some interfacing, some buttons, some dress net for a 50s petticoat, and one impulse buy of 2m of lovely soft ponte/scuba for just £4/m.

However, I did enable my lovely mate to find some gorgeous stuff for her wedding dress, so much vicarious happiness ensued.

Next one will be in May, anyone want to join in?
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on May 16, 2017, 19:00:13 PM
Dear Fairy ... I'm going to the Rag market... Yay.....I've googled Barry's store and the route to the warehouse  but are there any stalls I shouldn't miss.... (Going on Friday).. DH and my Mum are coming too but I'm hoping to sneak off to the warehouse...Mum is 83 but she's pretty game... :ninja: DH is good but I don't think he will manage Barry's store the market and the warehouse..  |O 
:fabric: :fabric: :fabric: :fabric: :fabric: :fabric:
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on May 16, 2017, 19:16:02 PM
The only stall that has to be 'caught' is the jersey lady, and she's only there on Tuesdays!

Apart from that, start at one end, and 'upsy daisy' the aisles so you find everything.  Lots of habby, major bling at the end furthest from the church, and that's also where the African Wax fabrics are [If you can't find it, ask people to point you towards the costume shop, which is on the same side]

There aren't so many stalls outside [known as 'the row'] but worth a mooch if you want to find very cheap and cheerful.  Lots of tat, but some happiness can always be found.  that's where I usually get extra wide curtain lining for toiles and underlining]

Unless you are looking for something very specific, Fancy Silk Store can be overwhelming, but at least it's still near loos and food.  Stoke up [and have a wee] before heading to Barry's though!  Oh yes, Barry's IS the warehouse, don't get mixed up with FSS which is just over the road from the markets.

Looking forward to seeing pics of your haul xx
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Sandra on May 17, 2017, 09:24:03 AM
I always feel that I've gone the 'wrong way' when I go to Barry's. I rarely meet a soul when I walk down there.

It seems so odd after leaving all the crowds and noise of the markets behind and then to feel so alone....

Have fun, Vegegrow. It's a shame you'll miss the jersey lady, but Barry's is good for bargains too.

Sandra.
xxx
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on May 17, 2017, 10:05:56 AM
Yes, that's why I always offer to lead people round, chuntering on about how it always feels like that when you go on your own!  I'm sure it's full of activity at 5am, when the wholesale markets are busy, but not so much at civilised hours!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on May 17, 2017, 21:58:25 PM
Thanks Fairy and Sandra ... :*
Just made a list...  :loveit:
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Emma2109 on May 18, 2017, 09:07:04 AM
Absolutely love the rag market (Brummie born and raised...been down south for 25 years now after marrying a Londoner....).

I still have family in and around Birmingham and 'pop' into the market when I go home (when I say 'pop'...what I actually mean is 'spend at least 2 hours meandering'..)...

Let me know of the next visit/tour as would love to tag along...new to sewing and usually spend my time in the market staring in awe at all the delights on offer (that and the fact I am usually accompanied by my sister who can't for the life of her understand why I love fabric and is useless at discussing drape and patterns!)....
xxx
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on May 18, 2017, 17:53:26 PM
I usually do them in school breaks so I can go on a Tuesday and snag bargains from the Jersey Lady.

Whitsun is coming up...then I will be off work for most of July, so more than happy to meet up then, as long as my marking is on schedule!
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on May 19, 2017, 19:40:47 PM
Back this evening... Had a good time ... will post pics tomorrow  :loveit: 0_0 :* :loveit: 0_0 :*
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on May 20, 2017, 09:08:30 AM
Well the jersey lady may not be there on a Friday but Jersey is what I bought
Top left turquoise embroidered £1 a metre Barry's.. pink and rust 1/2 metres  £3 and £3.50 to trim existing stash Barry's
Bottom left Turquoise £1m Market
Middle Top Row Teal Liberty£5 a metre
 overlocker threads 75p each
Mid Bottom Row blue Floral Liberty £5 metre 
Right top red Floral (is this the same as your "libertyesque" print DF?)£3 a metre  ( also saw it on a new stall that just sold Liberty fabrics so I think its Liberty)
Middle Small floral Liberty£5 a metre
On the Liberty stall we bought 2.75 metre of for a dress for my Mum http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LIBERTY-100-SILK-CREPE-DE-CHINE-EMERALD-BAY-A-/172603875588 ( this is his ebay shop we paid £22 on the stall)
and as it was his first silk sale on the stall (2nd day there) when I asked if he had any 'queue for the Zoo' he gave me this fat Quarter which was all he had (bottom right on fabric picture)

Had a lovely time
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: fajita on May 20, 2017, 09:14:33 AM
Very nice haul. Is that a Liberty print down there on the bottom right?
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on May 20, 2017, 09:19:34 AM
Lol you got some of my lovely red and black jersey there missus, I know which stalls you've visited lol.

Lots of the traders sell jerseys but the Jersey Lady sells loads of odd pieces, and it's a lovely jumble sale of bargains!

The Liberty-look is probably [I suspect] from the guy outside [The Row market] who usually has about a dozen bolts at any time.

Nice selection!
This was my red/grey floral dress, did you see it?
(http://i.imgur.com/Emo0SXR.jpg)
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Tamnymore on May 20, 2017, 09:49:51 AM
Wow. Great haul.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on May 20, 2017, 10:06:54 AM
Very nice haul. Is that a Liberty print down there on the bottom right?

That's my Queue for the zoo Fat Quarter ... I asked about fabric as DD would like a shirt in it and he gave me this which was nice of him  :)
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on May 20, 2017, 10:13:53 AM
Lol you got some of my lovely red and black jersey there missus, I know which stalls you've visited lol.

Lots of the traders sell jerseys but the Jersey Lady sells loads of odd pieces, and it's a lovely jumble sale of bargains!

The Liberty-look is probably [I suspect] from the guy outside [The Row market] who usually has about a dozen bolts at any time.

Nice selection!
This was my red/grey floral dress, did you see it?
(http://i.imgur.com/Emo0SXR.jpg)

Yep recognised it straight away ... think I might make a tunic top with long sleeves and cowl neck ( very rarely wear dresses) all the liberty jerseys were from a stall inside the St Martins bit... Saw the chap outside but didn't buy...
sat in the car on the way home and had regrets about not buying several things.. but current stash is huge so was well behaved  :fabric: :fabric: :fabric:
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on May 20, 2017, 10:18:09 AM
It's so hard to stay strong there isn't it?  I'm so short of cash right now, I'm trying to stick to stash only- it's also huge, so should keep me going for quite some time!
I only saw the one posh jersey inside, but that stall is very small, and very crowded, not surprised it's easy to miss!  Enjoy your haul
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Acorn on May 20, 2017, 16:00:24 PM
Wow... so jealous...  :P
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: sewingj on May 20, 2017, 18:37:05 PM
.
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: DementedFairy on May 20, 2017, 18:48:04 PM
Not a daft question at all.  For most of my many years of sewing, I would always head to shops or market clutching my latest  pattern, and buy pretty much exactly what it said.
You still end up with plenty leftover, as pattern layouts are never very economical.

Fast forward MANY years, and I found The Sewing Forum[precursor of this site].  There I learned about stash, about buying on impulse for the hell of it, and only matching patterns and fabric by chance.

Naughty TSF!

Basically, as so many answers, 'it depends'

It depends on your size, your skill in eking something out of nothing, fabric width,  and on your favoured styles and shapes of garments.  If in doubt, hunt something out on t'net and look at yardages.

I tend to buy 2 or 3m depending on intention, price, and impulse.  Some of my historical makes demand greater yardages, but for 'normal' clothes that's ample.  For simple tops or shortish skirts, you can get away with just 1m.

A while back someone produced a guide to 'how much fabric to buy' I bet if you google you'll find it
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Vegegrow on May 20, 2017, 19:11:36 PM
I worked in a fabric shop for a lot of years so I have a basic theory of twice the length of the planned garment plus your sleeves for a 45"/ 115cm wide fabric  and I work on twice your length for a 150cm/60".........
but
and its a big BUT
it depends on your size.. and practice cutting out
I bought mostly 1.5 to 2m (jerseys are 150cm wide) most of these fabrics will be tunic tops .. I'm a good 16/18 I don't like fitted and most of these are darker winter shades I allowed 75cm each length  thinking I will get a front or back and a sleeve on each 75 cm length 2m lengths will have a fold over cowl collar... I haven't added facings as there won't be any....

It may well be worth having a note somewhere of a few favourite patterns a shirt a simple dress a pair of trousers  I always reckon patterns overestimate so if you've made something you like and have a chunk of fabric left ... lay out your pieces on a piece of stash and see how many metres you need...but remember if your fabric has a  check/ stripe or big pattern you might need to do some pattern matching


Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: UttaRetch on May 20, 2017, 22:35:30 PM
I always used to buy five metres of 150cm wide fabric and rarely went above £5 per metre.  I made a lot of fit and flare clothes and the skirts were voluminous.  I never bothered with the suggested layouts and used to waste a lot of fabric when I cut, which is why I didn't go beyond £5 per metre.  0_0
Title: Re: Birmingham Rag Market Meets #1 #2 and #3
Post by: Acorn on May 20, 2017, 22:56:49 PM
I generally assume that (for wider fabrics around 58 to 60 inches) I will be able to get a top with sleeves or skirt from 2 metres, and a dress from 3 metres.  Trousers are another matter entirely, but 2 metres may well be OK, 3 metres will be.  If I have something in mind that's different to the things I usually make I usually buy a bit extra, just to be sure.

44/45 inch fabrics I don't usually buy less than 3 metres, and I'd want to check a pattern if it was for trousers.

If it's a remnant and I love it, I'll figure something out later.