Well I’ve got my first craft fair tomorrow at the Grassington Dickensian Fair. Grassington is a very pretty village up in the Dales and every year they hold a Dickensian Fair over two weekends in December, people come for miles around so I decided to take a stall in their indoor craft market on the two Saturdays. The theory being that firstly it would be exhausting doing a full weekend and secondly if I happen to sell a lot of stock I can do lots of sewing next week!!
I’ve been busy making things over the last couple of months, hindered by family needing to take priority, so I didn’t think I’d made enough, but actually when I set up a practice stall at home the table looked pretty full.
I found it hard to decide what to make, there’s always that thought in the back of my mind that ‘what if it doesn’t sell!’ am I going to be left with large quantities of something. My original thought was bags and cushions. I made one bag but then decided against it, they actually take a fair bit of time and fabric and by the time you add interfacings, wadding, hardwear…it all adds up, there is also the factor that as most people now uses tote bags etc for shopping, there are lots of nice but inexpensive ones around.
…but I did make some cushions, six of them in fact. Last Christmas I made my children some with their initials on in black felt and a pompom trim. I didn’t want to do letters, but I used the applique idea and did one of a dachshund, making it with a flappy ear and button eyes. It’s turned out pretty cute. If it doesn’t sell my daughter wants this one! 
I also used the elephant pattern from Helen’s quilt to make a two cushions, again the ear is flapping and I also embroidered the tail. The backs of all the cushions have a button fastening, which gives a nice feature to the back I think.
I wanted to do a running hare but I couldn’t find a pattern the right size, so I did a moon gazing hare instead. The last two cushions are from a gorgeous agapanthus fabric from my stash.
One make I’m hoping will do well is silk padded coat-hangers. I really enjoyed making these and they are so pretty, they are decorated with gorgeous laces, silk roses, feathers, beads, buttons, pearls. Every lady should have one for that special occasion dress!! I’m particularly pleased with my idea of using an embroidery frame to display them!
I think one of my favourite ones is a black one with feathers on!
I made lots of Christmas tree decorations, embroidered, lacy, jingle bells, I’ve got a bare tree with twinkly lights on to display them on now too.
I also made several lengths of Christmas bunting, 4m lengths, looks very festive!
We’ve got to dress up too…I’m not keen on ‘fancy dress’! I was trying to decide what to wear when I remebered in the loft I have an evening dress from my 20’s which is actually a skirt and top in a stunning blue silk. I’ve also still got a silk dupion blouse I made in the 1980’s which due to it’s voluminous nature, still fits me! The skirt however was far too small, I’m now 2 stone heavier and my waist is about 6″ bigger judging by my attempts to try it on…I just needed a new waistband! I started to rummage in my silk scrap box. I’ve always kept any scrap which was big enough to cover a coathanger. If it was meant to be I would find a length of the blue silk….and there at the bottom was a piece of the bluesilk, plenty big enough to make a new waistband! It was a fairly quick job to unpick it and stitch a deeper, longer waistband on.
I’ve found a shawl to wear with it and a brooch I made a couple of years back. My OH is meant to dress up too. He’s Australian and reckons that as he was born in Melbourne, Victoria, he is a true Victorian and therefore doesn’t need to dress up….that isn’t washing with me, I’ve found his wedding waistcoat to wear!
Fingers crossed it will go OK tomorrow, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to say the least!
thecraftycreek 
fingers crossed that the craft fair goes well for you, and the you come home having sold everything! You’re going to look lovely all dressed up, and your broach is a gorgeous touch.
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Good luck, all the best and fingers crossed for a successful Fair – you’ve certainly made plenty of lovely stuff. I wouldn’t mind one of those agapanthus cushions, myself! Tell your husband to stop being such a sook, don’t trip over his bottom lip, and get into the togs or you’ll crack the shits at him.
He’s Australian. He’ll understand….
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Your comment made my OH chuckle 🙂
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😉
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Good luck at the craft fair! You have some great items to sell!
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Those elephant pillows are cute! Lots of good wishes on selling your crafts! Lovely blouse.
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Fingers crossed!
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I feel sure you’ll not have trouble selling all of your work. Everything is fabulous. Have fun!
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Good luck hope it all goes well today 😄
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Good luck! Your stall looks inviting and I love the coat hangers, and the dachshund cushion. Your outfit looks brilliant.
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You’ve made some lovely things. Let us know how you get on! Good luck!
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We dd our first two craft fairs this year so I know how nervous you’re feeling! But you’ll have tons of fun and get great feedback and you certainly have cool things to sell! I love the hare pillow!
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Oh, I hope it goes well, take lots of pictures!
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I hope you had a good fair. Your items are so lovely – I love the cushions and hangers!
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Yes, I want to see photos of your stall too — before, when it is all set up and after, when everything is sold! I hope you have a lot of fun. As another Victorian, your OH’s comment made me smile, but Kate’s response made me laugh!
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Thinking of you… Hope it goes well and that you have lots of fun doing it. I love the hare and elephant cushions, and i think your notebooks are really cute too. I love your outfit too… Nice job on quick modifications
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Oh my goodness I wish I could attend! Your offerings looks lovely and how wonderful you are going to be in period dress! Hope you share photos of the fair and hope you have great sales!
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How did the fair go? I hope you sold lots of your things
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I bet you did brilliantly. I love the hare and the elephant cushions, and the sheep decoration and the coathangers. I love how you finished the ends witha button. so neat.
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