On Sunday 17th January I boarded a bus with around 50 other women to take part in a Fabric Frolic. What is a fabric frolic? It is an event organised in Melbourne where from the 15th – 23rd of January each year there is a shop hop organised taking in seven shops. The fabric frolic bus takes in these seven shops all in one round trip. You enjoy the ease of being driven around in the company of other fabric frolickers. The shops visited included
- The Quilters Patch
- Palm Beach Quilting
- Patchwork Passion
- The Patchwork Teahouse
- Textile Offcuts
- Ringwood Sewing Centre
- Lily Patches
*click on the link for more information
Each bus had a hostess, mine was Satu and I was on board the Moorabbin bus.
Originally the frolic was organised by four women who each owned an independent patchwork store. Since then it has grown to seven stores. The stores offer specials for the frolic and there are prizes and an individual shop draw.
The first shop I visited was at the start of the tour so even before I got onto the bus.
Quilters Patch in Moorabbin
9/3 Tuck St, Moorabbin
I have previously reviewed the Quilters Patch and you can read about it here.
The quilters patch supplies a diverse range of quilting fabrics and supplies. There are many batiks and Australiana fabrics. The owner Laurene’s beautiful shop is stocked with many types of fabrics, patterns and notions.
It is also a gathering place for quilters to develop their skills. There are quilting groups and classes. There is a quilting service available.
A short drive to stop number two
Palm Beach Quilting
7/2 Industry Boulevard, Carrum Downs
Stay tuned for a full review of this shop in a few posts time.
This store is known for its wide-backed backing fabrics. There are over 200 in store a massive range.
They are also a Judy Niemeyer certified shop so they have all the quiltworx patterns and are trained in her methods.
There are longarm machines in store on display and in use with quilts loaded and ready to go. Which is really interesting for those of us who haven’t seen much longarm quilting. They do offer a long arm quilting service.
Our third stop was
Patchwork Passion
29 Hotham st, Cranbourne
Lorraine, Lyn, Alison and Annie are always on hand to assist in this store that opened in 2007. They specialise in finding just the right fabric for your project. Block of the month and kits are available.
Quilting groups and classes are available and special tutors are often brought in for special classes.
Our fourth stop took us on a long and windy road to Warburton, to the
Patchwork Tea House
3305 Warburton Highway, Warburton
Here we were greeted by the owner Marilyn. Some of the women from the bus had preorded a lovely lunch of sandwiches, a slice and a coffee. The store was quite busy but there was a very excited busload of women. Many of whom had been there before.
Marilyn open the store in 2002 when she realised there was a gap in the market in Warburton for a patchwork store. The current store is a 1930’s historic building at the entrance to the township.
They would love their customers to bring their sewing, come for the food and friendship whenever you are nearby.
A short bus ride later and we arrived at
Textile Offcuts
186-188 Main st, Lilydale
This shop is filled with notions, threads, patterns, backing, batting, patchwork fabrics and dressmaking fabrics.
Our next store was the
Ringwood Sewing Centre
2/54 Wantirna rd, Ringwood
Established in 2001 they stock all types of sewing machines. They also stock patchwork fabrics and laces, machine embroidery supplies, books, patterns and thread.
Just down the road, there is a new longarm centre which stocks everything longarm related.
Our seventh and final shop was
Lily Patches
7 Erica ave, Boronia
Open since 1997 June has been a passionate owner of this store. There is a large range of fabrics, patterns, haberdashery, books and magazines.
There are clases and sit and sew groups on offer.
As we are on our way back to Moorabbin out bus hostess Satu hosted a raffle in which prizes had been donated by sponsors and the participated shops. This was in addition to a lovely treat bag that we were given at the start of the trip that had a fabric from each of the seven stores and a voucher to spend in February. Plus a little lolly bag the way into anyone’s heart!
It was a really enjoyable day with lots of really lovely ladies. I will look forward to boarding the bus again next year.
