So I was a little bit surprised when Mr Whistlebare asked whether there was any cash he could take on his business trip down south. Apparently he wanted it incase he dropped into the lovely Oxfordshire farm, where we found some of our foundation Bowmonts, and they happened to have a tup for sale. It is very important to change tups regularly to prevent inbreeding within the flock. Our first Bowmont Tup, imaginatively called ‘Tuppy’ was a very fine lad as you can see in the photo above.
The big question is whether or not Mr Whistlebare was aware that the nice farmers in Oxfordshire were retiring? I like to give him the benefit of the doubt and so support his impromptu decision to buy five tups and eleven ewes. That is eight more sheep than fit in our stock trailer so a second trip to Oxfordshire is now required. It is also sixteen more sheep on our farm since our collective decision to reduce numbers. What can I say, farming is not rational, how could it be with magnificent sheep like Tuppy Too about?
In the Studio I have been sewing again. We recently received a delivery of fabulous organic cotton gingham seersuckers from Merchant and Mills and I have been obsessed with them. I love everything about them, all the colourways are dreamy and the texture gives the lightweight fabric absolutely perfect structure. I have a new rule. I am only allowed to take fabric home from the shop on the day that I am actually going to make the garment. The shop is not my personal fabric stash. If a customer buys the fabric before I have had a chance to sew with it, then that is my hard cheese and it is not reasonable to refuse the sale.
Thinking it would be a quick and easy sew I decided to make Merchant and Mills’ ‘Cirrus’. It’s an unusual batwing top with ribbed armholes and a drawstring waist, just right in this warmer weather. The pattern is just a couple of pieces with bias bound edges. What could be easier? Well, when you choose a fabric that has a very strong stripe, both in colour and texture, and have to pattern match a curved french seam over the shoulders……. suffice to say it wasn’t the relaxing day I had in mind! I LOVE the result though!
Bookings are open for Sunday Sewing workshops at Whistlebare Fold: expert tuition in a relaxed, small group setting, using our beautiful natural fibre fabrics.
Bookings are also open for our heavenly knitting and yoga retreats. Read all about them here. Click the links below to book :)
4th July https://gymcatch.com/app/provider/8640/events/9149466
19th September https://gymcatch.com/app/provider/8640/events/9149468
Whistlebare Fold is open from 8.45am - 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am - 5pm on Sundays. Online orders remain open as ever.
If you would like to visit, you can find us at: 17A Bridge St, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1ES
Very best wishes,
Alice
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