Wee Birdy

March 3, 2010

Best of London shopping: Fabrications*

Long before London's contemporary craft scene took off, Broadway Market's Fabrications was quietly carving out a niche for themselves from their independent boutique. Offering a plethora of crafty courses, as well as a range of textiles and design by new and established local designers, the shop also serves as a studio space and gallery for owner and in-house designer Barley Massey.

One side of the shop is dedicated to a quirky range of stationery and badges made by Hackney locals,
accompanied by a profile on each artist. Keep an eye out for Lucy Jane Batchelor’s sweet retro-style collection including tooth fairy envelope cards for children and her clever Missing Button badges.

The
nice thing about Fabrications is that stock is constantly updated, so
you’re likely to discover new gems all the time. I like the fabric
pouffes bound by knotted rope using traditional sea-faring techniques
(£150) and The Old Broad Bean (the Queen) Cockney
jewellery, featuring faces of the royal family (and er, Dodi) on dried
beans. Prices range from £3 for a badge to £30 for a necklace or
cufflinks.

Another highlight is the wall of rainbow-coloured yarns
(wools for winter and cottons for summer) and a small range of vintage
yarn and hand-spun yarn with lanolin. There is also a wide variety of
knitting and sewing supplies, including super-sized knitting needles. Beginners
can get fully kitted out here, with knitting packs complete with
instructions and a pack of wool, as well as customised sewing kits for
£2.50 with basic embroidery stitches.

On my visit, I found a pile of vintage
knitting patterns for babywear and some wonderful ‘80s pattern books
including designs by Jean Paul Gaultier and Alaia.There was also a sweet collection of knitted goodies, including traditional Bakewell tarts, “I heart Hackney”
purses and potted cactuses (bonus: not prickly
at all!).

Don’t miss in-house
Massey’s ingenious range of eco-friendly cushions, pouffes, rugs and mats made from recycled bicycle inner tubes and vintage shirt ties. Amongst many of her
commissions was the infamous Lost Vagueness tent at Glastonbury in
2003. Just imagine: your own piece of fabulous festival fun at home
(minus the mud).

Fabrications
7 Broadway Market
London E8 FPH
Tel. 0207 275 8043
Nearest tube: Bethnal Green
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday noon-5pm
Or call for appointment.

Click here for more Wee Birdy shop reviews on Broadway Market.

* Please bear with me – I'm flying back to my Sydney nest so I'm digging into the Wee Birdy archives for a couple of weeks. Normal posting (and ace new London shops) will resume shortly. xx

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