Catching October leaves

As a child, it was considered lucky to chase and grasp a falling leaf from a tree this month. Not something I’ve done recently but worth remembering to make a wish for.

Welcome Autumn! The trees have begun to change colour so thoughts are turning to indoor activities, fairs and workshops to keep us occupied.

We’re catching up on recent events and favourite campaigns too…

Wool Week 

The Campaign for Wool celebrated all things woolly including Woolly Hat Day on Friday 14th October that supported The Mission to Seafarers, the largest international maritime charity.

A beautifully designed installation-  the Wool BnB included Blue Patch Member Angie Parker Textiles.

We dreamt about snuggling in Angel Cottage Organics blankets made with wool from their farm, wearing salted wool socks by Laura’s Loom.

Every week is Wool Week with Barley Massey -with all methods of stitching, threads & craftwork. Buy your supplies from a new stock of gorgeous British wool and book a class at Fabrications in Broadway Market.

Offset Warehouse let us know that the amazing Fabrications store just had a new delivery of Offset Warehouse fabrics… perfect timing for that autumnal crafty project!

‘When you buy from a social enterprise you can do a whole world of good.’

Social Saturday was all about encouraging people to buy from social enterprises – what a brilliant idea and one close to home.

Blue Patch member businesses that are social enterprises include:  Fine Cell Work, Ethex, Triodos Bank UK, The Soap Co. Fable and Base. Without forgetting that Blue Patch is a Social Enterprise too!

‘ We were so excited to be part of the Social Enterprise UK Social Saturday 2016 at Borough Market. It was wonderful to meet so many amazing social enterprises and see so many people interested in hearing about how they can buy social. We were all visited by actor Michael Sheen and the BBC as well!’  The Soap Co.

Elegant. Ethical. Sexy. Sustainable. Where are your values?

A great byline and question from new Blue Patch Member:

Kitty Ferreira UK.  Valerie Goode, Founder & Creative MD is in the business of Slow Fashion that’s made in the UK with upcycled fabrics and silks eco dyed with pomegranate and onion skins.

‘We are slow manufacturers of premium sustainable womenswear, with low minimums, specialising in short orders.’ Kitty Ferreira UK.

 The Dry Cleaning Initiative

BLANC is proud to help recovering addicts get back on their feet as part of the Dry Cleaning Initiative. This is the result of a brilliant collaboration between Action on Addiction and top ad agency Leo Burnett.

The new atelier space is where they clean clothes and household fabrics in a clean, non toxic environment. Unlike traditional dry cleaning methods which are harmful to employees and neighbours, they use biodegradable and non toxic detergents and so we get steam not fumes.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS FAIR 31st October – 6th November Olympia, London.

Look out for Ally Bee Knitwear, Beefayre, Julu and Lala & Bea.

Beefayre really are busy bees and just created a new Autumn Winter Collection, ‘Winter Garden’.

You could win tickets for you and a friend: Follow Ally Bee Knitwear on Instagram @allybeeknitwear to find out. You will be notified by DM by Sunday 23rd. We were really pleased to see Ally Bee has been listed at number 4 in the London Evening Standard’s Top 10 best ethical fashion stores!

The inaugural Handmade Edinburgh opens its doors on 28th October

Lisa Watson will be showing her distinctly British Quilts, Cushions & Blankets on stand M47

UK Construction Week – uniting the built environment industry

This week sees the UK’s largest event for the built environment. With nine shows under one roof including Timber Expo, the Surface & Materials Show and Smart Buildings 2016 (18 – 20 October at the NEC, Birmingham).

English Oak Buildings are committed to only using British green oak that has been sustainably sourced.

Read more about their environmental policy on the website.