A visit to Stitch Fest South West 2021

On the 6th of November we attended @stitchfest at the Newton Abbot Racecourse. Stitch Fest is the biggest yarn and fibre show in the South West. We wanted to get inspired and it's always great to meet potential supplier is person.

Despite there being a lack of recycled yarns that would be suitable for our collections here at better. we had interesting conversations and met lovely people. For example Niki @alliumthreads. Niki dyes her yarn using natural dyes from plants from her  own garden or foraged nearby. Every batch is slightly different, depending on time of year and weather, and different fibres take the dye in their own way to give varying shades. 

We also met Hannah @thecamelsyarn. Her yarn is sustainably sourced and ethically produced. It's great to hear that she ensures to only use yarn that is mulesing free​ and which is treated in highly regulated treatment plants, thereby reducing it's environmental impact. A percentage of every order is donated to Eden Reforestation Projects to help plant trees. They are a non-profit organisation working in developing countries, reducing extreme poverty and restoring forests. 

One of the next fairs we'd love to attend is the @futurefabricsexpo which showcases thousands of sustainably produced textiles and materials. 

Please do leave us a comment below if you know about any other yarn / fabric exhibitions especially if they have a focus on sustainability!