Features
Sew a simple boxy shopping bag with Backstitch in Cambridge, England.
How did you get started?
Backstitch started as an online only shop in 2010 when owner, Alice Synge, discovered a dearth of modern online fabric retailers. The webshop pootled along in a rather gentle fashion until 2013 when Alice gave up her day job and dedicated herself to the business. Backstitch opened their first bricks and mortar premises at Burwash Manor Barns just outside Cambridge in 2014 and have not look back!
Where are you located?
Backstitch is located on a farm shopping complex in the village of Barton just off the M11 outside Cambridge. Burwash Manor Barns is a complex of 15 independent retail outlets, a day spa and a tearooms.
Which products do you specialise in?
We sell all things sewing related. Vibrant and contemporary quilt and dress fabric, a vast range of independently designed dressmaking patterns, threads and haberdashery. We also run workshops from our bright studio space.
Do you have a particular favorite product that you sell?
What gets me really excited is the fabric. From that usually follows a quilt or a garment. Our stock is ever changing, so I have to jump on it if I don't want it to sell out before I grab some myself! I am particularly proud of our large range of dressmaking patterns from small independent designers.
What's on the stereo?
At the moment? First Aid Kit and The War on Drugs. Old favourites include Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones and Rufus Wainwright. You'll also find us listening to reruns of Desert Island Discs.
Where else should we visit in your area?
You'll need all day!! Come and visit all the shops, have a treatment in the spa and lunch at the tea rooms. You can go on one of Burwash Manor 'Running Fox Walks' which take you around the farm and say hello to the pigs and alpacas.
Do you host any workshops, classes or special events?
We are always running workshops in the shop. We run all sorts of classes: sewing machine basics; dressmaking; machine and hand embroidery; smocking; applique... the possibilities are endless! Classes are available to enroll onto online and in the shop.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
Seeing as we started online our webshop is of fantastic quality. Almost all of our shop stock is on the site, and we provide a same or next day dispatch service, posting first class around the UK and via airmail internationally. Our online and instore channels are integrated so that you can order online or over the phone for delivery or collection instore as well as using our mail order service.
Do you have a favorite craft, art or supply shop in your town that we should feature? Send us a message!
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