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Friday, March 6, 2015

First visit to Stitchbird

What to do when a visiting quilter comes to the big city?  Why not visit a “new to me” quilt shop in Kilbirnie, Stitchbird, a place I had long wanted to check out.  As out of towners ourselves, this was the ideal opportunity to give both me and my new  friend Sharyn a quilty experience. Sharyn arrived on the Dawn Princess cruise ship just that morning for a day in Wellington,  and we were giving her a quick sightseeing tour around the capitol city.

Stitchbird is a lovely shop, light and airy, and obviously the business is on the way up, as they have already changed to bigger premises.  Here we are – this is the place.

P3030013 Stitchbird in Kilbirnie

We both got a warm welcome as we entered the doors – very important I feel, as a friendly greeting always makes you feel you are coming to a nice friendly establishment.  We were free to browse around, take photos (I asked first, of course), and the girls were at hand to offer help and advice if needed.  Stitchbird Fabrics was born out of a desire to bring some gorgeous fabrics that are available overseas to New Zealand, and offers contemporary, retro and vintage style fabrics as well as accessories and gift ideas.

P3030010 Quilting fabrics and patterns

I loved the large selection of baby gifts, tiny little soft shoes, little hats, bunnies, even some cute bunting.  Just a shame that no one in my family is at the baby stage at the moment, otherwise I wouldn’t know where to start – or stop, for that matter!

P3030009For the well dressed baby

There was a lot to look at, from cushions and aprons, to a wide range of haberdashery items.  Something for everyone, I’m sure.  Sharyn picked out a couple of green fat quarters to go into her latest project for when she returns home, and I purchased a couple of patterns.  You can find Stitchbird at Shop 25 Kilbirnie Plaza in Wellington, or check out the web site.

P3030012It is a lovely, airy shop

The friendly advice even extended on where we could go for lunch.  Try the Spruce Goose, we were told, in Lyall Bay,  just before Wellington Airport.  So we did, the food was delicious, and we watched out the large windows as one plane after another took off for an adventure.

P3030017 We lunched at the Spruce Goose

3 comments:

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

This shop is gorgeous and the baby things so adorable. From another post, what is hokey pokey ice cream.

Selvage Quilter said...

Thanks for the tour of the lovely quilt shop. Being up to our ears in snow in the US, it's fun to go shopping with you and your friend (even if it is a "virtual" trip). Did you find any goodies there?

NickiJ said...

You've inspired me to get a grabaseat and fly to Wellington for this reason alone!!