Maldon & the Village Patch

 

On the way home from our visit to Ballarat, Mum and I decided to stop off at the historical old town of Maldon.

 

Maldon is a town in the Shire of Mount Alexander  and has been designated "Australia's first notable town" and it is notable for its 19th-century appearance, maintained since the gold-rush days.  The heritage streetscape not only gives you a peak into what life might have been like in the gold rush era, but it is also a photographer's dream!

 

  Video courtesy of Maldon Tourism.

 

Maldon is a town that is steeped in history. The National Trust declared it Australia's first Notable Town in 1966. It once had quartz reefs that were among the world's richest, attracting a population which built grand houses and a very busy commercial centre.

 

Maldon (Population 1,500) is located 135km northwest of Melbourne in the heart of the Victorian Goldfields. The town is nestled on the slopes of Mt. Tarrangower in an agricultural, pastoral and mining district. It has retained an authentic pioneer-like appearance with history of the gold-mining era being preserved.

Imagine my surprise when I suddenly realised that one of the building facades that I had been standing in front of and admiring, was in fact a quilt shop & upon checking my watch I noticed that it still had a few minutes before it closed.  I think I squealed with delight because my mum came running to check that I was alright! LOL

 

I met the lovely Lee French - the owner of The Village Patch.  She was tidying up after having a very busy day with visits from two coach loads of tourists; but despite her exhaustion she was warm & friendly and welcomed my visit.  As it was so close to her closing time, I kept my visit brief (much to my Mum's relief), but I assured her that now I know she is there, I will definitely be back as she is only about 45-minutes drive from where I live. 

This was such a wonderful way to end a most amazing day out!

 

 

The Village Patch is a retailer of patchwork and quilting supplies. They have over 3000 fabrics in stock; threads (DMC, Superior Threads, Bottom Line, Rasant and more); kits; gifts, books; quilting accessories and other hand made goods.  The Village patch also offers a personalised machine quilting service. 

  



The Village Patch - Maldon

 

The Village Patch

49 High Street

Maldon, Victoria, Australia

 

Opening Hours:

Open 6-days 10am - 5pm

(Closed Tuesdays)

 

www.villagepatch.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagePatch/



My stash from The Village patch - I purchased some cream fabric, some buttons and some Superior Threads The Bottom Line" thread for my applique.  Now that I know this shop is so close to home I will DEFINITELY be going back on a regular basis!!!

I hope that you have enjoyed reading my series of posts from my visit to Ballarat and Maldon.  If you know of any other quilting/needlework stores in or around the Bendigo/Central Victorian/Goldfields area, please let me know and I will try to arrange to visit and review them.  There are a number of shops here in Bendigo which I now realise that I will have to review for you.

Meet Gail's Patchwork Emporium - Ballarat

 

The third stop on our Ballarat itinerary was to the famous Gail's Patchwork Emporium.  This was my first visit although both Mum and Jess had been here before. 

 

 

Gail's Patchwork Emporium is one of Australia's oldest quilt stores and is situated in Sebastopol, a suburb of Ballarat, Victoria.  It was established back in 1981 and has won numerous awards for excellent customer service, design and decoration, outstanding contribution to the patchwork and quilting industry and tourism. 

 

Gail's stocks thousands of cotton fabrics; exotic trims; ribbons; patterns (including Judy Niemeyer); hundreds of patchwork/quilting, applique and mixed media books; and a large selection of sewing accessories (including a good range of Clover products).  Amongst her delectable array of fabrics, I noticed that Gail's has a very good selection of delicious batiks. 

 

In the thread department she stocks: Superior Threads, YLI, Valdani, Cosmo (but not their variegated threads) and Cottage Garden Threads. 

 

I think I went "WOW!" when I walked through the front door!  I was told that I would be impressed with this store and I certainly was!  The shop extends way further to the back part of this photo - there are a further 3 rooms full of fabric and other accessories.  What Gail has listed on her website is just a small snippet of what she has in her shop!

I'm so sorry I didn't realise I had taken so few photos inside the store - I was too distracted by all the pretties.  I will DEFINITELY be coming back here. 

A lovely display of Ric Rac toys sits proudly near the front door.  Jodie's patterns can also be purchased from Gail's.

 

 Gail's Patchwork Emporium

131 Yarrowee Street

Sebastopol, Victoria, 3556, Australia

 

Opening Hours:

Mon - Sat 10-5

 

http://www.gailspatchwork.com.au/

 

Promo:

Gail's Patchwork Emporium have their annual sale with lots of new decorations, fabrics, books and trims that they are renowned for. 

1 - 31 December 2014

20% off all stock.

10am - 5pm Mon to Sat

Groups & Buses Welcome.

Call 03 5335 9066

 

 

My stash from Gail's - I purchased a charm pack of Bonnie & Camille's new range "Daysail" and some meterage of "Grunge" in Mint by Basic Grey for Moda; some Aubergine/Eggplant coloured fabric for a quilt and Mum bought me a new Clover Seam Ripper.