Shopping at Patchwork Passion, Auckland
A walk down Onehunga Mall, a helpful owner named Robyn, and everything I needed to restart a hexie project on the road.
Near where I was staying in Hillsborough, Auckland, at the start of my New Zealand trip was Onehunga Mall. Since I started a Masters degree in 2017, I found myself unable to do much quilting, which is a passion that I developed from about 2011. (I visited in 2017; the shop is still trading on Onehunga Mall, but do check current hours before making a special trip.)
Onehunga Mall
I decided to walk there. I had to laugh at some of the vendors… I'm not sure I'd buy meat from someone who self-declares as mad!
Onehunga Mall had a good range of shops, mainly discount stores and the occasional charity store. I noticed that - throughout NZ and Australia - Salvation Army stores were everywhere, with just a few SVP shops. There was nothing I needed there, so on I walked, getting in my 10k steps!
Patchwork Passion, Auckland
I had found out about Patchwork Passion online. I wrote to Robyn to check if she kept hexie paper pieces in stock and she responded to me within the day.
She had a lot of great stock, including a fantastic iron bedstead laid out with what I think was a BOM (block of the month) quilt kit.
Paper Piecing Supplies
Perhaps foolishly, I had decided not to take any hand-quilting/paper piecing supplies with me on the trip, but found myself itching to create something in my leisure moments. While I enjoy screen time, I don't always want to fill that with watching TV.
I love all the room for the cutting table! Giving me inspiration for creating a nice bench like that.
Behind every bookshelf was another well-organised group of treats! I needed some embroidery needles (check) and did I need cotton or polycotton for piecing hexies? Robyn was on hand to advise that poly would hold better.
I picked out a small range of fat quarters in French Lieutenant red, white and blue. I've always wanted to do a red, white and blue quilt in muted colours, in the style of an Americana quilt (not a British/French nationalistic quilt, nor indeed American in that sense).
Robyn & Practicality
I also needed a small rotary cutter but Robyn had no small cutting mats. What to do? Never fear, next thing, Robyn was rummaging through a cupboard at the back of her classroom. She pulled out a well worn large mat which had cracked a little. However, the corner was in perfect shape, not used at all. She cut off a piece for me just the size I needed (and for nothing!). What a star!
I'm unsure if my hexie quilt will end up being a quilt or a wallhanging, because I chose very small hexie papers, meaning it could take a lifetime to complete as a quilt. My major concern is how to finish the edges on a hexie quilt. More research needed on that one!
Meanwhile, here's a picture of the lovely Robyn! If you're in Auckland, pay her a visit! For getting into the city in the first place, see my guide to Auckland airport transfers, and my New Zealand guide for the rest of the trip.