By Hand London - Elisalex and Charlotte

Nothing excites me more than discovering a new independent pattern designer that prints paper patterns, and I like to actively search them out.  Most pattern designers we stock were at Backstitch before any other UK shop (parp parp - that was me blowing my own trumpet, sorry about that).  So I was supremely excited when By Hand London came and introduced themselves to me - virtually of course.  And, THEY ARE BASED IN THE UK! 

Sorry to shout but this is truly exciting.  Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against all the lovely independent designers from beyond our shores, but I do have mild complaints about transatlantic shipping costs, import taxes and slow boats.

By Hand London are Charlotte and Elisalex. Don't they look lovely?  The two patterns that make up their Autumn/ Winter 2012 are (very sensibly) named after themselves and have fantastic British style.  Both the Charlotte Skirt and the Elisalex Dress have loads of good versions and are great value and £10 and £12 each.

And finally, when the box arrived this morning (all the way from London), on opening it I let out a little squeak and then may have even let a swear word escape for the packaging is very very nice.

09/11/12 EDIT: Disaster! The lovely ladies at By Hand London have discovered some issues with the printing of the tissues for these patterns and have recalled them.  They will be back in stock in about four weeks.  Click here to be told when they come back into stock.