A stitch in time:All you crafty people out there should put November 1st-4th into your diary, the dates of the annual Knitting & Stitching Show at the RDS, Dublin.
This year's event features a number of interesting exhibitions such as the Calico Project celebrating Derry's shirtmaking tradition along with patchwork and quilting skills.
From the Hunt Museum in Limerick comes a selection from the Sybil Connolly archive including samples of her pleated linen.
There will also be a rare opportunity to see an exhibition of Miao embroidery from southwest China. Virtually unknown to the wider world until the late l980s, more than 50 pieces illustrate the rich heritage of the embroidered clothes still worn by the Miao people, all are handspun, handwoven, dyed in natural indigo.
Tickets €14, students/OAPs €12, children €6. Tickets: 0044-1473-320407
A pin for your collar
Still on the subject of embroidery, our very own Irish lesage is Helen Fitzpatrick from Lurgan, who creates haute couture pieces for some of the world's top fashion houses such Prada, Valentino, Armani and Oscar de la Renta among many others.
Now Tipperary Crystal has added her name to those of Sybil Connolly, Louise Kennedy and Patrick Guilbaud with whom they have successfully collaborated, with the launch of their new jewellery range by Fitzpatrick.
It comprises 22 pieces in four styles including pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings in gold, clear and black. Prices start at €50 from Arnotts, House of Ireland and the Kilkenny Shop.
Just be cos
The most talked about new shop in London is Cos on Regent Street, an upmarket venture by H & M that opened four months ago offering sleek modern clothes in luxurious fabrics for both men and women drawn from pared down Scandinavian style "with a wink at the 50s and 60s".
Made by a family-run textile company in Italy, the clothes are spare and sophisticated, free of superfluous pattern and have the strong hand of designers Rebekka Bay for womenswear and Michael Kirstensen for menswear. Best of all are the accessible prices.
The current collection for women includes some lovely shirts, dresses and knitwear along with handsome accessories and bags not weighed down by unnecessary hardware.
The place was jammed with shoppers the day I was there, most leaving bearing a Cos carrier bag with its signature striped grosgrain ribbons. Prices start at around €25 for a leather belt, shirts €49, knitted dresses €69 and wool coats €175.