Fabric Hauls (catchup)

I wasn't able to sew *for me* during Feb/Mar but that didn't mean no fabric shopping was happening. Lemme show you.

Fabricmart haul



1. Pink/blue/gold floral cotton, possibly for a maxi skirt or dress like Butterick 5755 or McCall's 6558, view D
2. Pink/Blue cotton madras for a shirt dress. I really like M6520, view A
3. Black polyester matte jersey for Vogue 1250, this will be my first LBD! I want to make it in time for the wedding rehearsal dinner. Time and energy willing.
4. Blue/black/gray abstract ITY knit for a DVF style wrap dress. I'll prolly remake B5030.
5. Black and white cotton seersucker for B5647, view B.
6. Graphic floral cotton twill for either a blazer or a pair of pants. If I can get to it by summer it'll be pants inspired by these beauties that I pinned.
7. Magenta r/p/l ponte.  I got it with B5752 in mind. Then I saw Mimi's SMOKING dress and I knew I made the right choice! (my other option is a sleeveless B5559)

Joann's mini haul

Joann's has some really beautiful prints this season. I'm really in love with their "Global Traveller" collection. I purchased these  "Simply Silky" cuts in February and got to cutting AS SOON AS I finished them dang bridesmaids dresses!!! As of Sunday night, they are sewing up beautifully! I am making two New Look 6053 sweatshop style. I hope to be wearing these bad girls ASAP! (*note. I scheduled this post earlier this week and have since finished the skirts! I'll take pics of and post them tomorrow.)

annnnnnnnd I forgot my Blogger Anniversary like I do every year. Happy 5 years to me.

Fabric Haul 11-12-11

I went to G-Street Fabrics (Rockville) hoping to find the fabric for my bridesmaid gown, but was out of luck, color wise, and they didn't have silk jersey at that location. I really wasn't too impressed by the selection of knit colors, but the cotton interlock and double knits they carry look and feel 10x nicer than the ones at Joann's. With the price to match. I had my Veteran's Day coupon and a $50 voucher from Living Social so I was cool. Some of the faux furs were exquisite, but I stayed focused.

On a whim we stopped by Hancock Fabrics in Langley Park, which was closing (they had pattern cabinets for $50) and found THE perfect color jersey in a polyester satin for $4.50/yard. Score. Me and the other Maid of Honor are wearing a different color than the other BMs so I will be making our dresses.

1.  6 yards wax print from Sara Fabrics ($25)

2.  2 yards Wool Suiting from G-Street Fabrics ($14.97 per yard)

 3.  2 yards Cotton/Poly/Lycra double-knit from G Street Fabrics ($19.97 per yard)

 4.  9.5 yards Satin Polyester Knit from Hancock Fabrics ($4.50 per yard for the 2 Maids of Honor)

5.  1.5 yards Black Cotton Interlock  fromG Street Fabrics ($13.97 per yard not shown, in the washer)

I wonder what kind of sewing machine he has...

Kanye goes fabric shopping for himself??!?!!

Pic Source

"I want to work from the ground upwards, I don't want to leave it to someone else."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2043856/Kanye-West-spends-14-000-London-fabric-store-whilst-enjoying-cuppa.html#ixzz1ZTp3VBe3


He's really taking this fashion thing serious. Imagine Kanye West of all folks at the fabric store!!! I don't have a fabric shopping buddy - I prefer to go it alone, but I think I could make an exception for him.

...I'd probably leave it at that, I don't think I'd wanna hang with him at the fashion studio given his temper reputation.

Now I'm kind of curious about his upcoming line. What about you?

Sewl Food: Fabric Buying

When I first started buying fabric, I was so excited about finding deals that I bought everything I could get my hands on because it was cheap. (I am sew in love with the Walmart $1 table)

BAD IDEA.

That impulse buying resulted in a tacky, low quality, cluttered stash. I felt like I wanted to chuck it all and start over but I can't do that with a clear conscience. I will just try to reduce faster than I add for now.

I know deep in my heart, that no matter how much I try:

• I will always have a stash
• I will always gravitate towards sale & clearance fabrics first
  
• I will not always be able to resist buying a piece (or 2 or 3) of fabric when the urge hits me.

Knowing this I felt I needed to develop a new method for buying fabric. I decided to build a "happy" stash. This has slowed my purchases & makes me think before I buy and I am very happy with the fabric I bought this year.

My criteria for adding to a happy stash is:

1. Know what the general yardage is for your garments. This will be based on your pattern stash. I don't always buy pattern and fabric together, so this allows me to buy what "moves" me and makes the piece more flexible. For me pants generally take 2.5 yds, knit tops 1.5 to 2 yds, woven tops about 2 yds, skirts 1.5 to 3 slim to full.
2. Check the quality - when I scan a fabric I think Walmart or Bergdorf? Cheesy or trendy? Trashy or classy? This doesn't always equate to $$. I just bought some great stuff in the clearance section of Joann's (see pics below) and I will still shop the Walmart $1 table.
   
3. Make time for fabric shopping & don't shop in a rush. I make the best choices when I have time to look and analyze. I try to go early or late to miss the crowds. By nature I am a "hunter" shopper, I look under and in-between to find those hidden gems.
   
4. Ask yourself "Will I like this next year in case I don't sew it soon?"
5. Gravitate towards naturals. I am finding that cotton and linen are so easy and such a pleasure to sew though! I say gravitate, because polyester often comes in some of the nicest prints. Most of my locally available cottons, rayons, linens are in florals and plaids - & not the cute ones. I am looking forward though to getting my hands on some silks and wools to practice with.
   
6. Stock up on "classics" like shirting, solid knits, solid bottom weights and denim. Garments from these fabrics are always staples. I make these my just in case I want to sew something fabric purchases.
   
7. Last but not least, just because it's free (or next to free), doesn't make it right. Last year when I went through my aunt's stash I was grabbing everything I could. If I get the chance again, I will be more selective.

Here's what I got today for about $19.

100% cotton stripe shirting. $2.50/yd. Seeing it, I immediately thought about Simplicity 3684.
I JUST noticed those HIDEOUS BOOTS she's wearing - LMAO!!!!

100% cotton Italian Jacquard $2/yd for New Look 6732

camo cotton/spandex blend, has some sequin detail. $1.5/yd for Simplicity 3515. (bottoms)
and for the top, 100% cotton Alexander Henry Mocca print $2.5/yd

Fabric excitement

in Tejas...

SewPurple commented about a fabric warehouse in Dallas and it woke me out of my Monster.com haze.... I Googled and found some fun stuff to explore...

1. GoldenD'or
2. A nice list from DawnPages
3. Make classes/crafts
4. eBest Fabric fun home dec prints
5. Richard Brooks looks $$$ but beautiful!!!
6. Some indie joints like: Fabricadabra, Fabrics-n-More, Dallas Button Supply, Wherehouse Fabric Outlet, and many more. I really hope these are current listings.
   
7. Then they have Joann's, Hancock's and Hobby Lobby!

This is so much more than I have locally available in Baltimore. Ah yeah baby, pattern & fabric addiction will be in ful-l-l-l-l effect.


the Gorgeous stuff...
I finally took the plunge and got Gorgeous. I ordered a few tester yards and now I am SOLD. I have to be conservative right now, but as soon as the dust settles I will become a regular customer because her knit selection and customer service is to die for!

I got 2 yards each of:

images from gorgeousfabrics.com

This gorgeous lt.weight jersey will be for BWOF 2-2008-123

This gorgeous sweater knit will either be a cardigan, wrap top or dolman sleeved top.
Not sure just yet.

I am working on some work pants, hope to have them done this weekend.

Laters...