Fabric Crazy

I've gone a little fabric crazy lately.  I just can't seem to help myself, to be honest I could, it's called not going into a fabric store.  But I swear the fabrics are calingl to me with their siren song.  With the treasures I've found in the last few weeks can you really blame me?

This is a linen rayon blend, one of my favorites.  I am a sucker for rayon, but add some linen to that and I'm hooked.  Did I mention it was only $4 a yard.  The weave in this fabric is absolutely amazing.  Check it out:

Amazing right? The colors are a bit subdued for me, but I love love love this fabric.  I got enough to make a substantial garment, but I'm going to have to brain storm the best garment for this fabric.

  I also found this great batik fabric at the same shop.  It was also a steal and I'm thinking a sorbetto, or better yet a dress.  (I have a feeling that this is going to be the summer of the dress for me.  I just love them so.)

Earlier this week I wandered into one of may favorite fabric shops and almost left with out buying anything until I found this amazing cotton print.

I just couldn't say no to cowboys on bucking broncos.  This is definitely becoming a dress.  It is on the to sew list right just after I finish my Jakob Flannel.

My final fabric purchase was this pretty cotton print.  Like my cowboy fabric this is going to be a dress.  I'm going to play around with the orientation of the print on the dress having it go vertical or horizontal depending on the pattern piece.

How I Spent My Easter

I bought some great fabric from Spool.  One was even on sale!

The colors in this fabric are so summery.  I love that the flowers look like they are made from crochet doilies.

This fabric isn't usually what I would pick out, but I'm trying to break out of my box.  I say this while realizing that I tend to purchase floral prints all the time so maybe this isn't a stretch for me. 

This is going to become a Sorbetto as soon as I finish up my pants and shorts.  (I ran out of the thread I was using to sew them so they are on hold till I go to the fabric store before work today.)  I found the pretty mint green bias tape in my notions stash.  

Since I had to put my shorts and pants on hold I made this new wallet out some of my scraps.  The pattern is from DixieDIY. 

I may have run out of navy thread, but I seem to have a ton of lime green.  

Here's a shot of the inside.  The fabric was left over from our wedding.  

Then I made a blueberry pie.  

Trousers: The Fabric

I found the fabric for my Janina trousers.  I found this great wool suiting at the Pennsylvania Fabric Outlet.  It was originally $15 a yarn, but they were selling it for half that price so I got two yards.  I am really in love with this fabric it has a great drape and is going to make stellar pants.

It's hard to tell in my photo's, but the fabric is a subtle plaid.  It's woven with white, gray and light lavender threads.  It was a great find at the fabric store.  Now I just have to cut out the pattern and get sewing. I'm hoping to have these completed by the end of February.   

For The Love of Philly: Pennsylvania Fabric Outlet

This is my favorite shop in Philly to buy fabric and buttons.  They have a huge selection of fashion fabrics, cottons, linen, wool, practically everything.  One of the best things too is it's an outlet which sells close out so the prices are half in not more off the original.  It's one down fall is that if you see something you like you should snap it up while you are there, because who knows if it's going to be there when you go back.  Since the fabrics are close out they can't order you more.

What I like about this shop is that it is easily navigated.  Unlike a lot of shops in fabric row you are able to explore and see all the wonderful goodies in stock.  Stock is neatly displayed on shelves and racks and hung up on walls.  It's not fancy, but it's not messy.  The staff is helpful and if you can't find something they will probably know right where it is.  

Not only is there a huge selection of fabric there is also a wall full of buttons and other hardware.  Also in the way back of the shop (not pictured) there are all types of zippers, trims, lace, cording, pipping, and elastic.  They also stock feathers and sequence and leather.  

The shop is located on South 4th St.  Just a few store fronts past Fitzwater St.  The hours are not posted in the store, but they are open everyday except Sundays to my knowledge and close around 5:30 on most days.  This is vague and not too helpful, but every time I have made a trip to this shop it has been open.  If you are looking for fabric I say stop here first.  

Sewing the Steffi Jacket: Muslin and fabric Choices

Burda Style

I am in love with this jacket and have been for about a year.  I even bought the pattern and the fabric to make the muslin, but after Simon and I got married I was sewn out after making three dresses two ties and a bunch of other crafty bits the idea of sewing a tailored jacket with buttons and a lining seemed a bit daunting.  But with the weather cooling down and my desire to make clothes instead of buying them I pulled the pattern out of storage and the muslin fabric and I am going to do it I am going to sew this jacket. 

Here it goes, the pattern all laid out ready to cut the fabric for the muslin.  I am a bit of a fearless sewer (and Knitter) and I usually jump in with both feet, but I want to make sure I know how this pattern is sewn and how it fits before I cut the wool and silk for the real one.  I have expensive tastes and I don't want to f-up really good fabric.  It's not like yarn where I can frog it if I don't like it or if it doesn't fit. 

All the muslin pieces waiting to be sewn my poor little tomato is empty of all its pins. This will be today's project, start sewing the muslin together.

Before work I went to the fabric store yesterday, I had some Brithday money from my mom and decided that it was going toward my fabric. 

My original thought was to make it out of navy wool, but after seeing this forest green I hemmed and hawed about it for a few minuets. 

I finally decided to go with my original plan and make it in navy.  There was even this great lavender gray silk on sale that I got for the lining.  I do really love the green and if this goes well maybe I'll make a second in green. 

Fabric Finds

I love my fabric shop, mostly because it's like searching for buried treasure. It is filled to the brim with all types of fabrics and the are constantly getting new stuff in. Because of this they have a huge dollar bin where you can sometimes find a yard of a hidden gem like the 60" wool cotton blend denim I found one day. (There is enough for me to make a pair of trouser jeans for the fall!) They also have barrels of fabric for $1.98 a yard, which yes has a bunch of crap in it, but also has a few bits of fabric gold it you just take the time to look and touch.

I usually make a trip here at least once a week, mostly because I need buttons (they have a whole wall of buttons) or elastic or trim or thread. Mostly I can manage to not over spend, but when they are having a $3.98 silk sale how can you pass up looking to see if there are any treasures up for grabs.

This is what happened a few weeks ago when I went in to buy elastic and I left with three and a half yards of fabric and elastic. The romper and the sundress i recently made were all fabric from that trip (the romper was in the $1.00 bin and the dress fabric was from the cotton prints section and was $4.25 a yard). But like I was describing above the shop was having a $3.98 silk sale and in the bin along with some upholstery silk and some taffeta in a horrid taupe color was this:
The photo doesn't do it justice, but I found 100% duponi silk in a beautiful navy blue and bronze. I immediatly snatched the bolt up and bolted for the cutting counter. I bought two yards, enough for something although I'm not sure what. I couldn't believe i just bought two yards of duponi silk for under ten dollars where everywhere I have seen it it's been $18 or more per yard. It's tucked away in my stash waiting for the perfect project.

This is not the end of my fabric finds. I had an unexpected day off from work on Monday and went to the fabric shop, just to look, (yeah right). They had all new 100% cotton jersey in in some wonderful summer colors. I had to have the turquoise, I also found some cotton print and a very special find in the $1.98 bin.

From the top down:
The cotton print, floral, of course! It has an interesting color combination of greens, red, orange and lavender.
Turquoise cotton jersey.
Cotton silk blend in an interesting color, the above picture does it no justice, its a deep forest green. It is 60" and was in the $1.98 bin. I wasn't exactly sure what it's fiber content was. I figured cotton and rayon. When I asked the woman cutting the fabric she said it was defiantly a cotton silk blend. I bought a yard, but I'm thinking of going back and buying some more. I want to make wide leg pants out of some of it, and I might get a yard or two for a dress or at least my stash.

I have already started a casual dress from the cotton print.

Here's a close up of the print.

I still haven't decided what the cotton jersey is going to be. I'm thinking a dress. After this I need to start thinking about what I am going to need for the fall.

Weekend Update or Day 3-5 of Me-Made-June '11

I had a very prolific week I finished two graments and went to a music festival and saw a sheep shearing demo. I was a irresponsible blogger and left my camera at home so sadly I have no pics of the sheep shearing or the music festival.

Firstly I made a romper with pockets! My first attempt at pockets and the were supper easy and came out great!
I used some scrap from another project to make the pockets.

I think the trickiest part of sewing the pockets was figuring which way the right side of the fabric needed to get pinned to. Once I pinned them wrong once I figured it out.
I loved this fabric. It was in the dollar bin at the fabric shop I frequent and I just had to have it. It was a little over a yard, cotton and has this neat leaf motif.

This past week I also made a sun dress. Which is one of the gaps in my me made wardrobe. I found the fabric at the same fabric shop and only got a yard thinking that I could at least make a top, or another romper. Well, after I made the romper I laid out my other fabric and decided on a dress. Three days later and after much fighting with some elastic and a ruffle I have a dress!
It took one yard to make this dress and it isn't even scandalous. I was a bit worried that my decision to make a dress would end with it being way too short to be worn out of the house, but it is a great length. I can't wait to wear it.

So know we come to my me made outfits for the week end.

Day 3

Top: Altered silk, cotton, linen blend dress shirt. (It use to be long sleeved and a lot larger!)
Belt: From a shop in Australia
Bottoms: Olive brown shorts, thrifted.

Day 4
Festival Day!

What I wore: My new romper!!! Oh, and my straw fedora.

Day 5
(The day I rolled out of bed at 5:50am to go to work)

When one has to get up at 5:50am and be to work at 6:30am, one does not really worry too much about what they are wearing. But I did manage to still follow my pledge to MMJune '11.
Top: teal cotton, rayon blend knit jersey. This material is my new bestie. This top was made from a failed dress attempt.
Bottoms: my olive brown shorts.

Today is an unexpected day off from work, and I am planning on a trip to the fabric store to pillage the dollar bin and maybe start some pants and defiantly another sun dress.

Weekend Update: Surfing and Such

We had our first surf on the Jersey shore yesterday and it was a good one! I should have brought my camera, because the waves were about knee to chest height and spilling. (A spilling wave is my favorite kind of wave.) I got to try my new board and well I love it! It was a good thing we went yesterday, the weather here in Philly has turned cold, cloudy and rainy. Just a good excuse to get knitting!

This week is going to be a busy one. I have to work on my design, and sew a dress or something to wear to a party on Saturday. Here are some of my fabric choices from my stash. I love them all, but am having a hard time trying to decide.

I also have different amounts of each of these, so I can't just pick one dress or design and then pick a fabric. Each fabric choice would need a different project.

This was my newest addition to my fabric stash, that I like being about to say is grown, but not out of hand just yet. I'm tempted to go back and buy more yardage I love this print so much. It's fiber content is 100% cotton, but this fabric has a nice drape and body without being too stiff.

I also finished my sweater and actually wore it out the other day. I will have to get a picture of me next time I wear it. I swear it has buttons on it. The sleeves need a bit of elastic in the cuffs, but that's an easy fix.

Sewing Update

I have had a yard of this in my fabric stash for ages now and I finally decided to do something with it. I am very proud of myself for making a simple pattern based off one of the tops in my closet.

Here it is all pinned down and ready to cut out.

Here is the back pieces ready for seaming.

I did run into one tiny problem, actually it wasn't tiny it was pretty big problem. I was not paying attention and based my pattern off a top that is sewn out of a stretch fabric. I added seam allowances and was very pleased with my self. I then proceeded to use my pattern on woven cotton which has no give. Once it was all sewn up I went to put it on and i couldn't get it over my boobs. This is when I realized my huge mistake. (Sadly being stuck in my top I was unable to take a pic of me in such a hilarious situation, Simon was not home to help either.)

I have solved this. It took some measuring, some seam ripping and a tiny bit of guess work, but I was able to sew some panels into the side seams. (Yay my boobs fit in it now!)
I saved my new cotton top. Now I just have to finish the edges. I'm thinking red bias tape.

Weekly Plans

I have been super busy these past three days. Well Saturday and Sunday were spent working and Monday was kind of a day off. I went to brunch with Antea and then we went pattern and fabric shopping. I bought some great sersucker to make a dress with, and I also bought some sale fabric to sew more linings with. I'll take some pics when I have more time. Then when we got back from Jersey I had to go to work in Old City, a light focus which took half the time we were alloted for it and we had 6 people at the call a bit over kill, but I still get paid.

It looks like I will be designing a show this month. I'm excited, but a little worried as I have no idea what is going on and they want to tech on the 16th. I will have to work fast on this one, but it should be a fun show to do. Who doesn't love Footlose.

The weather has been crappy all weekend and looks like it will be that way all week. I really need to get out and take some photos of my new stuff. I can whip out this new bag design in about an hour or two it's pretty awesome. I plan to be sewing more this week. Tomorrow looks goo for sewing and it's not suppose to rain till later, so maybe a photo or two.

My goals for my etsy shop this week are:
*to sew at least one more bag
*take photos
*list at least one new item

All while working my day job, designing a musical, and starting a major spring clean in the apartment.

Rainy Day

It rain most of today, but I did get to the Fabric store I love. Spool is this great fabric store in Philly. They have a great selection of cotton prints and a beautiful work room with great sewing machines in the back. This is where I went to sew before I got my machine. I always find something that I want when I'm there.

Right Next door to Spool is Loop it's sister store. Loop is a lovely yarn store with beautiful silks and wools. I couls spend hours and a whole months paycheck in there.

I only went to spool today and wanted to buy everything, but I only went to find some fabric to line a bag I'm working on for me. I found this great print of pink lotus blossoms and green leaves, it's Amy Butler, her stuff is amazing.

I've listed new Bags in my etsy store take a peek.

Fabric!

I got up to the fabric store today and look what I got!

I also got a package today filled with all my bamboo yarn I orderd. Now all I have to do is save some of my money to get the banana silk I need and then I'll have all my supplise for my spring/summer items. Yippy!

L'Aube

I have gotten my sewing machine and couldn't be happier. All I want to do now is sew! I went up to my favorite fabric store today to get my supplise I needed for my spring items, and it was closed. There website says that they are opened 7 days a week, so I was very sad and a little cold having walked 10 blocks to get there.

My friend Antea and I went together, and on our way there we stopped at a new french cafe called L'Aube. It is really cute and has organic fair trade coffee at great prices. It's located on 15th and South St. It has a great atmosphere and the owner is super friendly. They also have crepes, one of my faves as well as ones filled with neuttella, my super fav. If you are in the area deffinatly hit up that spot.

Well I am off to sew for a bit!

TaDa!

TaDa! Finished, or almost finished bag! I took these yesterday before I went to Spool to finish them. What do you think? I really love this fabric. I'm going to use the other colors of it too.


This one is a little softer and more femme, but I love the colors and the illustrations.


Both bags are the same size and are squared on the bottom. I must admitt I was really excited when i figured out how to do that with out sewing a gusset down the side. Only haveing to sew two three inch seams is much better than sewing six extra.

Batteries

I finally got new batteries for my camera, actually Simon got me new batteries for my camera, but that means I was able to take some pics of my spring stuff.

Here is the fabric I choose. It's is so perfect. I love it .

They both come in other colors, so I might get some in the fushia and the orange, both will match the bamboo and the banana silk I plan to use.

Today is my day off and I must try to make it a productive one.

Day Off!

Tomorrow is a my first day off in seven days! I can't wait. I have a huge todo list, or a fun stuff list. First thing first I'm going to breakfast with a few friends to one of my favorite places in Philly, which is Morning Glory. I might have pancakes, or a breakfast sandwich, or a fritata, I think i need to go find a snack.

Then after breakfast it's of to Spool up on 19th and South st. My fabric deadline for the spring is coming up fast and I need to go look at some fabric and get some ideas, and maybe buy some.

After that i have a few random things todo, along with a production meeting at 5:30pm for the show I'm designing. It's going to be a day full of fun things for me to get done. I love my day off, I wish I had more of them.