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.

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: 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.