Well, it's that time of year again: the seasons are changing, and I've gone into major fabric-hoarding mode. May I take you on a little tour of my spring stash? Lemons, polka dots, and roses the size of my head await!Readers, behold:
Lemons! On a lovely semi-sheer silk/cotton blend! A couple weekends ago I was lucky enough to go fabric shopping with the absolutely lovely Sarai of Colette Patterns when she was in town. We stopped by Mood, and I immediately gravitated toward this print. I was wavering a bit, but then another lady tried to steal it right out of my hands! I knew I had a winner then, so I held on for dear life. Luckily there was enough to go around - lemons for everyone! I have five fabulous yards of this, and I'm thinking of a full-skirted frock like the short-sleeved version here:
This next pick is also a Mood acquisition.
Aren't the zigzags cool? Sarai bought this in red, and I ended up going back for the black version. It's also a lovely silk and cotton blend. I'm envisioning a flirty summer dress that will look awesome with pink or green shoes!Now this red rose beauty is a Liberty of London. Oh yes, my friends, it is. I have two and a half yards, and I'm thinking a classic shirtdress. What say you?
This aqua stretch pique is from Gorgeous Fabrics.
I think it desperately wants a little Emma Pillsbury action, in the form of a new pencil skirt. See here?
Now. Want to see an insane print?
WOW, eh? That flower takes up the whole of my scanner bed. It's a cotton sateen that I couldn't resist from B&J. I'm thinking a skirt, the simpler the better. Even gathers are a little much for this print, so it will probably just be a simple a-line. Perhaps some very subtle pleats or tucks. We'll see.As for what I'm making right now? Yes, I know I'm supposed to be working on my background dress muslin. But I had a FASHION EMERGENCY: I don't have a cute spring jacket! So I'm making McCall's 5525, View A:
Isn't there something very 60s about this pattern? I'm making it in a navy pique, with a polka dot lining. I'm going to do covered buttons, with the polka dot lining on the back (tutorial to come!).
So those are the highlights for now. (Yeah, there's more. I told you, I'm practically a hoarder.) How about you? Are you gathering your spring and summer fabrics?
I'm glad I'm not the only one who falls in love with things when I find out someone else wants them too! That rose fabric is beautiful, I really can't wait to see what you make with it. I always find it so hard to visualise potential garments when looking at rolls of fabric. Your blog is perfect for letting me see what fabric can turn into without the hardwork!
ReplyDeleteI am envious. I made a promise not to buy any fabric or clothing for 1 year. On the bright side I am using up my stash and dreaming of the day I can restock it. I do have loads of fabric that would still be sitting in the stash closet if not for my promise. My daughter is going to be a senior next year. I figure the money I save on fabric could maybe pay for college. Ha ha ha haaaaaa.
ReplyDeleteI love the rose print! It is so beautiful! So glad you got the lemons too, how rude of the lady to try and take it! I'm so looking forward to see these being made up.
ReplyDeleteI'm a total fabric hoarder! I have so much printed cotton in my stash for summer skirts and dresses. Though we're heading into Autumn/Winter over here and I'm realising that I don't have many appropriate fabrics in my stash! What's a girl to do? :P
i want that jacket! also, love the zigzags.
ReplyDeleteI love the rose fabric, it's beautiful. And thank you for the tips on buttonholes.
ReplyDeleteAhhh and I agree with Clare!
ReplyDeletelovely fabric choices - I love that massive floral! Sometimes I think I want to live in NYC purely for fabric shopping opportunities; other times i think I'm better off as far from temptation as humanly possible. look forward to seeing the jacket made up.
ReplyDeleteI'll take 5yrds of the red rose fabric please! I also have a spring coat emergency. I have that McCalls jacket and the Colette jacket. I just can't make up my mind. Can't wait to see your jacket.
ReplyDeleteLovely stuff. I made a top (Simplicity 2599) out of the blue version of the liberty rose fabric and I love it, a shirtdress (with a voluminous skirt) would be amazing.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a summer jacket pattern for a while and the McCalls fits the bill (and one of the views is a trenchcoat-type-thing which makes it a double bargain!
Can't wait to see what you do with the zigzag fabric. I can just about manage stripes but get scared off by the idea of having to match up the zigs (or are they zags)!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fabric choices. I love your Liberty rose print fabric. As a Londoner, I have a special fondness for the store and their fabrics and I love to see what people make from them. A classic shirtdress will be wonderful in that print!
ReplyDeleteI just wandered across your blog. You have a very fun style. Love your fabrics. Love the huge prints for skirts.
ReplyDeleteI have tons of fabrics right now and just must sew up some before I buy some more.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThey are all lovely, but THE ROSES! Oh my - that is just gorgeous! I'm so so jealous.
ReplyDeleteThis may be a silly question, but when looking at patterns I don't see any indication of the amount of ease in a garment.
ReplyDeleteAm I looking in the wrong place, or is it simply assumed I'll know? (I come from a knitting background, and float between two sizes depending on ease)
I bought that same coat pattern! Too funny :) it is very cute, and I also thought it had a vintage vibe. Love the fabrics!
ReplyDeleteOh, the Liberty roses! I love roses, I know you'll make something amazing with that.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what I want to make with my red zigzags now. I was intrigued when you said you thought it looked 1920s, and then when I saw the photo of the 2001 Sonia Rykiel dress I told you about, so I'm going to cross breed the two.
Now you must come to Portland!
What beautiful fabrics! I am looking forward to seeing them made up. Your "fashion emergency" made me smile. It's a great shape that should look good with dresses.
ReplyDeleteThe roses! The shirt dress is a great choice for it, classic.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have quite the collection of fabric as well. Sorting through it this weekend I was a bit overwhelemed by all that I had . . .and yet I buy more?! But being a teacher, I have the whole summer off to sew and can't wait to make a dent in my fabric supply.
Oh, yes. I've picked up a citrus print, a random flower print, two different strawberry prints (one is seersucker), a seersucker floral print... Right now, I'm on the lookout for a linen print that's suitable for a baby dress. I haven't found one that I've liked so far...
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm definitely hoarding...secretly though...and now I have a self-imposed moratorium until May. However, I have a rose/beige matellaise that your rose print has reminded me of...hmmm, I have to get that one out and look at it again!
ReplyDeleteI love those fabrics! and I am also so happy that it is YOU and not me who lives so temptingly close to the best new fabrics in the world. The roses are especially awesome.
ReplyDeletemelina bee
Beautiful! I look forward to seeing what you make with these fabrics.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous prints! The lemons will look fabulous in that dress. And that jacket is so cute I might have to try one myself!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I know the feeling. I think I just skipped over spring though...i've been hoarding fun print seersucker and other lightweight fabrics for summer dresses. lol.
ReplyDeleteThat lemon fabric is to die for! I'm going to keep an eye out for something similar.
Love the lemons! My stash is so big, every spring I can just "shop" it! I always find new surprises in there.
ReplyDeleteOh, fabric addiction...I would love to see one of those A&E Intervention episodes about that ("We are here to tell you we love you, but it is either the silk dupioni cross-dyes or us!")
ReplyDeleteLove the lemons; with summer sundresses a girl has carte blanche to wear any wild and whimsical print that crosses her fancy. We endure enough muted tones during the winter, we have earned our frolic-wear.
The rose print is amazing. Drool...
ReplyDeleteOh! You have touched on my favorite coat!!!
ReplyDeleteI made the full-view trench last fall in a white China Twill, just waiting for a chilly Spring! I lined it in a cotton print of an antique world map (browns) with brown buttons.
I eliminated a few things that I have always disliked about trenchcoats. 1. That weird piece of flap fabric that serves no purpose over the one shoulder/breast. 2. The back lined, button-down yoke. I didn't think I needed any more bulk than necessary. This has become the most "favorite thing" that I have ever made! (and took the longest...)
I went to Mood for the first time this year and came away with some awesome finds too...I really love your lemon print! Can't wait to see what it turns into...
ReplyDeleteOoooh I love the red roses - gorgeous! Agree with the classic shirtdress idea, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI'm also starting to get pumped about Spring fabrics, and working on a couple of floral projects myself. Now the weather just needs to get a little nicer... Look forward to seeing what your new finds turn into!
I wish I could! I'm hoarding vicariously through you and your magnificent selection of New York garment district shops. I'm on the same boat with Clare, I can't visualize garments just by looking at fabrics. Your blog is very helpful. I feel as though I'm tuning my fashion senses. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
1) I love that Liberty print, recognized it right away from past pining- so excited to see what you do with it!
ReplyDelete2) I have that exact pattern, only the 3/4-sleeve lady's dress on mine is red-- again, can't wait to see what you do with it!
3) Zigzags- perennial favorite- can't wait, etc!
4) Love the lemons!
Exciting spring roster!
I love the rose print. Just perfect for a dress :)
ReplyDeleteI am on a major De-Stash Quest this year so I have not purchased anything (yet.)
ReplyDeleteThe rose pattern you bought is very much like the fabric I used to make my wedding dress 4 years ago. We had a super casual gathering at our home, married on the front porch with a BBQ and Pot-luck feast after. My dress was Butterick's "Retro'57" 4513. Perfect for a July party.
Hi Gertie,
ReplyDeleteI've never noticed it before, but I DO always seem to purchase fabric when I know Spring is on its way. Isn't that funny? I guess it is because stores' Spring fabric prints and colors are my favorite and they are always well worth the winter wait.
I just bought a load of fabric from DenverFabrics.com for 50% off. It was a fantastic sale and because they made a mistake with my particular order, they gave me FREE SHIPPING. I love my fabric even more now! ;)
I love the yellow spring coat from McCalls that you have in mind. I can't wait to see how it turns out in navy! Best of luck!
Rebekah
http://www.artandneedlework.blogspot.com
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. My hoard is starting to take over. The availability of quality (or even a choice) of fabric is abysmal in South Australia so I've taken to Ebay. Although, I only buy vintage fabric this way. Some of it is sooo beautiful and/or unique that I can't bear to actually use it! I just look at it and stroke it and sigh.
ReplyDeletestunning fabrics. i especially love the second floral, it kinda reminds me of watercolors.
ReplyDeletei too find myself falling in love with big scale prints and colors, and i usually feel adventurous when i wear navy or grey instead of the usual black! i think i'm going to challenge myself to be bolder with colors, i'm tired of the blah.
thanks for being an inspiration!
Hey Gertie: Check out my most recent post on Ceil Chapman for an alternative idea for that Liberty of London rose print (it should be obvious which image on my post I'm referring to!)
ReplyDeletehttp://selfishseamstress.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/the-designer-i-want-to-be-today/
I think sweet, classic shirtdress is a nice option too, but I'm just saying-- you've got the fabric and the figure to go full wattage Marilyn-in-roses! Whatever you make, I'm sure it will be lovely :)
I love the fitted dresses you selected from the collection. The strapless will suit you beautifully, especially with the lovely floral fabric you posted recently. But those over-sized caftans and the rompers...what were they thinking?
ReplyDeleteAnd does the romper thing have snaps on the inner leg? It looks like toddler wear.
Love the fabric you have picked up. I am not really allowed to buy fabric having inherited all my mother's and grandmothers' fabric stashes. That along with what I had in my now defunct craft store will keep me for quite a few years. But I still want to buy! (dang husband and his wanting space in the garage!)
ReplyDeleteI like these fabric but the rose pattern is too good.
ReplyDelete