Love me some fabric!

This past Saturday, my mom and I went to LA for a fabric shopping trip.  Both of us went there in search of coating fabric and jersey knits.  First on our stop was Mood Fabrics.

I had never been to Mood before, so as you can imagine I was both excited and nervous - excited to see the fabrics that I've coveted since watching Project Runway, but nervous that possibly Tim Gunn would be there and question all of my fabric choices.  "Jamie, I just don't think that fabric compliments your signature look."  Or, "What were you thinking when you grabbed that atrocious fabric?"  "I just, I just have a hard time seeing your vision."  Oh how the mind can wonder.  Thankfully, Tim Gunn doesn't hang out at Mood Fabrics, so that wasn't a problem.  As a matter of fact, I shouldn't have been nervous at all, because the Mood sales staff were extremely helpful and kind.  

The store is well organized with signs above each fabric section identifying what type of fabric it was.  And yes they do have everything from lace and leather to woolens and every type of silk you can think of.  Their price point was consistently higher, which is what I expected, but the quality of the fabrics is exceptional.

Searching out fabric is made easy since swatches hang from the end of the rolls.  You can also request swatches to take home.  I believe you are allowed up to 12 swatches and any more than that will cost a 1/4 yards worth.

I purchased 2 jersey knits.  Both fabrics were $14.00 a yard.

I actually like the wrong side of this fabric better.

How dang cute is this heart fabric?!  I purchased it for my daughter, buuuuut I may have to keep some for myself.

I did find some great coat fabrics (wool); however, the fabrics I was interested in were at least $30.00/yd and I needed 3 yards.  I just couldn't pull the trigger on that.  I may go back... I'll think about it.

After we forced ourselves to leave Mood, we headed to the garment district (now called the fashion district).  I've been to the garment district twice before, but this time I came prepared.  I found a great shopping guide for the garment district on Patternreview.com.  Here is the link.  I mapped out where we wanted to go according to the pattern review guide.  This helped eliminate the overwhelming feeling one can get when visiting the plethora of options within the district.  Basically, if a shop wasn't on my list to visit then we didn't go in.  Plus, I knew what to look for in the shops that I did visit.

At Michael Levine I purchased 2 striped jersey knits...

and a striped sweater knit...

All 3 fabrics were $3.00/yd, but with a seller's permit you get an additional 20% off.  So, if you go to the garment district be sure to bring your seller's permit (if you have one).

I can't remember where I purchased the next fabrics, but I can remember the price...

cotton woven fabrics $1.75/yd

jersey knits $1.00/yd

knit 3yards for $5.00

There is definitely a difference in quality between the Mood fabrics and the $1.00 fabrics, but my thinking is that I will use the $1.00 fabrics for "play fabric" and the Mood fabrics for the real deal stuff.

At the end of the day we stopped at Starbucks, which is conveniently located in the district.

My mom!  

She was funny to shop with.  There was no way I could haggle with any of the shop owners, because every time we walked into a shop she would say, "Oh wow, I can't believe the prices!  All of the fabrics are so beautiful."  She was cute and the prices really were great.

Cheers,

Jamie

  

New fabric and Anna Maria Horner fabric sale

Before I jump into the fabric news, I need Maddy Maze Studio to email me at apronstreet@yahoo.com to collect your Sunny Day sewing pattern prize.  Thank you =)

New fabric at Phat Fabric...

Echino Bike

Nani Iro - Fuwari

This is the fabric I used for the modified Sunny Day Top.

AND 30% off Anna Maria Horner Voile fabric (link).  Ooh la la!

Jamie

New Little Folks fabric and more...

It's like butter! The new voile fabric by Anna Maria Horner is lovely indeed. To be quite honest, I'm not that familiar with voile fabric. However judging by the drape of the fabric, it is going to be wonderful to sew with. I already have a project in mind for the fabric. You can click here to view the fabrics. There are a couple of voile solids too!

Another new addition to the Phat Fabric family is Paintbrush Studio.

Above is a 36 pc fat quarter bundle. All of the fabrics are 1920's - 1930's reproduction prints on 100% cotton fabric. The prints were reproduced from an antique quilt. Click here to view the Paintbrush Studio fabrics.

Lastly, there are two new Mingle fabrics in stock by Monaluna.

Tangerine

and Aqua.
A taste of Spring colors to keep us warm and motivated =)

That concludes today's fabric update. I should have another fabric update any day now for Sandi Henderson's new line. So stay tuned!

Cheers,

Jamie

Paula Prass Fabric Sale

As the new fabrics begin to trickle into Phat Fabric, it's time to make way by having a sale. Until October 31st, Phat Fabric is having a 25% off Paula Prass Summer Soiree fabric sale (click here).

Now that's how a Monday should start!

Cheers,

Jamie

HELLO brand new fabric!

I have some new fabrics to share with you all. The above fabric, appropriately named Hello, is from Alexander Henry fabrics. I've always been drawn to text fabrics and this one seems especially inviting.
Also part of the Alexander Henry family are...

Luca & Lorenza. This combo would make a great apron.
Happy colors = happy thoughts =)

Oh but wait! How about some home decor weight fabrics?...

Mocca

It's A Hoot in brown and...

Black & White.
I'm trying to convince my husband that a couch reupholstered in black and white owl fabric is a good idea. Never mind the fact that we have 3 messy little shoog boogs. I say, "Live a little dangerously!"

Continuing with the new fabric, Robert Kaufman has some lovely owl Cool Cords fabric...

White and Blue Jay.

Espresso is part of the Cool Cords collection as well. This fabric is next on my list to use for a Bibury Capelet.

Lastly, and something different for Phat Fabric, are two new eco friendly Panda fabrics. One of the fabrics is a Panda Knit 180GM, which means it is 95% rayon made from bamboo and 5% from spandex. The other fabric is a white poplin fabric, also made from cotton and bamboo. Both fabrics are very soft. Here are the links to the Panda Knit 180GM and the white poplin.

All of the fabrics are available at Phatfabric.com (click here for the link)

Now I must test all of the fabrics. You know, to make sure they sew properly ;)
Enjoy your weekend!

Jamie

Pop Garden Fabric

Well, well, well, what do we have here? Some very happy fabric for the fabric store! It's called Pop Garden, if you didn't already know, and it's by Heather Bailey. It has that color combo that I'm such a sucker for - red, blue, and yellow. I think I'm going to have to make a table cloth or a table runner out of it. It doesn't really go with my house, but then again nothing really flows in terms of theme in my house. I'm forever going in and out of phases, and my budget doesn't really allow me to completely redecorate every 3 to 6 months. Instead, I just put it together and hope no one notices that I have a beach theme living room with bright modern art in the dining room and handmade country looking stuff mixed with a little Greek art in the family room. I once read somewhere, and I'm paraphrasing, "never pass up a great find purely on the basis that it doesn't go with the house. If you like it you like it." I've held on to that.

Jamie

Hooray for Fridays

Ah - yes, the weekend is here. It's time to stop, relax, and smell the flowers. Who knows, possibly you'll make a new friend or two?

or not.... no pressure.

I don't have any big plans this weekend. I'm already in chill mode. I'll probably sew a little. I have some new Anna Maria Horner fabric, as well as Alexander Henry and Echino fabric. It's hard to resist doing a little work over the weekend with such beautiful fabric beckoning me to give it some attention.

I did finish my sun-dress. Now, I am completely satisfied with the design. I made some modifications to the bottom portion (skirt) of the dress. I'll write more about it on Monday when I can show you pics of it.

Here is another peek of the pretty yellow ditty....

I hope you have a peaceful and relaxing weekend.

Jamie

Christmas...in June????

Would it be wrong to make a Christmas apron in June, or should I wait until July? I just got this fabric in my fabric store and I LOVE IT! It may seem strange to make an apron now, especially because it has been over 100 degrees for the past week. I've always been that person that grumbles under their breath when they see early Christmas decorations in department stores. "Already! Can't they wait until after Halloween?" Yet, here I find myself considering making a Christmas apron. It's not my fault it's Alexander Henry's fault for releasing the fabric soo early. Seriously, how can I resist with fabric as cute as this (that rhymed...it must be all this Christmas talk). I'm thinking black tulle would look dope with the black fabric, and some of that white furry stuff would look HOT along the bottom of a Lola apron with the red fabric. I'm not sure if the furry stuff is washable? The last thing a person needs is an apron that needs to dry cleaned! We'll see.

Speaking of fabric, guess who else has a new fabric store? ......... My mom! She has just opened an online ebay store that specializes in children's fabric. So far, she has Michael Miller, Alexander Henry, Marcus Brother, and my favorite Kokka fabrics (Japanese fabric). My mind is fluttering with all sorts of apron idea's with her fabric. You can check out her store Lil Urchin Fabric's here.

Off I go to work on my dress. This would be attempt #2 and I hope it will be worthy enough to show you on Friday.

Jamie