not quite enough

As you may know, vintage fabrics are my first love.

But I do occasionally find my head turned by brand new pretty fabrics (especially cheap ones.)

Which was exactly what happened when I was in Australia, on a trip to Spotlight.

I found myself overcome by cheap fabric beguilement. And I bought a few yards of the nicest of Spotlight’s stock, without any specific plans for it.

Recently I have been attempting to master rudimentary dressmaking. And failing, on the frock front at least. My most recent frock project has proven a problem too far. It resides in the “rethink at a future date” pile for now. I have not quite enough enthusiasm to keep going at it.

So I am in need of a new project…

But what to do when both funds and confidence are lacking?

Answer: revisit the Spotlight stash – and the A line skirt pattern that I managed to succeed with at first attempt.

But unfortunately, having no project in mind whilst fabric-buying has created another problem. Not only am I short of confidence, I’m also short of fabric.

I know that might sound ridiculous when I have a cabinet full of the stuff!

What I mean is, there’s just not quite enough of the one I want to use.

Because upside-down apples wouldn’t be any good, would they?

Bah.

The situation calls for some creative thinking and pattern adjustment…

My cunning plan is to add a band of contrast fabric at the hem to cover the shortfall (and a tad more of my legs).

So out comes another bit of Spotlight goodness, for it’s moment in the… well… spotlight!

I’ve drafted the required extra pattern pieces myself. But I’ve decided to run them past my dressmaking guru in class next week, before chopping into the bit of fabric I do have.

Not just because I’ve not quite enough confidence to go it alone.

But also because I’m not quite daft enough to risk wasting any more of my precious stash, vintage or new!

fabric field day

Sometimes things take a long time to come to fruition. You set your heart on something, and you know it may never come to you.

You wonder – can you justify the money? And regretfully you tell yourself, no, you can’t.

Such it was with my newest fabric buy.

I saw it and fell in love instantly. But it was hideously expensive. So I told myself it wasn’t for me. But I couldn’t quite forget it.

I snuck back for another peek at it every so often, just to torture myself with unfulfilled longing.

And then, wonder of wonders, the price got reduced – by quite a lot! And before I could talk myself out of it, I pounced!

Isn’t it lovely?

And then, I had the opposite experience. I wasn’t really looking to buy anything, just browsing, as you do.

And I spotted an utter bargain…

I had seen – and admired – this fabric before in other people’s stashes.

And now I have lots of it! And it’s in beautiful condition.

I got all inspired and made this:

I’m afraid I just had to call her Ginger.

And, despite the fact that I was tempted just to squirrel the other one away and not let anyone else have any of that fabric ever, I also made this:

Because, as Rachel replied when she gave me my birthday fabrics and I said “you shouldn’t have”, it’s good to share.

And somewhere deep inside I agree; fabrics need to be used, and seen, and loved, and shared.

So that other people can have their fabric field day, too. ♥

my cup runneth over

Saturday, and my trip to the Selvedge Spring Fair, turned out to be a day of ups and downs.

The ups were very up. The downs, which came right at the start, were pretty darn down.

First of all, like a numpty, I missed my train to London.

I misread the ticket. Or rather,  I looked at the wrong bit of paper from a stack of ticket-resembling bits of paper, some of which were only impersonating tickets and were actually just bits of ticket-shaped paper.

Anyway, suddenly I realised I should’ve been at the station an hour ago.

My partner, lovely man that he is, shushed my wailing, gave me a hug and said that tickets could be replaced and of course I should still go, without even rolling his eyes or tutting once. And then he risked life and sanity to drive me through a full-on blizzard to the station.

I don’t deserve him, I really don’t.

I didn’t get to meet Holly Becker (of Decor8) at the event as, alas, she couldn’t make it after all. Which was somewhat disappointing.

But the Selvedge Spring Fair itself was a thing of wonder. Or rather, wonders. Plural.

First of all the venue, Chelsea Town Hall on the Kings Road, is amazing:

And then there was the stuff on offer…

I have far too many photos of nice things to cram into one post. So this is just a taster. Click on the pictures to find out more.

There were the antique textiles from all over the world. This piece may not look it, but it is old, and it is English:

How contemporary does it look?!

There were also beautiful kantha quilts from India…

Felt and embroidered world textiles from Amsterdam-based emporium Shirdak…

Not to mention Japanese kimono fabrics, Eastern European garments and lovely old linens.

Then there were the art textiles, like these by Sophie Digard:

And the crafty makes… so original! So beautifully displayed!

Like Miwary‘s wonderfully eccentric selection of “chaotic cottage chic”.

I think it’s safe to say that tiny golden bunnies, severed finger brooches and fabric tea-party accessories (which can also be worn as fascinators) are not ten-a-penny on your average high street.

That’s one of her cute fabric teacups pictured at the top of the page.

She also makes wearable pets, teeny tiny pairs of boots and fabric teapots to match the cups, which can be ordered via her Etsy shop.

I can’t tell you how inspiring, how uplifting I found it all. So much talent on display!

I hope that you agree…

Not least because I have lots more from Selvedge still to share with you.

And then there’s what I got up to on Sunday…

pretend patchwork paradise

Guess what? I bought another “frock for a fiver” from the Baklash bargain basement.

Whoops! I only went into town for some practical shopping.

I tried to stay away, really I did, but I had to walk right past the door to get to The Bead Shop, where I buy my jewellery-making bits and bobs.

So the situation was hopeless from the start really.

And yes, I also have to admit, somewhat shame-facedly, that it is made from those man-made fibres again…

But look! Look! It’s pretend patchwork! 

Once that fact has been fully absorbed, the question is how could I not buy it?!

Never mind the stain on the front. Or the few little pulled threads here and there. Or the fact that it could probably do with altering – and washing – before I can wear it.

These things are immaterial when you’re lost in pretend patchwork paradise.

stamp on it!

One day, in the not too distant future, I would like to print my own fabric.

I got all inspired by this idea again when I saw these…

These beautiful Indian wooden stamps are from Etsy shop ta ta. They are fairly traded and hand made by three stamp makers in India.

The shop owner, photographer Amanda James, chose these particular makers because they are well known in the artisan community and are the best of the best.

I think the photographs speak for themselves on that score.

Things of beauty in their own right, perfect to display on a shelf or mantlepiece or give as a gift, I love that they can also be used to produce beautiful prints.

There are lots of designs to choose from, not only the florals I have picked out (as is my wont!).

I might have to invest for a future project…

fun with a frock

Yesterday I walked back from sewing class in a blizzard. That’s how keen I am to get my current dressmaking project done.

I love this stage of construction, where you first start to see how all those jigsaw pieces of fabric come together to make the garment. It’s so exciting!

It’s a little bit like constructing Ikea furniture…

Except no screwdrivers are involved, I can do it on my own, if any bits are missing it’s down to me – and the results are obviously way, way better!

But it’s more than a little nerve-wracking…

Will it fit me? Will the pattern match? Will I like it? Will I look like I’m wearing a tablecloth? Will I care?

Even before the sleeves are in, I love the way the bodice is coming together…

My sewing tutor said it reminds her of a 1950′s swimsuit!

I just hope it isn’t too low-cut when it’s done, or I’ll be investing in a vest.

Next question is: to trim or not to trim. Would contrast trim look better? Would any trim at all just be too much?

Decisions, decisions… they’re all part of the fun when you’re fabricating a frock.

And so far, I absolutely love it!