Mini Fabric Haul

I have a real struggle with the whole post Christmas post new year thing, Its not that I feel sad I just have no motivation. I kind of juts want to sit in my jammies and binge watch tv series whilst eating chocolates [FYI I've just finished lost and now feel like there's a hole in my soul that no T.V series will ever fill]  

To be honest I've just been letting it run it course, yes I have no motivation to do actual things but I've read two new books that Rikki brought me and I finally bit the bullet and tried crochet again! [But more on that another day] 

Anyway I decided that my fabrics just weren't inspiring me so I went fabric shopping! Now FYI I'm calling this a mini one because I spent less than £50 and it didn't take me all day! I was given money by my mum to go fabric shopping which will be a bigger haul! But this one was to perk me up and give me something to sew up whilst I wait out the last of winter! 

I should probably say this haul comes courtesy or Rikkis Grandad Ron and our friend Steve! 

Anyway I went to abakhans on Friday after dropping lil man off at school, which meant I was completely alone! I took a list and was very vigilant with how much everything was going to cost me! Especially seen as I wouldn't have my mum to pick up any short fall and I only have my Christmas cash on me! Needless to say the staff as always were very helpful! [I feel like I'm rambling.... I'm terrible at writing posts where I've actually spent money after two years of being on a VERY tight budget!] So onto the fabrics!

2.5m of red stretch velvet - £8.40

I'm going to use this to make another GBSB wrap dress because how lush wold a velvet one be? Incidentally lil man helped me pull this out of the dryer after prewashing and I struggled to get it off him, he was all wrapped up in a swath of warm fuzzyness! ADORABLE! but seriously kid get your dirty mitts off my fabric!!! 

Feather/Leaves Poly knit - £4.03 

this was from one of the bins, I'm thinking of using this for some colour blocked raglans! [I have a pattern which is very similar to the Linden sweater but that I was given for free and came from prima magazine! I think its designed for a thinner knit but I think if I cut a size bigger I'll be fine!] 

Red Stripe - 2.5m £3 something per metre

I had this off the roll and now I have no idea if its a polycotton or a cotton. But I did spend ages debeating between the black and the red, The red won because I'm trying to inject some more colour into my wardrobe this year! I'm going to use this the make a [hopefully] wearable toile of a vintage pattern. From what I can remember the bodice has some interesting darts which is why I chose a stripe? That or I'll look like a cheaper version of bananas in pyjamas!

Tie Dye print - some sort of poly thing - £7.33? 

This also came from bin and is destined to be a simple sew wrap dress. I thought it was worth making another because I've had so much wear from the first [as yet unblogged I'll get on that soon!] and its just so versatile! 

Poly Knit Stripe - £7.19 

From one of the cages and destined to be a Coco dress and by destined I mean I cut one out when I go home and I'm wearing it now.......... [Its awesome!]

Tape measure cotton - 2m - £5.94 p metre [I think I got it cheaper because it was on sale!]

I've been eyeing up this print for ever! I mean I love sewing and its got tape measures on it! Could it be more perfect?  Naturally I'm going to make a Lilou dress [Yes I know you think I'm boring but I have a lilou obsession and I am not ashamed!!!!]

Jewel print - poly peachskin?- 3m - £0.75p per metre! [yes your reading that right!!!]

Okay so I'm torn between whether this is the most fabulous fabric I've ever seen or really tacky! but I can't argue with 75p a metre so it came home with me! I think its going to be a long summer dress maybe? If it doesn't look ridiculous!

And thats it!

Wish me happy sewing and lots of motivation!

Frankie 

Latest Fabricgasms

Okay so it dawned on me that its been a long time since my last Fabricgasms post!

And seen as the weathers been pretty grotty I decided to theme this one around summer!!!!!

Apart from this one! Plain black babylon stretch liquid velvet dress fabric! 

How perfect would this be for a coco dress!!! I mean a velvet coco dress, I might die!

London underground Poly cotton print! 

This is all of the adorable, I have very found memories of travelling around London on the tube with my Mum so a dress in this print would be pretty fabulous!!! 

Tape Measure cotton poplin

It has tape measures on nuff said. I especially like the pink colourway.

Psychedelic Skulls cotton poplin

This has rainbows and skulls and flowers and its pinks. It might be the best print in the world. EVER!!! 

Tiny Bows Poly cotton

These are little tiny bows, its literally the most adorably twee print I've ever seen! It would make the cutest full skirt!

Stars print polycotton

Yet another awesome print, can you imagine strutting around in a star print dress? this comes in 19 colour ways! And I love about 80% of them!

Sewing Machine cotton poplin

It has sewing machines in it....... Do i really need to say anymore?

Floral border print stretch cotton sateen

I think I might have fallen in love with border prints, I love the cutting challenge and this one gives me all the vintage vibes!!!

Hand Printed Floral Batik Cotton

I love the hippy style this has and I just think the Batik looks so pretty! This comes in a few colourways but I think this one might be my favourite!

Bright Floral cotton poplin

This reminds me of some of the beautiful prints that high street fashion brands use. I love the 90's style and the colours are just AWESOME!

So that's my latest fabricgasms! What fabrics are you loving at the moment!!!

Much Love

Frankie

xx

10 Tips for Easy Fabric Shopping

We've all been there, stood in a fabric shop, money clasped in our sweaty palms, thinking "I MUST BUY ALL THE FABRICS!" and feeling completely overwhelmed.

So heres my comprehensive guide to making sure you walk away with things you'll love and use!

1 = Take a list. I find its a good idea to have a pattern stash peruse, see what you'd like to make and come up with a list of fabrics to buy and the quantities. Then when your fabric shopping. feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you actually need 4 metres of cat print Spandex. you can calm yourself down and get something you actually need.

 2= Abandon the list. [I know I'm a contradictory little devil aren't I?] Sometimes you have to stop looking at the list and just start looking for fun things! See if you can think of something to make from them and if you can't just get 2/3 metres and put it away for a rainy day. You never know the next pattern you buy might be perfect for that fabric.

3 = Check out the bargain bins. There are some real gems in there. Just remember to take a good look for fabric flaws and discolouration.

4 = Do a colour test. Fabric shopping is just like clothes shopping. Some things just won't suit your skin tone! I suggest taking a mirror so you can see if they wash you out or taking numerous selfies on your phone.  

5 = Ask if your not sure. Fabric shop staff are usually hugely knowledgeable about the fabrics they stock and are option keen sewers themselves. Can't find something you want? ask. Not sure if the fabrics right for the pattern? ask! Remember there are no stupid questions!

6 = Keep a running total! and Check prices. Unless your a rockerfella of some kind then your going to have a budget of sorts in mind whether its large or small. Keeping an eye on prices and adding as you go can save embarrassment at the till! Nobody wants to have 3 metres of beautiful lace cut only to find its £200 per metre! and before anybody says that fabrics never that expensive! here's some!   

7 = Dress sensibly. Comfy shoes are a must ! But I also recommend an across the body handbag so you have both hands free for looking at fabric! And remember your bags for life!!!!! 

8 = Eat and Drink! staying hydrated is the key for any shopping trip, but remember not to eat or drink in store in case you spill or get crumbs everywhere! 

9 = take pictures of what you like. Someone once told me that when your online shopping you should delete everything you want from your basket before checkout and then re-add them. Then you end up with the things the REALLY want! I personally find it easier to take pictures though! that way you know which print to liked before you take it to get cut.

10 = Take a friend and have fun! Fabric shopping is the best fun in the entire world, why not share it with a friend, that way you can giggle over the naked men prints! They do exist! and they can help you carry bolts to the cutting tables , an extra pair of muscles goes a long way. 

  

What are your fabric shopping tips?

Much Love

Frankie 

xxx

Fabric Shopping Haul!

As I recently alluded in this post, I have been fabric shopping recently! So I thought I'd give you the skinny on what I brought and what projects I have in mind!

Stretch spandex - Over two metres? - £8.22

This is destined to become a wrap dress/jersey dress. I'm leaning towards wrap but their might be enough to do both, although is two similar dresses in the same print a faux par? 

Wool Check - 2m - I think around £10 in total? 

This is for a cape, although there seems to be a lot so I'm hoping to squeeze out a skirt as well. Hopefully. Although because I've never used this cape pattern before I'm going to make it up and the lining fabric first to check fit etc.

African Wax Print Cotton w/sparkly bits! Over a metre? - £3.50ish

I fell in love with this, hopefully I have enough for a dress but if not I'm thinking a skirt and crop top could be quite cute. [By the way, if anybody sees this fabric and worries about the sparkles washing off, they don't]

Daisy Print Cotton - 2m - I didn't write down a price for this woops!

This is going to be a.......Lilou, yeah I know your sick of it but I don't care! I wanna make a cute lilou!

Teal polyester lining - 1 metre? - under £3

Swirly Lace - I metre - around the £7 mark

This is going to become a Carrie Bradshawesque skirt, very full and ballerina like!

And I'm going to wear it to grown up events with some pumps and a glass of wine and feel very sophisticated and grown up. Then on the way home I'm going to ask Rikki to take me to McDonalds before I get hangry [ Hungry + Angry = Hangry] because really I'm a child......

Tartan - 1.5m? - £notaclue

Pencil skirt, to be worn with band tshirts, dark eye-liner and all the jewellery I own so I can feel like a little Vivienne Westwood.

I didn't buy this

I didn't buy this

Instead I brought this! 

Its some sort of drapey thing? 2m - £5.00 In total! this bad boy was on sale!

I have a dress in mind for this but mainly I wanted it because all of the little ladies faces look so unimpressed with just life. 

Poly Wool - £11.50

I have vague ideas of what this could be, But mainly I brought it because its the worlds most snuggly fabric ever! Its like hugging a teddy bear who's just had a bath and has blown dried its fur and it's sat there all warm and fluffy and cute.

So I'm thinking a cardigan or jumper and then I'm tempted to see if I can squeeze the worlds snuggest dress out of it, because omg the comfort! 

African Wax Cotton with sparkles - £3.11

No idea, a dress? or again some sort of sparkle crop top and skirt combo!

Gingham [large check] - 2m - £7? maybe? per metre?

A button front summer dress. Boom, done, wanted this fabric for a while! I much prefer a large check to a small one! 

Spandex Jacquard - £23.70 - 1.5m

My mum hates this but I was just drawn to it. I actually kept going back to see it!

I'm thinking either a box pleat skirt, or a shift dress but with a low scoop neckline. I think its beaut and surprisingly the first thing Rikki said when he saw it was "I like that one best" To be honest if I can I might try and squeeze both out!

and that's it!

I actually cannot wait to start sewing!

But they'll have to wait until I've finished the dress I'm making now. Which naturally is being the worlds biggest pain in the bum bum and needs the skirt and zip completely redoing! I'd have binned it but I LOVE the top sooooooo much!

Much Love

Frankie

xxx