Sunday, May 16, 2010

Mail Call!

I've gotten several deliveries lately and thought y'all might like to see. It's mostly fabric. No, I do not need more fabric. But I LOVE it. I love interesting textures, fun prints, luxurious silks, fine wools. I also love a good bargain. So when I received an email from Fabricmart.com notifying me of their current 20% off sale, a perusal of their site was inevitable. It can't hurt to just look, right?

This first fabric is a cotton border print with textured circles that I became aware of thanks to Jessica. I tried to order it a month or two ago, but they ran out somewhere between when I paid and when they went to cut it. I was very disappointed and ended up canceling the other things that had been purchased at the same time. (I don't think the online order lady was too happy with me, but it's not my fault they didn't update their database.) Anyway, more of it became available, so it was the first on my list. I paid for 2 yards but received 2.5. It's 53" wide, and I know I want some sort of summer dress. This must have been a popular choice because it sold out in record speed. Aren't the colors just gorgeous?

On the left is an ivory stretch medium wale corduroy from Jones New York. I've wanted an ivory corduroy skirt for a few years now. I paid for 1 yard and received 1.5. They must have been in a super generous mood because all of my fabrics came with a lot of extra yardage. I'm planning to use Burda 6/2009/104, minus the front welt pockets and second row of decorative buttons.

On the right is a black silk chiffon dotted swiss that I'm planning to make using the Wenlan blouse design shown in the book Twinkle Sews which is available through BurdaStyle. When I first looked at this design 6 months ago, it was free. Too bad I didn't download it then because it's now costing $7.99. I love it, so I'm going to purchase it despite the cost hike. But darn it, that's a lot of money for something I have to print out and tape together!

This next cut is a large geometric graphic print rayon and silk burnout. These are not my typical colors, but something about it begged to be purchased. The black areas are sheer, and it has a wonderful silky feel and drape. I'm planning to use McCall's 5631 - view C with the tucks at the bottom. I'm thinking of leaving off the fabric tie belt since it's to be worn with the black Wenlen blouse above and that has a tie around the neck.

On the left is a funky polyester stretch woven with gold thread throughout. This will be a simple long sleeved dress - probably McCall's 5975 - with long sleeves and rounded plain neckline. Picture it with a matching fabric tie belt, chunky gold necklace, maroon tights and tall black boots. For winter, of course.

On the right is a white sweater knit that I'll either use for Simplicity 2603 view D or Vogue 8616 view C. Opinions?

That completes the order from Fabricmart and I should have stopped there. But of course I had to check out my other online fabric haunts, finding more good stuff at Fabric.com. You guys know you can always find online coupons for 20% off for Fabric.com, right? That coupled with free shipping on orders over $35 makes them a great deal in my book.

This pink and brown cotton madras fabric jumped out as a must buy. Gorgeous fabrics had a bunch of these madras prints a month or two ago. But I was feeling cheap at the time so I passed, and most have since sold out. This fabric was $6.98/yard, $5.58 after the discount. The color combo is super cute. I'm thinking a simple shift dress for summer with plenty left over to use for baby sister if it's still in style in a year or two.

Of course I have to get the free shipping so go looking for something else. They have a bunch of tropical wools in all different colors for $9.98/yard, $7.98 with the discount. Buying wool online can sometimes be a gamble because you can't feel it and sometimes it's super scratchy. These were both listed as 100% worsted wool, but they are very different drapes and weaves. The gray has more body and is a tighter weave. But seeing as I bought it for the Rebecca Taylor suit from Vogue 1169, it'll be perfect. The red is much more fluid and has a looser weave. That was purchased for Burda 4-2010-125, minus the back bow, which it will be perfect for as well. I am 9 for 9 with all of these fabrics, and could not be more thrilled with them.

Okay, that's enough of that. Waiting for me when I got back from Disney were two pairs of boots that were recently purchased from Amazon.com. I wear boots all winter but only have had the choice of black or brown in past years. How boring. This year I was determined to get some more color in my footwear, so put several pairs of bright boots in a shoe wishlist and waited for the spring sales. These two came down to a price my cheap self could live with. Plus I put the entire vacation on my Amazon.com Visa for which I accrue Amazon gift certificates. So that made them even less expensive. Did I happen to mention I love a good bargain?

These first ones are J. Renee red booties, and are actually quite comfortable. Although I probably wouldn't want to wear them for a day long shopping excursion. They were originally priced at $89.95, came down to a sale price of $38.49, and only $13.49 when paired with a $25 gift certificate!

The purple pair are Sam Edelman (which I had never before heard of) and made of purple suede. They match the slew of purple garments I have either made or am planning to make for fall. Original price was $149, sale price was $59.58, with yet another $25 gift certificate I paid $34.58. Which was not such a great bargain as the red boots but still a wonderful deal.

And that's it! You've probably grown bored of reading this post. I am surely tired of writing it, and am off to work on my latest project, a gray wool dress for fall. Pictures coming soon!

25 comments:

  1. I bought some of that dotted border print from FM in the first round. It is a lovely piece isn't it!?

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  2. I can see I'm not the only one who loves getting new fabrics, and planning what to do with them :)
    Very foxy red boots!

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  3. I'm so glad you got the dotted fabric! I haven't decided what to do with mine yet, but I have 5 yards of the stuff. I was good and didn't buy from the fabric mart sale, but it was hard to resist!

    I definitely have to get some of that wool from fabric.com. I thought about doing that skirt in red too, but decided to make a black or gray one first. I'm undecided on the bow issue - I think it's cute, but I worry it would wrinkle and look sad when I sat down.

    Cute boots too - I love the red ones! I like to buy shoes from 6pm.com (Zappos outlet site) and I always like seeing them (I have a shoes problem!)

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  4. Hi, Amanda! I have that dotted fabric, too! I fell in love with it and had to have some... How are you going to pre-treat it? Are you going to machine wash it?

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  5. Boy have you been shopping! And that is good cos we will see lots of gorgeous things made up (no pressure..lol). Love the purple boots - just gorgeous. And for the white knit, I like the Vogue - looks like a remake of V7799.

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  6. Marybeth - The sticker that came with it reads "machine wash" so I was planning to wash it in warm and tumble dry. Although it depends on the pattern I choose. If there's a lining I usually don't prewash as it'll have to go to the drycleaners if it gets dirty. Are you expecting a major amount of shrinkage? Now you've got me a little concerned.

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  7. Great fabrics! You are so lucky. I'm currently awaiting some on my end as well. Cute boots also!!!

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  8. Great fabric finds, and I LOVE both pairs of boots. You've made me realise my winter shoes are all a bit boring too.

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  9. I just LOVE that dotted fabric! You got quite a nice stash going. I'm new to following your blog. I've recently gotten back into a sewing kick...your blog is inspiring.

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  10. I love it when goodies arrive in the mail. You have a lot of great projects ahead of you. The pink and brown patchwork almost found a home here too. It is adorable, and I will be looking forward to seeing the dress you come up with. The boots...What great deals and the colors...AWESOME.

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  11. Ok, I'm just drooling over here. I love the white sweater knit and think it would be a great cardi (vote for the Simplicity), and I want those purple boots!

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  12. Board- are you kidding. I love knowing I'm not the only one with a fabric addiction. Love the large dots fabric.

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  13. I bought fabric from fabric mart twice and I was not dissapointed, especially when I use a 20% coupon. You got some beautiful pieces and I love the boots.

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  14. You did some wonderful shopping. And all with a plan in your head, I'm impressed. I buy lots of fabric, just because I think I might be able to use it sometime. Or just because it's pretty. I guess I shouldn't show my fabric closet, it's kind of embarrasing ;-)

    I can't wait to see all these projects. I am sure they will be fabulous!

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  15. Even though I just got back from a fabric buying weekend, you are really making me want to go online... Great haul!

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  16. I'm really liking the boots! The fabrics are beautiful also, but the boots are really nice.

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  17. I love all your new fabrics. Isn't it great when a parcel of fabrics arrives at the door - it's like getting a present?! I love your new boots - particularly the purple Sam Edelman's (I bought two pairs of Sam Edelman sandals in the sale at Bloomingdales last summer and I really love them).

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  18. I vote for the Vogue pattern for the red sweater fabric. Vogue, Vogue, Vogue! Sorry just really think this is the best choice and I got carried away :) TeeHee!

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  19. Oh yeah, I bought that pattern you made with the jacket I called "high drama". I can dream if I can not sew that great yet.

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  20. So sorry, I meant WHITE sweater knit in the previous comment.

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  21. I visited the Fabric Mart brick and mortar location last week. All the fabrics on the web site are sitting right there and you can even wander around in the room where they are cutting fabric and filling orders. It is not a large operation in terms of people, but there was oh so much fabric! Of course I stocked up on some $2.00/yard silks. You are one heck of a bargain shopper. Cool boots!

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  22. Hi, Amanda... Thanks for the info about washing... I saw that sticker, too, but the fabric just looks so delicate that I was nervous about putting it in the washer... I'm sure it will be fine!

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  23. LOVE that first fabric! Super cute.

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  24. Nice fabrics. And the purple boots are awesome, the will match prefectly with your B5334 jacket!

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  25. I'm not sure what I love more - the shoes or the fabrics!

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