I've just come home from a wonderful quilting retreat up at Blackheath, in the Blue Mountains of NSW. Three solid days of sewing - just perfect!!! But a sewing retreat wouldn't be complete without a little shopping.
Three stores were in attendance for the entire retreat - strategically placed so we walked past them each time we went to the dining area.
As you know, my stash is growing at an alarming rate. I don't need any new fabric!!! I was a good girl and resisted on the first day. By the second day, however, my will power had weakened.
I kind of stuck to a theme with my fabric purchases - sewing themed and/or text fabrics. I'm not sure why, but I have a thing for text fabrics. They look so cool in patchwork projects.
The pink text fabric is from the Riley Blake Think Pink range. The polka dot is a perfect match.
To my eye, as a whole piece of fabric, there's nothing particularly appealing about the Simple Life, by Riley Blake. Again, however, I can imagine it as part of a patchwork project.
The Japanese, Yuwa Live Life Collection is my favourite. I can already picture parts of this fabric in zippered pouches, maybe a triple zip pouch, or a free motion embroidered open wide pouch.
I'm hoping the reds and blues will make this fabric an easy one to put together with co-ordinating fabrics. Co-ordinating and matching fabrics is something I don't find easy, but I'm working on it and definitely improving.
Vintage Happy, by Riley Blake, was on special at $10/m. For all my U.S. friends, that's a real bargain!!! Jackie, from Blueberries, had thought it would be popular, but it didn't prove to be.
It really appeals to me, however. I guess it's a fabric you either love or hate and I LOVE it - the quirky, old fashioned sayings, the text, the pictures and the pattern shapes.
As a whole piece of fabric, I can't see it being used, but once again, for a patchwork project, I think it's perfect. Alternatively, I think it would make a fun lining for a zippered pouch.
As you can see, I restrained myself and didn't buy huge amounts of fabric, which I could easily have done.
Later on in the week, I'll tell you all about the sewing side of the retreat.
... Pam
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The "Ellen's" fabric is the bomb!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kelley~
The "Vintage happy" fabric looks so cool! I would probably cut out the sayings and frame them up!! Really nice finds. Waiting to see what you turn them into.
ReplyDelete-FarZain
@http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/
I love themed fabrics. I just don't know what to do with them!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabrics you have chosen! I think I too, could not resist buying these fabrics . I also have a predilection for fabrics with words and themes ... thanks for sharing !!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh they are gorgeous Pam - I can see why you couldn't resist!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love all of your fabric!
ReplyDeleteYour fabrics are lovely :) I have few sewing themed ones but no text fabric . Looking forward to see how you are going to use them .
ReplyDeleteWelcome back - I'm glad you had fun @ the retreat - and a bit of shopping is practically mandatory - nobody would expect you to resist for the entire 3 days, lol! Those fabrics are delicious - you didn't really buy much, though! That Aunt Ellen's fabric is a hoot ... and now if you'll excuse me, I need to go and keep my man's ego at a top notch pitch! ;)
ReplyDeleteVery cute fabric. I'm going to look for some of those to add to my stash.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely fall into the 'love' it side with that fabric! I'm increasingly drawn to text too, and you're so right, it always seems to work brilliantly in patchwork. Looking forward to seeing these in use and to hearing about your sewing from the retreat. (And I do think 3 days of walking past fabric shops like that is incredibly unfair! How could anyone be expected to resist!)
ReplyDeleteoh no... I am coveting all of these. You must know just how much I love text on fabric!!! Wonder where I am finding some here, on this side of the world. LeeAnna at not afraid of color
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