Fabricholism...

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

OOOOOOH lovely, Kate!!!

I bought the rest of a bolt of Specialty cotton in the Minnesota Vikings print to make my son a shirt for Christmas. It's 60" wide and just a pinch over 2 1/2 yards. Hopefully I can squeeze a hirt in a 2X for him.

[Lady Catharine]

Athena,

My mom & I visited Hobby Lobby few weeks ago~~~

I love that place~~~If you cannot find what u need, then u dont need it~~~

OMG.. I fell in love there..
Sorry to say it has Joanne's beat.

[gem]

Kate, that's fantastic!  Is the sprig a print or embroidery? You almost give me the nerve to try dyeing something.

I just picked up two damask tablecloths for a kirtle project from Penney's:



Got 6 and 2/3 yards for $6.00/yard. Not dirt cheap, but definitely what I'm comfortable spending. Even better with free shipping!

[operafantomet]

While we're at it, are there any good online sources for black, broad cotton velvet?

[gem]

Anea, I'm not sure what you mean by "broad," but I've had good luck with velvet in the past from Denver Fabrics, and I see that Renaissance Fabrics has 55" black cotton velveteen (which may not be what you want):
http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/cgi-bin/showAll.cgi?id=417

[Dinobabe]

Serious score!!!!

My husband's coworker's wife (whew!) owns an interior decorating business.  She "purged" her swatch collection and GAVE IT TO ME!  Unfortunately she had thrown out 20 bags before she thought about me.  Of course, that means she will save them for me next time.  Most of them are 25"x25".  Just enough to make a bodice out of.  Some of the fabrics are beyond gorgeous!  Makes me want full yardage.  Most of them are discontinued.   Oh well!  I can make pillows, bodices, bags, sashes, runners, cholis, patchwork rugs, etc...
SQUEEEEEEE!!!!!!

[Rani Zemirah]

Ooooh... awesome!!!  Aren't samples FUN?!? 

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Five years ago in Walmart, I saw a Buchanan tartan fleece.  We were in a hurry so I decided that I'd pick it up the next time I was in Walmart.  Not!  It was all gone, and I called Walmarts in Dubuque, Platteville, Madison, & Davenport, all within an hour and a half driving distance.  No more anywhere.

Fast forward to last Sunday.  Steve & I took a drive to Madison, WI (an hour and a half away) because in a couple of weeks there is an indoor winter Renaissance Festival in one of the malls there.  It's a Saturday, & Steve has to work, so I'll be driving myself and a couple of friends, and I wanted to find out where it was in advance instead of getting lost on the day.

In this mall, there happened to be a Hancock's fabric, so we went in.  My first time ever inside Hancock's, because there aren't any around us, and I literally just started sewing (although my stash goes back years for "someday I will.")

Steve's poking around in the cross stitch section, & I walk past the fleece to find him.  You guessed it!  Two bolts of Buchanan tartan fleece.  On sale 50% off.  I bought 6 yards of the tartan fleece, and 3 yards of solid light green & 3 yards of burnt orange (the colors in the tartan) to make 2 tie-together fleece throws.  The one I've been promising my husband for 5 years, and the other one for a friend who's tartan is also Buchanan.

Renee is a happy camper!   

[DonaCatalina]

Congratulations Renee- it must have been destiny. Usually a story like that ends up under Murphy's Laws: Fabric to never be found again.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Congratulations Renee- it must have been destiny. Usually a story like that ends up under Murphy's Laws: Fabric to never be found again.

Dona, I sure learned my lesson.  If I see something that I like, I will buy it then.  Not wait and take a chance, because you're right, probably I'll never find it.  I know I was very lucky with the fleece, but luck doesn't always hold up!    lol     

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

A word to the wise when in a  fabric store and you come across something unique for that "someday I will use this for something!"

"When in doubt, buy the rest of the bolt! You may never see it again!"

There have been several instances where I bought a minimum of 5 yards of unique patterened fabric that no one else would have. I am glad I did. I have several pieces of fabric no longer available that I plan projects for.

[Cilean]

A word to the wise when in a  fabric store and you come across something unique for that "someday I will use this for something!"  "When in doubt, buy the rest of the bolt! You may never see it again!"  There have been several instances where I bought a minimum of 5 yards of unique patterened fabric that no one else would have. I am glad I did. I have several pieces of fabric no longer available that I plan projects for.

Hear Hear!! I have several pieces that people have seen and asked me when I picked it up as it is something they adore. It could have been 10 years ago or even 15 years past.  I have it because I know if you don't get it, Fabric Regret is the worst thing evah! I had purchased 2 yards of this Purple and Silver Chenille, because it was $18.00 a yard and that is what I could afford, in the Fabric District, I went back the next season and it was gone....I have never seen Purple and Silver again....it just sucks so badly!
I have the 10 yard rule, if I can afford it? 10 yards it will be in my stash.
Cilean

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Cilean!

Almost 2 years ago I bought 8 1/2 yards of this lovely tarnished gold Embroidered Dupioni Silk for a commission. it was $35 a yard on sale. 8 yards was all I could afford. I used 6 of it for the gown. The rest, I am going to use for the contrast fabric for a gown I plan to make for myself next year. The main fabric was the rest of a bolt of little over 6 yards of a lovely Decorator weight period print that was discounted for $4 a yard.

I also second the 10 yard rule.

[DragonWing]

Hello all, it's been a while since I have been in this thread. And I am happy to say my stash is growing. Huzzah to me. Mi-Lord is mostly to blame...he he he.

For the past month or so I have acquired

This:
thrift store fine - 3yds $7.00


This:
Joann's red dot table 8yds @ $3.00/yd


This:
Joann's - 3yds 50% coupon



And this:
Joann's 3yds 50% coupon, the silver brocade on the left



Also 10yards of muslin with 40% coupon, black silk 2yds on sale, 10yds black lace on sale 99 cents a yard at hobby lobby

This weekend we got 2 1/2 yds of pink gingham @ $2.77/yd Wall Mart. And at Joann's 2yds black stretch velvet w/ 50% coupon, 3yds black penne w/ 50% coupon

and thats what we acquired in the past month or so.

[Cilean]

So I scored on trim instead of actual fabric this time!  I went down to see my BFF in Corona, CA and when coming home we stopped at My Mecca or the LA Garment District, I was very disappointed as Home Fabrics was not open (Sad Me) but wondering around I did in fact score with 50 yards of grosgrain that I use as ties and what not,  for $2.50 for the 1/4" size, so I am very happy to have gained the colors we typically use, black, grey, dark blue and medium, red, deep purple and green.  So I don't have to worry about not having enough ties for an outfit for a little bit I think!

Best is I picked up at the Walmart Black Friday Sale - I found a light sewing machine for new to sewing for $50.00 to put up for auction!!!

Cilean