I hadn’t bought fabric since the start of October last year, people. And like all diets of the strictest kind, you’re likely to break your rules at some point and binge on the very thing you sought to restrict.
That breaking point for me was on Saturday just gone past – with 11 of my favourite sewing enthusiasts, Social Sewing went on the road! We had visitors from multiple states – Suzy (SuzyBeeSews) from South Australia, Amanda (Bimble and Pimble) from the ACT and Kirsty (RocketSews) from Tasmania. There’s already evidence floating around that the Sydney Sewing Girls had their own massive fabric binge on the very same day – good minds eh! Our day started early, and we covered 8 shops and trekked all over Melbourne stopping for lunch somewhere in the middle and then topping it off with dinner at Rockwell & Sons (the restaurant co-owned by Belle’s (Bella’s Collectanea) husband. I skipped out on that though as I had a hot-date with my beau.
Thankfully I had plenty of advance notice this fabric shopping expedition of most epic proportions, so by extension I had ample chance to strengthen my fabric-grabbing reflexes. I think I did myself proud. The other ladies did too – Lara (Thornberry) walked out of one fabric shop with a whopping FOUR BAGS of fabric! And check out the boot of 1 of the three cars it took to get us all around town here.
Shall we look what came home with me?
Some floral/lace printed knit (not pictured) and minty green marle knit from the remnant bin at Rathdowne Remnants, destined to be a Papercut Undercover Hood for winter this year:
Some super-sturdy and strong silk twill in a pinky red (I thought it was some really soft cotton twill when I picked it up!) from The Fabric Store (50% off, whooo!) which will hopefully become some Patrones shorts before the end of summer (thanks to the Curious Kiwi for posting about this issue so I could ‘discover’ this pattern!):
Also from The Fabric Store, some oyster coloured silk satin for lining, plus some delicious baby blue silk/cotton voile bought specifically to underline the eyelet fabric on the right (bought previously) to become a Mad Men/potential SewcieTea dress:
LIBERTY! We all love liberty. This is a bit unusual in that it’s a little warm, fuzzy and certainly not lightweight – it’s almost flannelette like. I lurve the colours and I scored some bright red silk habutai to line it with – no pattern ideas as yet, but definitely a autumnal dress (both from The Cloth Shop):
And finally fabric-wise – my ultimate score for the day – some painted and embroidered silk dupion, also from The Cloth Shop. A long time friend is getting married at the end of the year, so I’m thinking of whipping this up for that. The print is giant, so it will need to be a fairly simple dress pattern to let the fabric shine. A big circle skirt and a crinoline are floating around in my imagination…
I also had a rather exciting moment, because I finally found a shop that sells petersham ribbon – The Button Shop. And it’s within walking distance from my house – gah! I’ve been looking everywhere online and found nothing (Ribbons Galore used to sell them but have stopped stocking it) – of course, it was right under my nose to begin with. So I bought quite a bit of that, plus some simple and small mother of pearl buttons to be put on a button up shirt (there’s also some lace trim from the Alannah Hill Outlet in Brunswick in there):
Everyone’s been asking me… so how many meters does that add to your stash, Mel? Well, unfortunately for me the number don’t lie. Looks like I’m back on that fabric diet (until New York and Baltimore in September) if I’m EVER going to get down to 50m:
Stash total prior to Saturday = 79.8m
New additions to stash = 18.7m
Current stash total = 98.5m
Le sigh. Anyway, here’s a sneak peak of what’s currently being sewn up!
poppykettle 
Do I spy a Belladone?! I missed you at dinner (where there were 2 belladones present!). See you in a couple of weeks though?
That is some rather healthy stash additions! And I must say your bolt grabbing skills are highly developed ;)
I love your label, things of limited interest to other people, Hilarous!!! Whats the 4th fabric down? I think the embroidered silk dupion was the best buy too – if I had to sum you up in one fabric that would be it. :)I wanted to fondle the liberty, but didn't get the chance, I think the . I love your red lining. Thanks for coming and driving, it was a lovely day with epic proportions!
Fantabulous!! What an epic haul?! I love that rose pink ribbon. It looks perfect for my sewcie tea dress. I am sorry I missed this outing. We did our best in Sydney!!
I really like all of your fabrics Melanie, but the painted and embroidered dupion silk is my favourite. Sounds like a fun day and I guess it gives you lots of inspiration when you are with similar minded friends.
oooohhh… fabric envy! especially love the pink/red silk twill, and the liberty, and the dupion… can't wait to see it all made up!
Wow, what great acquisitions! A girl's gotta have fun and shop for fabric every once in a while, right?
I love the term stash enrichment. Pretty silk!
Very nice fabrics! The last one is amazing! It should be nice dress!
Fabulous haul! My stash is sitting at 130m if it makes you feel any better! Thank you so much for the info on petersham ribbon. Even though I am way over here in Perth, I am sure the Button Shop will post to me if I need as they are happy to post buttons.
Wow, nice work!! I'm hardly one to judge when it comes to fabric blow-outs, so I'll send you my congratulations on an awesome haul instead :p I'm not usually the biggest Liberty fan, but the one that you picked up is a real gem! Oh, and thanks for the petersham tip- the Button Shop is also really close to my house- saves ordering it from the U.S.!
I love absolutely all of these for you! Cannot wait to see what you magic them into…
Love that silk, it's going to be such a beautiful dress! Great to meet you in real life, was a great day with lots of lovely fabric :)
Love the stash enhancement. So glad I'm not the only one who indulged a little over the weekend. I have no idea how many meters of fabric I own. Not all of it is useful, but may one day so I can't get rid of it. So long I can fit my stash in my set bookshelf it's OK. Looking forward to seeing your tea dress :)
Lovely collection, but nicer in real life where it could be stroked. Can't wait to see what you make with it.
I love your purchases so much I want to hit the (Sydney) fabric shops all over again! I am not game to count my metres in case the number makes me keel over. Sounds like there are a lot of great places to visit in Melbourne…
Wow wow wow!!! They're all so lovely! I'm especially smitten with the watercolor-y floral and embroidered silk dupion – but my favorite (and this might make me weird) is that minty marled knit!! I love a good knit and that one just looks like near perfection. I can see the color being really flattering on you too. Nice haul! Especially after such a strict fabric diet!
Fabric shopping with other sewistas is always so much fun! And it looks like your stash has been greatly enriched (I love that lace trompe l'oeil knit). But dare I say that it looks like a rather frosting-ish haul?? ;-)
what delicious fabric! especially the painted silk dupioni… a simple fitted bodice and a very full skirt would look amazing!
Very refined shopping skills! What will you sew at social sewing?
Like diets – aren't they meant to be broken? You've done a great job on your fabric purchases and can't wait to see them made up. Oh – thanks for the link for Petersham ribbon, great to see they have other colours. Happy Sewing!!!!
Love the fabrics that you chose! and thanks so much for carting me around all day! It was so lovely to chat and relive my childhood in your hood! :PCan't wait to see all the pretty things you make!
I know the feeling. I wanted to do some stashbusting this year too but stopped short of committing not to buy any new fabric. Then you can't take part in fun excursions like your most recent one. Love the Liberty print!
If you're going to add to your stash it might as well be beautiful fabric – you've picked some stunning fabrics, can't wait to see them sewn up.
Looks like some great additions! Can't wait to see what the preview picture turns out to be.
NICE!
Nothing better than going shopping to add to your stash! Like they say "money can't buy happiness but it can buy fabric!!"I just adore your blog so I've just nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award. You can check it out here if you like:http://esmewonders.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/liebster-blog-award.html
I just found this post and I am literally drooling over my keyboard …. I need a bender like this … wonderful!
You spy correctly! Sorry I missed you at dinner – I had a date with my beau pre-planned. Social Sewing it is!
hehe… thanks Amanda! Was SO lovely to meet you :)
Thanks! That fourth fabric was from the remnant bin at Rathdownes – Not sure why I bought it, but it was $8 for 2m, so I snapped it up anyway. Couldn't agree more with the dupion… It's SO delicious!! Can't wait to sew it up :)Thanks for organising – such an awesome day!
It would match that fabric of yours perfectly! I see you ladies did a pretty good job of snapping up awesome fabrics in Sydney… :)
It is seriously gorgeous fabric, Majorie. I'm head over heels in love with it. So much fun – thankyou!
Me too! Makes it all the more frustrating that my sewing time is limited at the moment :(
Hells yeah.
Thanks Liza!
I certainly hope so :)
You're welcome, Jen :) And yes, that does make me feel a little better! I think I've just got to accept that I collect fabric like other people collect stamps. Sometimes, you've just gotta have it ;)
Too easy! We are lucky to have such fabulous shops in close proximity, for sure :) Looking forward to meeting you at SewcieTea!
Thanks Kat!!! Next time you're back in Aus, we'll have to go fabric shopping!
An Amazing day, totally. Was SO lovely to meet you – thanks for coming all that way!
That's about the same way I think, too! One day, I may sew it all up. Until then, I'm safe if there's ever a worldwide fabric shortage. haha!
Thanks Rach :) Me too!
… and in Sydney! So many fabric shops… so little time! Thanks Gabrielle :)
The knit IS delicious :) I'm almost pining for cooler weather so there's incentive to knock it up! Thanks Sallie :)
but… but… there's lining in there! I can't help but suspect you're correct. I'm going to justify it by telling myself I'm balancing out my heavily practically-focus stash. Best part about that is, noone can really call me out ;)
We're thinking the same thoughts Joelle! That fabric needs to be showcased at it's finest :) Thanks!
Obviously, not much. Maybe we'll all have better luck next time? hehe… see you soon!
Thanks Evelyne! :)
Aw, thanks Belle! We all had such a wonderful day I think… I'm only bunmmed I couldn't join you guys for dinner! Next time ;)
hehe, it's a delicate balance, stash-busting and stash-enchancing. I'm definitely better at the latter! Thanks :)
Thanks Robyn!
hehe. thanks! I'm so far behind that I've just posted the preview and am only getting around to reply commenting now!
word.
Oh, wow, thankyou Esme! You have such a gorgeous name!!
I'm considering plastic wrapping my stash so I CAN drool over it with no repercussions. Can't help you with that keyboard, though ;)
Ahh I love a good stash enrichment! :D I love every. single. piece. in that top photo, great colours. And I’ve had those shorts on my shirt (ha!) list for a while…maybe when summer finally comes back. Glad I helped introduce you to Patrones.