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Fabric shopping
Jan. 25th, 2010 07:56 amSpent yesterday afternoon tromping around the fabric district with the lovely and talented ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mithrigil. (She's making me a corset. Did I mention she takes commissions?) We found some really gorgeous royal blue shantung (I think - not labeled, but the texture seemed right). Plus a black-and-blue ribbon for the trim. (And lining, thread, etc, of course.)
I have the same problem in fabric stores as I do in art supply shops, cookware shops, and really well stocked exotic food stores. Namely, "what is this thing I've never seen anything like it I needs it I must have it what project can I think of to justify buying it?" And thus the next thing you know, you're stuffing poblano peppers with pork and pomegranate seeds or painting a wooden clock face. The rule is, if you don't have a specific project you're going to use this for (and you have to know what you're going to do with the completed project), you're not allowed to buy it. My grandmother has trouble with this, which is why she's got the massive stockpile of amazing fabric she's already trying to foist off on me. (Anyone interested in a green and yellow flowered brocade?)
No exception yesterday, of course. There was the floaty green/purple chiffon-y stuff with flowers of the same sewed on, the Miss Havisham lace with tarnished silver flowers, the steampunk brocade with gold peacock feathers and fushia circuitry, the velvet ribbon with grommets, and on and on and on. And the horror shows, of course - the Beetle Bailey print, the armadillo skin, the mass of I think black leather feathers that looked like a pile of butchered ravens, the terrifying store with things from decades better left unearthed (imitation burnt velvet made out of denim? the entire stock of 70s bedsheet fabric left in the world?). Mith introduced me to the awesomest trim store I've seen, which she is not allowed to go into unless she's buying for a specific project. (Gathers of peacock feathers that would make awesome fascinators! So many kinds of brass buttons! Spool after spool of ribbon and lace and lacing and trims of all kinds! Bits of fur, leather roses, leather roses made of bits of fur! Snoopy made entirely of sequins! Ok, not everything there was a good idea.)
I didn't seen anything that specifically caught my eye for the skirt, but then I hadn't worked out the yardage I needed yet, so it was just as well. I've ordered some swatches from my favorite online fabric store, we'll see if they're acceptable or not. If not, I'll probably be back in a week or three.
mithrigil. (She's making me a corset. Did I mention she takes commissions?) We found some really gorgeous royal blue shantung (I think - not labeled, but the texture seemed right). Plus a black-and-blue ribbon for the trim. (And lining, thread, etc, of course.)I have the same problem in fabric stores as I do in art supply shops, cookware shops, and really well stocked exotic food stores. Namely, "what is this thing I've never seen anything like it I needs it I must have it what project can I think of to justify buying it?" And thus the next thing you know, you're stuffing poblano peppers with pork and pomegranate seeds or painting a wooden clock face. The rule is, if you don't have a specific project you're going to use this for (and you have to know what you're going to do with the completed project), you're not allowed to buy it. My grandmother has trouble with this, which is why she's got the massive stockpile of amazing fabric she's already trying to foist off on me. (Anyone interested in a green and yellow flowered brocade?)
No exception yesterday, of course. There was the floaty green/purple chiffon-y stuff with flowers of the same sewed on, the Miss Havisham lace with tarnished silver flowers, the steampunk brocade with gold peacock feathers and fushia circuitry, the velvet ribbon with grommets, and on and on and on. And the horror shows, of course - the Beetle Bailey print, the armadillo skin, the mass of I think black leather feathers that looked like a pile of butchered ravens, the terrifying store with things from decades better left unearthed (imitation burnt velvet made out of denim? the entire stock of 70s bedsheet fabric left in the world?). Mith introduced me to the awesomest trim store I've seen, which she is not allowed to go into unless she's buying for a specific project. (Gathers of peacock feathers that would make awesome fascinators! So many kinds of brass buttons! Spool after spool of ribbon and lace and lacing and trims of all kinds! Bits of fur, leather roses, leather roses made of bits of fur! Snoopy made entirely of sequins! Ok, not everything there was a good idea.)
I didn't seen anything that specifically caught my eye for the skirt, but then I hadn't worked out the yardage I needed yet, so it was just as well. I've ordered some swatches from my favorite online fabric store, we'll see if they're acceptable or not. If not, I'll probably be back in a week or three.
