Tuesday, March 3, 2009

First Fabric of 2009: what a rush

So I had a little play date on Sunday. Kisha came over and we spent a few hours talking patterns, fitting, trying on clothes, and then she looked at me with that gleam in her eye. "Want to go to Jomar?"

Do I want to go to Jomar? I always want to go to Jomar. I should not go to Jomar, because it is dangerous to my budget. But did I say no? Of course not, I'm obsessed and addicted, not crazy!

I did, however, set myself a limit of $20 for my purchases. In most stores that won't get you very far, but in Jomar, you can fill a bag. Which is just what I did. Okay, so I went over by a little - only $5, though, and I'm 15 yards of fabric to the good.

15 yards, while nothing to be proud of, does not replace all the stash I sewed up in January and February, so I'm pleased about that. Plus all my purchases except one have specific uses. I bought 4 solid color cotton jerseys - cream, medium blue, teal and creamsicle. Mario, knowing what I was going to get up to yesterday, said as he was leaving, "I know you're not going to Jomar, but when you go to Jomar, could you get some fabric to make me a cream-colored tshirt?" Hey, I do requests!

Also in the bag of goodies was a nice chunk of a patterned stretch knit for a summer dress - they had table on table of designer knits at $2 per yard, and it was hard to only choose one. When I first got upstairs and saw the selection, I put every single one I liked in my shopping cart so no one else would grab them, and then later I spread them out on a table and eliminated all the unnecessary ones, ending with this tropical floral. I bought both pieces, which got me about 4 yards, but I was afraid 2 wouldn't cover everything - I know it's a dress, just not which one. Besides, there may need to be some waste to avoid Awkward Flower Placement.

I also got a 2 yard piece of stretch velvet which reminds me of a Gorgeous Fabric that I never got around to purchasing. So soft.

My last purchase, pulled off the rack while standing in line waiting for my other fabrics to be cut, was 3 yards of this striped silk. When I first saw it, I thought it was shirting, but this is better than making another shirt for you-know-who. I don't have an exact project in mind for this yet, but it's either going to be something vintage or nice summer shirt dress. If I did a vintage one, I could probably play with the striping and make something really unique. Must go through the vintage pattern stash soon.

A side note from the Jomar run: I got to meet Jay McCarroll, winner of season one of Project Runway. He was in there filling up a massive shopping cart full of goodies for his clothing line. I asked him what his favorite fabric stores were in NYC, since as a young designer I didn't imagine he could afford Mood without Bravo's backing, and he said that he doesn't shop in NY. He shops at Jomar.

I knew I liked him.

10 comments:

Pam Erny said...

Karen...Cool fabric finds!

Visit my blog to pick up an award:

Pam ~Off The Cuff~

Lori said...

Wow, 15 yards of fabric for $25 amazing. Sounds like such a fun day.

Little Hunting Creek said...

I am so jealous - nothing cool like Jomar here in the wilds of Virginia.

Rose said...

I love your fabric-such wonderful colors! Even with the great prices, I would be broke if Jomar's was close to me. Yet, I'm already thinking of a trip! BTW, the garments you made in January/February are awesome. I think you deserved some fabric-buying fun after your hard work.

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

LOVE that zigzag print. Dang. I keep fantasizing about taking a day trip to philly on the Chinatown bus if only to pick up more interfacing. I've almost used up what I bought there and it is so much nicer than Joann (and $1/yd!).

Nancy K said...

Wow! What bargains.

Connie B said...

How fun for you two! I have been wallowing under too much work and DEFINATELY not enough time to do what I want- but I am still alive up here at least!

Elaray said...

You have been nominated for the Sisterhood Award!

gwensews said...

Congratulations on shopping wisely! Seven fabrics, which means at least seven garments, for $25.00. You couldn't beat that even at a thrift shop!

Pam Erny said...

....please stop my blog to collect your "Sisterhood Award" that
I nominated you for at 5am yesterday morning :)

Pam ~Off The Cuff~