Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Give me liberty

What, did you think after that little bout of public enabling, I wasn't going to buy any?

I haven't bought much from Fabric.com recently.  I took myself off their daily emails and tried to forget they were there because it was just too easy.  But for Liberty, exceptions will be made. I loaded up my imaginary cart and clicked "save".  I didn't count how much I put in the cart, or worry about its effects on my credit card.  And I do, sometimes.  But I was remarkably restrained in Chicago, partly because of my late start, but mostly because I can shop anytime, anywhere. 

Talking to 100 other sewing-obsessed women . . . about sewing?  That I can't do anytime, anywhere.  So I behaved. 

I went to work last Friday and let a large black coffee clear my head a little.  The total in the shopping cart was $304. 

Yikes.

I'd picked out 6 fabrics.  Obviously, that wasn't going to happen.  I sat and considered my options, and what I could eliminate without getting the textile version of the bends.  There was a half yard that I wasn't giving up, because it's going to give new life to a dress made a few years ago that doesn't get enough wear (a half yard will allow me to change out the sleeves, which I don't like).

After that easy choice, the harder decisions.  By my second cup of coffee, I'd narrowed it down to 2, plus that half yard.  And since I'm planning shirts instead of dresses, and since the prints I'd chosen were blessedly non-directional, I figured I could manage with 1.5 yards each. 

So really, not too awful, not when you throw in free shipping and a 10% off coupon.  I got 3.5 yards for a little more than the price of 2 full price yards. 

It's a justification.  I know it.  But when is Liberty of London going to come along at that price again, and in that many prints and colors?  It's a good thing that my thrifty streak is nearly as wide as I am, or I might have clicked "buy" with that $304 cart, instead of "save."

The top 2 fabrics pictured are the shirt yardage; the bottom blue/tan floral is the excess fabric to change out the sleeves on my Loaves & Fishes dress.  Hmmm, if I had to buy more fabric to make it work, I guess I'll have to change the name - no more miraculous making of a dress out of too little fabric.

But if I wasn't wearing it, it wasn't a successful dress.  I'll wear it now.  That's more important in the long run.

It arrived on Tuesday.  It's lovely.  And it's mine.

3 comments:

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

It's scary how similar our tastes are! I bought the Susannah yellow (center piece) and the black and white version of your last piece. I got 4.5 yards of LOL with a 10% off coupon and free shipping too! It was a great bargain...I'm just trying to convince myself that I don't need more!

Sewingelle said...

Ooh its so lovely, especially the top william morris like one. Enjoy!

Sarah C said...

Oh my! I just read Carolyn's post about her purchases and now yours! I really really want some Liberty in my life!!!! I would kill to be able to purchase some right now. I love all the prints you pictured!