Spring 2013 Dream Fabrics

In a perfect world I would go fabric shopping at least once a week, browse through the isles of gorgeous seasonal fabrics, running my finger tips along the smooth finishes and holding them up to experience their drape. Then I would come home with piles upon piles of vibrant colored silks, wool, and organic Cotton. Maybe even a little bamboo.

But alas, I live in the real world, and here I am bound by a budget and the laws of physics. Not only can I not afford to live that dream, I also have no room for it.

But there is nothing wrong with dreaming, right? So here are a few of the fabrics I have been dreaming about for the spring 2013.

Click the picture or link to see the prices. Or don't, if like me you would rather keep the dream alive!

I see myself wearing this iridescent Dupioni silk as a 3/4 sleeve spring jacket, perhaps while wondering around Paris on a cool spring morning. Oh, it is fun to dream!

Now in this part of the dream I am standing at the edge of the ocean, with the wind blowing my hair perfectly, just like in the movies, not all in my face like real life. My much taller and thinner self is wearing this flowing Oscer de la Renta Organza as a beach cover up. It is shear so that I can show off my perfect dream abs!

Of course after a vacation in Paris and then a trip to the beach I would need to take some time to rest up. Why not sew up some luxurious comfy lounge wear in this dusty mint linen.







Do you ever dream about fabric, or am I as crazy as my family seems to think? Let me know in the comments!

Some Sketching and Waiting

Almost all of my sewing time has been going to one big project. At least it's big for me. I would love to tell you what it is, but that would ruin the surprise. There are a few other non top secret projects that I am excited about as well, but unfortunately I am still waiting on fabric.

I've tried and tried to organize my huge fabric stash but those stupid laws of physics always get in the way. You can't fit something with a large volume (no matter how you fold it) into a tiny space. 

The most obvious solution would be to sew only from my stash until I cut it down. Yea, I'm not doing that, but I am only buying fabric when I have a plan for it. That means I am doing a lot of planning and then going crazy while I wait for the fabric to get here.

Fabric.com was having a great sale for 20% off any order over $40.00, so I sketched out my plans, picked my favorite and ordered a lot of fabric. All together the total came to $35.00 (after the sale) and I got 7 yards of fabric and a few notions. My planning also includes using up 2 yards of fabric from my stash. 

The raglan shirt below is going to for be for my daughter Ashley. Her style leans slightly in the direction of tomboy. She hates dresses and ruffles and lace, but she does love the color pink.

Update: See the finished mixed fabric raglan t shirt and a tutorial here.

Next up is a project for my son and husband that I am very excited about. We watched Rise of the Guardians as a family and I studied Jack Frost's sweatshirt most of the time. For a cartoon it shows incredible details. You can even see the seam lines. 

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And finally my ugly vintage pattern remixes. I am planning to get two spring dresses out of this pattern. It is the first on the list to be completed and I will give you all of the details when it's done but here is a peek at what's to come. 

Update : The first dress is done. See it Here

Thanks so much for looking. Feel free to share your sewing to do list in the comments.