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Have I ever mentioned how my town has a serious lack of fabric options? Well, it's true. Apart from the ubiquitous craft mega-stores found in every strip mall across the land, with their aisles upon aisles of printed polyester, we had little else to choose from. Sure, there are a couple of lovely shops that carry rows of quilting cotton, but where is the silk? The knits? The taffeta and wool?
Needless to say, when my friend stumbled upon this new fabric store and learned that they were having a Grand Opening, I knew I had to be there. 
Upon arriving, we were greeted at the door with the sign-in and given fabric wristbands. After admiring my newest bracelet, I looked up to discover that we should have gotten there earlier. Why? Because the place was packed!
Apparently I wasn't the only one eagerly anticipating a local fabric store! We all squished in like sardines and strained our necks to hear the opening announcements and then watch a fashion show. A show that included the nifty handmade garments of some very talented local designers.
After the fashion show, I did what any sewing enthusiast would do: I slowly and politely squeezed myself through the crowds to get at peek at the fabrics. It wasn't easy, but I managed to snap a few photos and file away some patterns and prints for future reference.
To see all of those people enthusiastically squeezed into the store confirmed a suspicion that I've had for awhile, which is that sewing is making a comeback. I'm not sure if it is the recession or a rising desire for unique fashion or the popularity of shows like Project Runway, but I like this new (old) trend! And I was happy to see my community embrace it!
I'm sure that last Friday was just the first of many times that I visit Mama Said Sew. And I hope that the store, and others like it around the country, grow in their popularity and success. And I hope sewing continues to make a comeback!
Are you a sew-er, or would like to be? What are you working on, or what would you like to learn how to make? Leave your comments below!
Ladies, as we all know, like nice things. Like cashmere. And silk. And linen. But in these days of acrylic and polyester, nice things are hard to find. Which is why I was so excited when my friend and I trucked south to Boulder, CO to make a visit to Elfriede's fabric store.
It was, to be frank, a religious experience for me. There were aisles upon aisles of soft, lovely fabrics--perfect for skirts and trousers and ruffles blouses.
As you can see, I had my hands full. The dark cocoa is a wool/silk blend that will shortly become my favorite new pair of pants. The pink is wool and nylon, and is destined for pencil-skirt-greatness. And the blue...oh the blue...so silky and soft. It will be a wrap dress with a full, twirly skirt (because all ladies need twirly skirts).
As I oogled the trims (above) and buttons (below), I couldn't help but think about how difficult it is to find quality garments in the stores these days. At least quality at an affordable price. Sure, there are racks of trendy, adorable styles, but so often they are poorly made and crafted from synthetic fibers.
Now don't get me wrong--I love LOVE the person who invented Lycra, but I have to confess that once I started using real wool and silk in my handmade knitting and sewing projects, there was no turning back. Sure, they cost more than acrylics, but the budgeting trick is to make the fashions yourself. 
And finally, I can't finish a post on Elfriede's without introducing you to the lady herself. As you can see, Elfriede is quite stylish and beautiful, wearing an outfit I have no doubt she made. When I first met her, she was drinking coffee from fine china and instructing me to abandon my reserve and just dive into the fabrics (as if I needed the invitation...). On my second visit she blew into the shop wearing a classy black hat, a timeless red cashmere dress, and carried an armful of lilies to brighten the winter day.
She counseled me diligently on my choices, giving me invaluable instructions. And I left with a bag full of lovely yards, and a role model.
You can bet I'll be visiting again soon!
We are about to enter that time of year. You know--the one where we are bombarded with a gazillion things to buy, when the stores are warm and inviting, and the commercials are calling out our names. It won't be long. Our door handles won't even be cool from the warm touch of trick-or-treaters before the holiday season comes knocking.
And as I mentioned yesterday, I am preparing for said time of year with a list of projects, and a hankering for originality. So I've corralled a few items and objects from around my home that I intend to transform into holiday treats. Want a sneak peek?
These pine logs, for instance, that have been warming the pavement on our back patio, are just begging to be transformed into holiday-illumination displays.
With belts, naturally. And candles.
And these tiny beads, which I've been harboring for half a decade, might finally find a home on a certain tank top I own that could use a glitzy holiday makeover.
These vintage toys from my childhood won't be gifted away (Never!) I promise, but I just might use their infant-sized apparel to inspire a few baby DIY projects of my own.
Finally, I have a pile of buttons crying out for a home...perhaps destined to be sewn onto new cozy bedding designed especially for cold winter days.
If you can't tell already, the theme for these found treasures--and the projects that will stem from them--is making clever use of ordinary, round-the-house items. Are you excited? Me too! More coming soon--I promise!
Until then, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
--steph
To read other Be An Original posts, click here!
It occurred to me the other day that I haven't had a full week away from writing/posting since last Christmas. And though I do so love my job, a break every now and then is good for the soul.
So this next week I'll be "staycationing" at home. And I have a lot of plans for my time. 
Like diving into these new yarns. Can you tell I'm on a bit of a blue and lavender kick?
I've already started a new sweater. Yes--those are bobbles that you see. It has bobbles. This is my first time with these adorable little balls, so I'm having a lot of fun. Bobble fun. You understand.
And I'm sure I'll be drinking a lot of this tea I discovered yesterday. I asked the barista for a breakfast tea, and ended up with a mug of this delightful brew.
It has chocolate in it. That's right, friends--chocolate. Why have I never thought of black tea and chocolate mingling together so nicely in my cup? It's brilliant! Thanks to Boulder's Tea Spot for their marvelous invention.
Since the weather has officially turned to fall (it got below freezing last night!), I decided that it was high time to get onto the tight craze. I haven't worn tights since I was a kid.
So you can bet that I'll be enjoying these new leggings throughout my staycation, and for the rest of the season. 
Finally, what is a staycation without some sewing? I've loaded up on a few fall fabrics in lavender (again with the purple), brown and red houndstooth.
These stacks are destined to become my newest favorite dresses, perfect for layering with sweaters and scarves.
And of course tights.
That's all fine and well, you might be thinking, but what will happen to the blog while you're sewing and knitting and drinking tea?
So glad you asked! I've prepared a series of my favorite posts from the past year for you to read in my absence. I hope you enjoy reading them again (or for the first time if you're a new reader) as much as I enjoyed writing them!
I look forward to talking to you soon!
--steph
It's official. I have caught the "what-stylish-thing-can-I-make-out-of-my-existing-wardrobe" bug.
Personally I blame Mrs. Marple.
It was her class yesterday that got me contemplating the many ways I could transform my old clothing into new things.
Like this plain ivory tank top that I've been wearing for years. Sure, I like it alright, but I think I would like it even more with layers upon layers of polka dot ruffles. Wouldn't you?
Polka dots from this skirt, for instance, that I've had stuffed in a drawer for about 5 years. Once upon a time I loved this skirt. But that time has long since passed.
The truth is that converting old things into new things is virtuous for a number of reasons. The first is obvious: it cuts down on unnecessary consumerism by making good use of things we've already purchased.
Naturally this is good for our wallets and the environment.
But it is also good for other, less conventional reasons. Like exercising our problem solving skills, for instance.
The practice of seeing old things with fresh new eyes is a universally flattering skill, and can be applied to areas outside of fashion. Like work, for instance.
Challenging our creativity is also far more rewarding than simply gratifying someone else's inspired items. Sure I can buy the latest and greatest from Michael Kors or Mark Jacobs (well, I can't because they're too expensive, but you get my point...), but creating something with my own hands from the vision in my mind is Much More rewarding. Frankly, it boosts the ego.
Furthermore, it gives us a reprieve from the consumer auto-pilot that we often find ourselves on. You know the one--like when we (okay, me) walk into Target for toilet paper and walk out with 100 dollars worth of unplanned merchandise (this has happened to me more than once...). 
So often we (okay, me) use our purchasing power to make us feel better after a stressful day or fight with our husband/boyfriend/friend. And then the shopping buzz wears off faster than our tension headache.
What we (okay, me again) often don't realize is that creative expression, and the process of making something from hand (aka actually interacting with the production of the "stuff" in our lives) provides us with a fulfilling outlet that trumps a shopping-high any day.
Plus we still end up with fancy loot.
Gee--this Mrs. Marple is certainly wearing off on me! Here I am going on and on about the virtuous of old-stuff-turned-new when you already know all of this.
So I'll stop talking. After all, I have a plain ivory tank top to convert into a fabulous ruffled number that my husband will undoubtedly glance right over without noticing the design genius.
But he might appreciate the financial savings...
Previous Related Posts:
Day 14: Alterations
Fall Project Preview (making a graphic t-shirt)
Nesting: Nurturing my Maternal Side (making a baby-quilt)
After talking yesterday about avoiding burnout, and the day before about pursuing creative beauty, Mrs. Marple wanted to make sure that we weren't under the false impression that fine living was all about bon bons and leisure time.
Because it isn't.
"Industry is required," she said. Not work-your-fingers-to-the-bone per se, but also not veg-on-the-sofa-watching-design-tv (Project Runway Yay!) either.
So taking her advice to heart, I've got a few projects-in-progress, like this smoke and gold dress.
Thankfully perfection isn't required along with diligence, because this dress has a way to go before it's public-ready. But at least I'm on my way to converting this purple Goodwill fabric remnant into a wearable garment.
I've also got a quilt-in-progress, although it's not nearly as far along as the dress. 
Square by square I'm plugging away on my sewing machine (yes--it's back. Finally.)
It is hard to picture now, but someday these squares are going to make my bed look marvelous.
That "someday" may be 2012, but who's counting?
Finally, I also have another sweater-in-progress.
What can I say? I'm a knitting maniac. And apparently a pink maniac too. 
But being a maniac is presumably not a bad thing if my mania is directed in a positive way. Or so says Mrs. Marple. After all, fine living doesn't just happen by accident. Or by bon bons.
Too bad, though. I really like bon bons.
Previous Days at the Institute:
Day 10: the Balancing Act (as told through vintage advertisements)
Day 4: a Cooking StudentDay 3: Starting in the Kitchen
Since the summer is formally wrapping up, I am preparing for my seasonal home design swap and project list.
Here are a few things I'll be working on to ease myself (and my home/wardrobe) into cooler days:
I'll be using these fabrics to change all of the throw pillows and blankets in my main living room. I love the varied patterns (houndstooth, plaid, lattice, lace) and seasonal colors. I'll make sure to post photos of the finished projects once they're complete!
This is the basket next to my bed. I have, for the record, three other baskets around the house that look similar to this, but that's another story. This basket contains some of my fall "yarns in waiting" and half-finished sock projects. I have my work cut out for me...
I'm also planning on undertaking the rather ambitious challenge of sewing a new quilted coverlet for my king-size bed. I'll be using these fabric swatches (and many, many others), in shades of rust and smoke. Seems fall appropriate, doesn't it?
All of the patching together will probably take me a lifetime, but maybe some caffeine and sewing-while-movie-viewing will speed the process.
Speaking of sewing, I need to make a dress for a fall wedding, and am trying to decide on the color... Steel gray? Rose petal pink? Smoky charcoal? The debate continues...
I've also been making a lot of jewelry lately, but have definitely started moving more toward earthy fall tones, like these espresso wooden beaded earrings I made this week.
They'll be raffled off tomorrow, so soon they'll adorn someone else's fall ensemble.
Finally, I've got yarn plans, people. Yarn plans. I want to knit a few pillows shams because it seems like a fabulously comfy texture for fall. And I've started yet another cardigan, only this time in tweedy dusty rose.
As you can see, I am going to be very busy as the sun sets on summer and autumn rolls in.
Just the way I like it.
What projects are you planning for the fall? Share your comments here!
PS: like my photography? You can check out more photos by visiting me on Flickr. Click here!
Previous Related Posts:
A Knitting Binge
Is It Fall Yet?
I Swore Never Again, part 2
