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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

My Favorite Vacation Momento

One of my favorite things to do whenever I travel is to shop for fabric. I love coming home with a new treasure, and once the piece has been made into something new, I get to wear the memory of my trip.

Believe it or not, antique stores can be a great resource for fabric. There's a little shop in Galveston called Somewhere In Time where I typically find a new treasure...or 2 ;) The shop owner has an eye for vintage fabrics, trims, sewing notions, as well as quilt blocks. 

On this trip, I found this fabulous gold and black piece for $5.00. It's an upholstery remnant. Those of you who have followed the blog for sometime know that I LOVE the Home Dec department. You can find the most interesting pieces, so make it a part of your shopping experience. The black areas of the fabric are chenille like, but I think it will pair beautifully with black velvet. 


Not exciting, but a great bargain, 4 yards of chambray for $8.00. I initially thought of doing a shirt for my husband, and I still may. 

         

But the piece below that I saw while in Galveston has me so inspired, so I may just decide to stretch at least some of the fabric and do a little painting. Hey, at $2.00 a yard, a little creative endeavor is worth it.


A must stop on any trip to Houston is High Fashion Fabrics. On this trip, I had the luxury of spending all the time I wanted as no one was waiting for me. I saw lots of beautiful pieces, but I ended up buying just this piece of metallic knit. Our Haute Couture Club will be viewing the Mainbocher Exhibit at the Chicago History Museum for our annual holiday party. Our workshop chairman wants us to make up the Ginger Jeans from Closet Case Files and wear them to the event. I'm making a pair of black jeans and I wanted to dress them up a bit, so I thought this piece would do the trick. 


I met a friend for lunch on Saturday. Another restaurant that I especially enjoy is called Shade and it's in what was at one time the downtown area of The Heights until it was incorporated into Houston. The area has retained it's charm with antique stores and vintage shops. My friend walked in with a bag, but I assumed she had been shopping. After she sat down, she said that she had been going through her fabric and had decided that there were pieces that she would never use. She went on to tell me that she thought 2 pieces were something I would enjoy, so presents!!!!

The first piece is a gorgeous piece of cobalt blue silk with  copper flowers and vines. 


While I was at High Fashion Fabrics, I took the time to shop around for fabric colors that I would like to line the piece with and I just may do a jacket with a copper lining. If you look below, the centers of the flowers are calling, at least to me ;), for beads, so this may end up being a beading project as well.


The second piece is another piece of silk. 
  

I love the geometric aspect of the embroidery. I have no idea of what I would like to do with this piece, so I think I will let it sit on my dress form and see if it speaks to me. You know, fabric can talk!!! If you have any ideas, I'm up for suggestions too!


Another friend gifted me 2 fabulous pieces of plaid that make my Celtic heart sing! There's enough of the red plaid for a ballgown, but I think I will keep it simple. I'm loving all the plaid pieces that everyone is showing for the fall/winter season. 


This piece has really grown on me. It has a mustard gold back ground with red, black and white in the plaid. This piece may end up not being used in a traditional manner. 


So this picture is looking a little more realistic of what I looked like on my way home!!! If it were, can you imagine the baggage fees?!!!


Have a wonderful day and I hope you get a little time to sew :) 
   

25 comments:

  1. Love them all, but especially the plaids if used for a ball gown. Big skirt---black velvet top---dancing the night away.

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    1. I was thinking maybe a coat out of the plaid and mixing it with a black lace dress. We'll see once I get ready to cut into it 😊

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  2. Wow, fabulous finds. I love, love that mustard plaid! It's so unusual and striking. I can't wait to see what you do with it. And I love shopping the home dec department too. Your new chenille piece is incredible. Have fun!

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    1. When I first saw the mustard plaid, I thought, "I don't know." Then I looked again and the piece really began to grow on me. Now I love it. I was even thinking about mixing it with black lace. As for the chenille piece, I just couldn't leave it behind!

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  3. What beautiful fabrics. I love the first one. It would look fabulous with velvet. The cream silk with the embroidered squares is stunning. What about something with quite structured sleeves. Xx

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    1. You and I are kinda on the same page. I was thinking structures and then playing around with the idea of squares. Something will come to me 😉

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  4. What treasures you have arrived home with!!

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  5. The upholstery piece is splendid. Would the black areas be considered flocking? Coming up to the perfect time of year for a skirt like that!

    Welcome home!

    *hugs*
    Kelley

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    1. The black area really isn't flocked. But it will work beautifully with black velvet. All kinds of ideas are running through my head. It's a pretty enpty head so there's plenty of room 😄

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  6. Beautiful fabrics. To me the white embroidered piece would be perfect for spring.

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    1. It may very well wait until spring. But I was thinking about some possible quilting.

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  7. Is that white fabric silk dupioni? I love the added geometric aspect to that piece. As for the plaid... one of my favorite and most worn holiday "gowns" was a plaid taffeta ball gown skirt topped with a strapless black velvet top with a trim of dyed ostrich feathers, and spaghetti straps for safety out of the plaid. Unlike most dressy pieces, this one got lots of wear. Daughter wore it once to a formal Christmas party, and granddaughter wore it once to some formal awards banquet. Once it started showing wear, I salvaged the plaid taffeta and made a Shams "tablecloth" skirt, and it has made its rounds through the women of the family once again. Nothing like holiday plaid! Can't wait to see what you do with all that gifted yardage.

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    1. The geometric piece is silk dupioni. A beautiful piece of fabric. The more I think about it, I really want to do something very geometric with it. I love the idea of the added feathers to a plaid gown. what fun!

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  8. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! Thanks for letting us travel with you...I haven't had a needle in my hand for days (in the midst of work deadlines), so am having withdrawals, but seeing those plaids reminded me that I have some wool yardage Gramma gave me years ago that I need to look for soon. LOVE that plaids are "in." Aren't they always? Thanks again for sharing.

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  9. All wonderful pieces Rhonda, and I'm loving your ideas so far. I'm sure you will make them all into something not only beautiful but very appropriate to your life. Enjoy!

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  10. Welcome home Rhonda I love the fabrics but most of all I'm glad that you found peace
    doing the right thing by laying the headstone. I think the dove is gorgeous, my partner died sometime ago (we were planning our wedding) when my time comes doves will be released over our grave.
    Hope the coming months top up your peace bank.
    Lucy ~ England

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  11. I had a piece similar to your yellow plaid and I made a pleated skirt with it. I loved it, a lot of work, full on pleats all around, and the skirt took a full 3 yards of fabric, but I was so proud of it.

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  12. You're mad. I bet the one thing you really, really need is more fabric........
    I love the black and gold brocade - I'm off to the curtain shop this weekend! What a stunning evening skirt that would make.
    As for the ivory silk, a detailed neck/collar paired with a simple shift dress. Actually pretty similar to your draping. Maybe https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v9112 or off the shoulder https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8630. Perhaps a more structured dress like this https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1239
    Whatever you do it will be fabulous and will inspire and encourage the rest of us.

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    1. It isn't a matter of "need." :)
      Love all of your suggestions. The first dress would give the fabric a much more casual feel. Great for summer.

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  13. Some lovely pieces there for sure!

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  14. Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. And showing fabric draped so wonderfully is a treat.

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  15. Wow, wow, and wow! What finds!!! Isn't it fun to find the unexpected. The silk geo embroidery says jacket to me, with some pleated tucks near the neckline, no collar, short. The cobalt blue and beads - YES! I like plaids, also. One year for the holidays I made a cute red plaid vest, black satin lined. I loved it - my brother thought I looked like a bartender. Oh, well! Thanks, Rhonda, for sharing all your great ideas!

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  16. Your creativity always inspires me. All those options work.

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