Sewbussted's Material Witness/Fishman's Fabrics, Chicago's Premier Fabric Store

Today is National Drink Tea Day! How perfect, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy a brand new episode of Sewbussted Material Witness! If you prefer coffee, that's okay too ;)

I found this interview to be especially interesting and inspiring. So many of us watch as fabric store after fabric store closes, and of course we fear the worse...where will we be able to find fabric? Many have turned to the internet, but it's just not the same as being able to go into a store and become intoxicated by everything we see. 

Fishman's has been a resource for couture fabrics for over 100 years. Here you will find 80 shades of Bemberg lining, always at $10.00 per yard. 

They also carry 38 shades of silk charmuese, a must lining in any couture garment.

A little over one half of the store is devoted to clothing fabrics,

With an entire wall of woolens for bespoke men's wear. 

In the video, you'll learn that they even offer more, a free swatch service, unique fabrics from Italian manufacturers, and re-orderable fabrics. 



As you enter the store, there is a wall devoted to the history of Fishman's, featuring the impact that the store has had on Chicago as well as the life of so many who have entered through the front door.

And finally, a tribute to Gregg's father, Jerry Fishman, a wonderful man who made everyone who entered the store feel as though they were the most important person in the world. In the video you'll learn why he is pictured in an airplane. 

I hope you've enjoyed this episode of Sewbussted Material Witness :)

Rhonda 

Sewbussted's Material Witness Episode 2/The Fabric Nook

I just could not be more excited!!! The second episode of Sewbussted's Material Witness is up and it was so much fun to do. I think...I hope...you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

In the preliminary video, I shared that I wanted to combine flying and interviews. I did not fly to this location. Granby, Colorado is nestled in the Rocky Mountains. I have had a little mountain flying instruction, but only a little. Flying in the mountains, especially the Rocky Mountains, is quite different from flying at lower altitudes in a small airplane. 

The Fabric Nook is owned by a lovely lady, Tina Holley. In my opinion, her store is truly the gem of not only the town, but the entire county.   

The store has a very interesting history, which you'll hear in the video, and I think you'll enjoy meeting a sewist with a rich history all her own. 



What I love most about Tina's story is that she stepped out, and took a chance at her dream. Once she made that step, she has not looked back, and her excitement is contagious!  

We mentioned the original wood floors. As you walk through the store, you can't help but feel the history.

The Fabric Nook is the ONLY place where you can find a zipper in the entire county.

We also mentioned that Tina participated in the Row By Row Quilting Experience. Below is a picture of "Through The Aspen." A few kits are still available and if by chance you would like to order one, you can find the Fabric Nook HERE. Just scroll down and you'll find the kit! 

Thanks so much for stopping by. With each video, I've learned a little more. I'm excited for the next!!!

If you ever find yourself in Colorado, by all means, stop by and see Tina. She'll be so happy to meet you, and she'll make you feel right at home :) 

The Grainline Travel Set Duffle Bag

Until I started working on the Grainline Studio Portside Travel Set for Sew News, I had no idea how much fun it could be. As I said last week, I am now addicted to making the little dopp bags. They are fast, easy to make, and they are so cute once finished. Guess what my husband is getting for Christmas. Shhh, don't tell him ;) I've watched how he looks at the 2 that I have made so far and I can tell that he would really like to have one, but doesn't want to ask. So it will be a nice surprise unless he reads this post!!!

In the inspiration post I did a few weeks back, I showed you how the sky is really the limit when it comes to making your own duffle bag. It can be sleek and sophisticated, or as unique as the one I showed you that was made out an old coffee sack. 

I purchased the fabric below at a little shop here in Chicago called The Needle Shop. It's a small shop, but they have some wonderful pieces. The embossed faux leather was a piece that I purchased at a home dec store in Houston, Texas. If you are ever in Houston, be sure to check out some of the home dec fabric stores as they are amazing. Home dec fabric stores can be a great fabric resource for bags, coats, jackets and even skirts.

The Portside duffle bag is well designed and I especially like the fact that you are instructed to stitch over the webbing and create handles. If really gives the hand a break when carrying the bag.

The bag also features a great side pocket, perfect for storing things that you need quickly, like a boarding pass. And you'll see that creating the pocket is an absolutely no fail process. I really like no fail processes :)

In this week's sew along post, we are putting the duffle bag together. As you can see, it's basically a layering process, so it goes together very systematically, i.e., no fail!  

If you choose a fabric with a pattern, it's really quite easy to keep the pattern aligned as you insert the zipper.

You can find this week's sew along post HERE on the Sew News blog. And if you have not picked up your pattern, you can find it HERE.
Happy Sewing!
Rhonda