FABRIC HAUL FROM SHOPPING TRIP
Last week we had a shopping trip in Newton Abbot and my hubby persuaded me to go to the haberdashery shop. I have resisted in the past because I knew what would happen! The shop is stacked to the ceiling with shelves with rolls of fabric and trimmings, and it’s all irresistible! There are also several bins stuffed with really cheap remnants, crafty bits and all sorts. It’s rummaging heaven… I’ve already got so much stash in my studio, but of course I came home with more…
This time I focused mainly on fabric remnants. I did buy a few oddments from the crafty bin, including some buckram and a strip of wide stiff fabric which may have been for pelmets. I’m never sure what these things will come in for, but it’s nice to know they are there and can be pulled out when required. I usually have something that will suit the current purpose.
We also visited a couple of charity shops. I bought a pair of pyjama bottoms and a white lace-trimmed top, both pure cotton, under £3 for both!
Striped fabric
I realised that I didn’t have much in the way of striped fabric in my stash. Some time ago I bought a short length of ticking from Ebay but I haven’t used it yet. This blue and white fabric was traditionally used for making pillows, being closely woven to stop the feathers from escaping. Ticking has enjoyed a revival recently in the crafting world – it has its own vintage charm.
The pink pyjama bottoms are a nice striped fabric, quite fine cotton. In the haberdashery stash, I bought some small pieces which I think were from fabric sample books, quite thick, obviously for furnishing. I also bought a waterfall-like sample piece of varying shades of neutral fabric. The problem with all these sample pieces was that they were stuck firmly with the strongest glue I’ve ever encountered! The separate pieces had a sort of frame of paper glued onto the back, and I managed to pull the top layer of paper away but even with soaking I couldn’t get it all off. In the end I thought it wasn’t worth the trouble – easier to waste an inch or so all round by simply cutting it off.
When taking garments apart, I have learnt that it is very much quicker just to cut the pieces apart beside the seam allowances. I used to spend time laboriously unpicking the seams and covering myself with bits, all for the sake of about half an inch of fabric all round! I have also learnt that I can keep the cut off seams and they make excellent tag toppers – really grungey!
Lace fabric
These pieces were all bits of lace curtains.
The white cotton top
This is very fine fabric, 100 percent cotton, with an interesting texture and pattern. The broad lace trim from the hem is absolutely gorgeous! You can see the bundle of cut-off seams as well.
The lace alone would probably have cost a few pounds to buy new, so I’ve got a real bargain here, with the striped pyjama bottoms too!
Tea dyeing
Most of this fabric is too bright white for my taste. I intend cutting some of it off and keeping it as-is, in case I want to use it in future, but everything else will be tea-dyed. I am not too sure how well the lace curtains will take the tea stain because they are nylon and non-absorbent, but we shall see. I shall dye the bundles of seams without unravelling them, to get a bit of a tie-dyed effect which should be interesting.
How to use these fabrics
The tough furnishing fabrics will do well for album covers. The more flimsy ones could be used for album page embellishments, and for making bags and neck purses etc. There is plenty to play with, anyway. Lace is always good for making embellishments – clusters and charms etc.
