Sale at Joann's

So...I bought 2 patterns. My Joann's was having a sale on Simplicity patterns for $1.99 each. I purchased:

I thought that this pattern was pretty cute and could be worn casually and as evening wear (am I crazy or can I really make this casual?). There are a lot of fabric suggestions on the back of the envelope varying in different weights (from crinkled gauze to a brocade - different much?). Just waging a guess, but I believe Simplicity agrees with me on the casual/evening wear front. You remember that red and white polka-dotted fabric I bought? Call me crazy but I would love to make this dress from that. I'd probably feel a lot like Minnie Mouse. Not to worry, I have the right ears for that. (Await future pics!)

This Steampunk Neo-Victorian skirt and bodice pattern is so lovely. I love the jacket and the bustle. I can't wait for Halloween time when I can wear this out (or in the comfort of my own home). Ah yes, I am already fantasizing about the satins or silks I can use. Perhaps in a nice deep navy? Yum. Pair that up with a pair of steampunk goggles and lace up boots and we've got something adorable. Does anyone else share a love of period clothing?

Happy crafting!
-Love, Janneth

Chanel-esque Jacket Swatches: It’s about time

Hello there, ladies and gents. Almost a month ago I ordered 4 different swatches of boucle for my Chanel inspired jacket. Originally my plan was to narrow down those 4 choices to 1 and go from there. Well, I’ve actually narrowed things down to 2 because I love them too much to narrow it down further. So, without further adieu, here are the chosen ones:

Lovely, aren’t they? I’ve ordered these swatches from Fashion Fabrics Club. Now I warn you, if you’re in a great hurry to get your fabrics delivered, you may have to pay a mint in shipping costs. Shipping within the US is $6.95 for regular shipping. If you want it expedited it can go up to $13, so beware. If you do go for regular shipping, it can take almost a month for your fabric to get to you. I ordered my swatches first and now I have to order my fabric. So that’s almost 2 months that you have to wait to start your project. If you are willing to wait, they have a lovely selection, prices for the fabrics themselves are reasonable, and sometimes you can score designer fabric for a steal. Some fabrics will have a swatch option that you can click on, otherwise, you can order the minimal amount (for most fabrics, minimal cut is 1/8 of a yard but for others expect to buy a full yard). There is a maximum of 4 swatches per order. This is the first time I’ve ever bought fabric online and I’m pretty pleased. Compared to $20 a yard for boucle at my local Joann’s, 5-6 dollars a yard is quite a steal.

Happy crafting!

-Love, Janneth