i need a bigger room

Before I show you the ridiculous amount of fun fabric I've accumulated over the past two weeks, I feel compelled to tell you this first: I very rarely buy *new* fabric. One, I can't bear (or afford) to pay the prices for the fabrics that I really love. And two, I much prefer the design and feel of many vintage fabrics. So almost all of my fabric is bought at yard sales, rummage sales, fabric sales and the like. I'm pretty sure that nearly 90% of my fabric purchases are made during the month of May. So there. Now that that little justification (purely for my own sanity, of course) is out of the way, here are the goods:

I can't stop myself from picking up vintage floral prints. I love them.

Stripes, checks and dots (that second one in is one of my favorites. Such great colors).

This pile of vintage plaid cottons makes me very happy. I love the feel of these soft cotton pieces. So many possibilities for clothing.

Jersey. I'm kind of loving jersey at the moment for shirts for me. And I KNOW I had something made out of that "how does your garden grow" as a child. Love it.

That orange floral print on the left is terry. 4 yards of it. I don't know quite what to do with it, but I love it a lot, and can't wait for an idea to come. The strawberry print on the far right is screaming out to be a skirt, don't you think? And the pink and green wool plaid? Definitely a dress for Lady A.

The juvenile prints. I know, the mod girl. So fun.

The home dec fabrics. Big florals. So great, and so many bags to be made.

And my favorite two pieces. I had a moment at one sale recently where I was consciously trying to look for things with different eyes...to find things I'm not normally drawn to (see vintage florals above!). And I looked down and saw these two. Love. That yellow would be such a great dress. or kitchen curtains! And the grey and pink print? It's got me really thinking about grey-pink color combinations now. Hmn..

Now...Um, where do I put all of this?!

Comments

[Kristy]

Some really great finds there.It would take me a few years to find all that over here!I love,love,love the red floral on the blue and white stripe background!

[lera]

Great finds! You seem to have the knack to find them ALL!

[larissa]

My God, the house print is so great! I'm a sucker for scenic fabrics with little houses, but I've never come across any pink ones.

[Karen]

LOL! You sound just like me! I agree - May is the month I accumulate the most too - of fabrics and other yard sale treasures. My friends and family threaten to stage an intervention and I panic trying to find a place to store it all so they can't say I told you so :-) I'm pretty sure I had something made from the 'how does your garden grow' as a child too!

[Anna]

I'm so jealous, you just don't find stuff like that in England, for some reason our 'charity shops' (thrift stores) don't seem to attract fabric and yard sales are unheard of over here.

Just 2 things I'm looking forward to on my growing list for when we finally make it to America!

[Clair]

now THAT is what i call a fabric stash lol! Stunning!

[deb]

just makes me drool looking at them all. :)

[Verónica]

I'm so jelous... your fabrics are beautiful!

here, in the thrift stores i can't found fabrics like that...

you are a lucky girl... *-*

[hannah]

how is that much cute fabric even available? amazing!! love it all!

[Erin]

What about making your baby a cozy cocoon bath wrap with that terry? Here's a picture:

http://www.cozycocoon.com/other.html

If I could find some cheap cool terry, that is what I would do!

[Anna]

Wowo, you scored!!!!

[HollyRhea]

You can put it in my closet. I'll "watch" it for you...

[Lizette]

I agree my friend. Vintage fabric has some life and stories to share. I can't get myself to buy new fabrics anymore. I take new fabrics in trades, but the most precious one are the ones that have been around... Also, jelous of your wonderful time with such amazing creative friends. Hugs to you all.

[Kelli]

No need to justify! This is great!

[scribblesnbits]

Under the foot of your sewing machine! I'll bet you barely got this posted before you started sewing up something fabulous! With fabrics as inspiring as that, I know I wouldn't be able to resist!!!!

[Rebecca]

I am so jealous of all that great fabric! And it may be a simple idea but I have plans to make myself a beach bag from terry cloth and use big grommets for rope handles. I am hoping to score a great vintage beach towel for this but ofcourse you never find anything specific at the trhift when you go looking for it. I can't wait to see all the things you make from these wonderful fabrics!

[Creative Kismet]

good eye! good eye!

[manda]

Oh wow!!! Sorry, I meant to say OH WOW!!!!! Now that's what I call fabric. I bow in deference to you, Queen of Thrifted Fabric (as you shall now be known).

[Jenn (knittyJenn)]

umm...hi. *waves* I know where you can store some of that!! lol. wow..

what a great fabric stash!! that's really all I can say. :)

..

[PinkPeanutButter]

I LOVE the fabrics! I too collect vintage fabrics but I am nowhere as lucky as you to find beautiful BRIGHT fabrics! Great find!

[momo]

Wow. What a colloction.
I really like the orange floral print.
so jealous of you. I wish I could go to those sales!!

[Janine]

I love the stripes, checks and dots, I am totally addicted to them, the paper kind though :)

[Amy]

This is some serious stash upgrading - what good karma you must have to find all this wonderful stuff -- I know you will do wonderful things with it all.

[Meg]

Wow, that's a fantastic collection. Much more fun than 'off the shelf', even though many of those are beautiful.

[mari]

amazing. beautiful. i need to yard sale more often, but here in tree-lined blue-skied suburbia, i *never* see stuff like this.
so inspiring. i'm happy for you this am!

[Alicia P.]

Ooof -- completely loving the pink and gray. You go girl.