NYT article - Mendel Fabrics

From the March 10, 2011 New York Times.

The New York times is running a series of articles about the New York Garment District. The most recent entry ran in today's paper and it looks at Mendel Goldberg Fabrics. It also has an accompanying slide show.

If you haven't been reading Lindsay T's Shop the Garment District, you are missing out. And I haven't even been to the NY garment District in years decades.

Thank you, After the Dress! and Journey to Los Angeles

Last Thursday morning, I heard some great news! I had won the After the Dress 600th blog post give-away! I have a $60 gift certificate to Gorgeous Fabrics! Thank you, Gwen. I will post about my purchase and my projects. I've been reading Gwen's blog since 2009, I think. I always enjoy reading her Talk Back Thursday posts which allow an opportunity to learn how other sewists would handle a sewing challenge or situation.

I learned that I won this wonderful prize right before I left on a road trip to Los Angeles for some dance workshops. I left 2 hours later than I wanted to, but I made good time. I recommend listening to audio books. I borrowed an Elmore Leonard novel (Gold Coast) from the library and it really helped the miles fly by on highway five. Don't listen to Elmore Leonard with young children in the car (well, unless you want to warp their brains)--I'm sure that Leonard was a strong influence on Quentin Tarantino.

I had a great time in Los Angeles. I managed to make it to the Fabric District twice. On Friday, I went to the FIDM Scholarship store and purchased several lengths of fabric ($1 yard) while having a conversation with two students. I also managed to go to their museum and saw the exhibition of Motion Picture Costume Design (note--there is a free bathroom in the museum on the first floor behind the "Last Airbender" display).

I drove to the Fabric District (if there is no construction, it's a straight shot on 9th to District). I parked in the lot on S. Wall Street above Mike's Fabrics--Sherril on PR said it was the cheapest and she was right ($3.25 on weekdays and $5, I think, on weekends).

I bought some Hawaiian print fabric (3 pieces--shirt and dress lengths) from Islands Fabrics (which is next to Mike's Fabrics). I had to get some Hawaaiian print fabrics after seeing the Alfred Shaheen exhibit at the SJ quilt museum last fall (and after making a great blouse from some red Hawaiian print fabric from a BABES swap). I also went to the Michael Levine Loft ($2.50/a pound. Prices have increased from $2/a pound in December 2010). At the loft, I bought some great knits, including grey double knit that I later saw in the ML retail store at $9/yard. I also bought some tribaley-style print knits. I browsed at another store to get some sewing chalk/fabric markers, and a hip-curve (I should have waited until I got to LA Alex/Kashcools, because it was the hip-curve ruler was $3 cheaper) and then I headed back to the hotel for a workshop.

On Saturday, I lost some time, because of traffic detours in down town LA (I think that they schedule all the construction/heavy equipment stuff for weekends). I went to B. Black, which has nice woolens and menswear fabrics, but I didn't buy anything because I have enough in my stash, already. Since time was tight, I went to the Michael Levine main store (I managed to park in their tiny store lot which allows 1 hour of free parking with purchase, then $3 for every 10 minutes). I bought a skirt length of a vivid purple/black buffalo plaid (rayon blend?), pants length (I think) of brown rayon, and more knits (dress-length black double knit, blouse lengths of stripes and animal prints). I was also able to caress and pet the Liberty Tana lawns (they are behind a locked case). At $35 a yard, I did not buy any (I didn't have a project in mind). Unfortunately, Michael Levine doesn't swatch Liberty fabrics. After touching Liberty lawn, quilting cotton feels like sandpaper. Sigh. After purchasing what I needed/wanted, I headed back to the hotel in el Segundo to attend the dance workshops.

Right now, I think that I no longer have the urge to shop at the LA Fashion District because I feel that I've missed something. That said, if you have ever have the chance to go, do take a look around. Do try a bacon wrapped hot-dog with a cold soda (it's more refreshing than it sounds). If you are not looking for something specific, I think that the Michael Levine Loft is a good place to go for fabric (you will never know what you will find). One day when I go to LA, I'll even make it to Santee Alley where they actually sell clothing and other goods, but I think that I'm good for at least another year. I still putting this stuff away.

[pictures to be added later]

Pretty fabric, what to make?

I'm asking for ideas. Sorry for the wrinkles-- this is straight from the shopping bag to the clothes line the largest display space I could find.

I bought this fabric from Fabrics R Us on San Jose. This piece is 5 panels long (a little longer than 3 1/2 yards), 60 inches wide. The white floral sections are an almost square-- 23 by 22 1/2 inches ( 58.5 by 57 cm) with a 3 inch (7.5 cm) border lengthwise (6 inches (15 cm) between motifs) and 3 inches crosswise. It's a woven, not a knit--fiber content unknown. The fabric is thin and drapey. Maybe a blouse? Or doing the squares on the bias, or maybe creative piecing or color blocking?

I admit, I bought this in another colorway (royal purple) earlier this season. That piece is still in the stash. that I'm delusional. I checked my stash and I must have been imagining the purple colorway. I love the bright colors. Orange/coral is going to be a big color for spring.

"But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

Martin Luther King, Jr. August 28, 1963

Please let the transition continue to be peaceful.

investigating retail

I think that I haven't set foot in an American clothing store in over a year. I do read a number of blogs (sewing blogs and style blogs) though. I saw this lovely skirt from White House, Black Market (a clothing store) and I thought that I would use it for inspiration. I like the fabric with a floral pattern: it's a border print with ombre-shading, running with the light colors at the hem and the darker colors at the waist. The waist also features lovely sapphire blue piping (!), which picks up the blue accents in fabric. It's really lovely and not overdone.

And then I checked out the back view, which unfortunately suffers from poor pattern placement. Does anyone notice this other than people who sew?

I like the overall idea, though, and I love the piping. It's the Floral Print Pencil Skirt, Style: 570014730

planning for a long weekend

January is turning into the month of de-stashing and de-cluttering. I've entered the PR stash contest-and I'm currently at 1.75 yards, so I haven't been sewing. I did manage to go through my stash and identify materials I will not use. I managed to bring 3 boxes of crafty trim and knitting stuff to a BABES meeting (BABES - a group of local sewists). I also gave some stuff to my co-worker who is going to send them to his sisters who quilt (and live in Iowa). I did manage to acquire more fabric. I carpooled to the BABES meeting with a friend who had never been to Happy Stop, so I had to introduce her to Simon. I managed to leave with a modest 9 yards: two lengths suitable for trousers or sheath dresses, and one blouse length.

I was unable to locate the key to the lock in my storage unit, so my luggage has been in my bedroom for the past month. I've been very annoyed while walking around it every morning. I've also spent several nights each week looking for the key without success. One the tech guys at work told me that they had some bolt cutters! I borrowed them and I cut the lock on my storage unit. My luggage is out of my apartment and locked away (with a combination lock--the combination is taped to my fridge). Since January 1, I've probably (re) gained more floorspace, probably a 3 by 4 foot patch. It's small, but it's progress!

While I was going through my stash, I came across several UFOs, including 3 unfinished pairs of Jalie 2909 trousers. They were neatly packed away in zip bags in various stages of completion. My goal during this long weekend is finish at least 1 pair. I'm laundering some stash fabric, so I can make another Simplicity 3684 blouse. If I can make two garments this weekend, I'll be very happy

I'm also laundering some stash fabric from a previous BABES meeting.

01-01-11 and 09-2010-121

I could not resist posting on such an auspicious day-it's quite binary! I've been working at home while watching the SyFy channel's Twilight Zone marathon.

I have sewn one garment: the BurdaStyle 09-2010-121 turtleneck top. When I organized my stash yesterday, I came across a purple/white/grey/black animal knit print that I purchased last February at Michael Levine's Loft in Los Angeles. It's a nice bright colored pattern which I think is suitable for winter in Northern California. I managed to use about half of the piece of fabric - about 1 and 3/4 yards, so I'm off to a good start for the PatternReview contest. I had to enlarge the pattern (Burda's pattern goes up to a size 44 and I am larger), and add a FBA (which meant that I added a dart). It's really funny, I didn't worry at all when doing the alterations--I just measured the pattern flat, measured me and pulled out my Real Fit for Real People and I made the changes. It was a very smooth process.

I finished the neckline using Summerset's suggested technique, which ensures that the turtleneck remains folded while wearing it. I made three other versions last weekend and I'm consider this pattern a TNT. PatternReview has 17 reviews already--I haven't added mine yet and I can see why it's popular.