12 LUST-HAVE FABRICS TO GET YOUR PRINT ON

one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve

Hello my pretties! I am without camera lens / back up photographer this week so alas I cannot share a finished sewn piece with you. Instead I thought it might be a nice opportunity to give back in the very best way I know how…by handing over the keys to my favourite (inc. some previously top secret) online sources for jaw-dropping, traffic stopping printed fabrics. Through these shops I have lovingly ferreted (with minimal self-invested interest) to put together a selection of prints which are, in my opinion, top shelf, next level uh-mazing! Prints that are out there, for sale, right now. Just a click away. I should probably state that this is not a sponsored post. I am however, a professional enabler by trade.

Sometimes I get asked how and where I find amazing printed fabrics? It is true, I have developed a finely tuned print seeking radar. But believe me, it’s not a special skill. ANYONE can hone it! Since I started buying fabric online, I’ve built up a mental treasure trove of pretty print hot spots. It’s a pretty random list of sources but it’s always fruitful. Most of these shops (listed below) have a high turnover so I like to ‘check in’ once a week. No need to obsess. The prints are out there. And they will come.

Etsy is my not-really-secret source of amazing prints! I would guess that the craft supplies section on Etsy is as huge as the hand-made section. To get to the fabrics, you type in what you’re searching for ie ‘printed silk’ and you will be able to select from a list of categories, one of which is ‘Craft Supplies and Tools’, then narrow your search further by selecting ‘Fabrics’. Sometimes you do have to wade through quite a bit of meh fabric to find some print gems, but it makes them all the more sweeter!

Etsy Shops

Other Online

18/08/2014

Makers In The Wild // A Weekly Round-Up

Sew Inspired

This week had me frothing at the mouth! And not due to cake over-indulgence but the explosion of inspiring makes coming from our little corner of the interwebs. It was another print-happy week in the sewing blogosphere, starting with 1// this gorgeous Eucalypt tank by B.Yazoo! I may, just may, have a couple of yards of this poly crepe de chine on its way, by pure co-incidence, I assure! 2// Working out never looked so good. Could not love Mokosha’s two-piece floral short and crop set more! Surely, wearing florals while you work out would take at least some of the pain out of it. 3// LOVING Megan’s latest version of her own pattern, the Eucalypt Dress. Something about that fabric with that exposed zipper = pure pretty. The rest of Megan’s face is also lovely by the way…her cropping not mine! 4// A solid! Katie’s made herself not one but three pairs of cute and practical pleated pants. That’s commitment right there. And she has a super handy tip for repairing broken zippers, good to remember next time you want to rip the whole thing out in a rage, as some people like to do. But not me. Definitely not me…

…hand-made loveliness around the globe…

04/08/2014

MAKERS IN THE WILD // A Weekly Round-Up

Sew Inspired

It’s getting hot in here! And by here I mean the sewing blogosphere. This week’s fav’s: 1//Another Alder dress to love by Laney from Katy and Laney. This time the gathered waist version in metallic cotton…swoon! I love the little extra length that she added to the hem too. Practical and pretty. 2//Did you see Novita’s oh so pretty version of the humble Scout tee? The fabric you might recognise from this dress, in this fun multi-color colorway. Annnnd she whipped up another scout + two pairs of Papercut Anima pants to go with, one of which took out the ‘Short length’ prize in the recent Anima pants competition. On Fyeeerrrr! 3// You’re probably all over Marie’s blog, A Stitching Odyssey, already but in case you’re not familiar, this glorious emerald tribal sateen number belongs to her! And I think you’ll agree this is a spectacularly flattering dress. 4// I was so excited to see this make pop up in my feed this week. It’s Katie, again, in a self-drafted swimsuit that I want to steal and am desperately hoping (badgering) that she is going to release a pattern or a tutorial for?! With cherries on top, Katie, with CHERRIES!

…hand-made loveliness around the globe…

27/07/2014

MAKERS IN THE WILD // A WEEKLY ROUND-UP

Sew Inspired

Not that there is ever a ‘dull’ week but some are particularly spectacular. Or should I say frocktacular! Did you see this fiesta-in-a -dress that is 1// Rachel’s birthday get-up? Complete with a boned bodice & beautiful hand-made strap details, I am awed. Totally and utterly. 2// With matching sets on the brain, it’s no surprise I fell in love with Clare’s version of the Martini Dress pattern which is actually a one-piece ensemble disguised as a two-piece. The fact that it’s made with curtaining only elevates its chic factor. 3// I just discovered Anne’s hand-makes along with this lovely striped number. Would never have picked it as a Renfrew tee hack! 4// Okay, so this right here is summer in a dress! Pineapple print: check. Alder pattern: check. I assumed I would make the gathered version of the Alder (on it’s way) but consider me officially wooed by this straight through version by Avocado Halve.

…hand-made loveliness around the globe…

23/07/2014

SEE IT SEW IT // CO-ORDS

Sew Inspired

1. left // centre // right// 2. left // centre // right// 3. left // centre //right

Two piece sets, or ‘Co-ords’ is another 90’s revival trend and a whole stinkin lot of fun. Twice as much to be exact. And what is fashion, if not fun and a chance to try new things, experiment and play dress up?! While this print on print resurgence is all looking a little ‘Clueless’, thankfully co-ords have evolved from tartan midriff skirt-suits into something hotter & more wearable. If you’re a fellow print lover, this takes print appreciation to a whole new level! And I’m kind of hoping by the end of this post, I might have inspired some two-piece-set company…

If it’s not fun, it’s not fashion. Stick that on a t-shirt.

Sophie + monday night + glass of red.

Apart from looking pretty, two-piece sets are actually kinda genius. In any closet. But especially a hand-made one. You know all those agonising decisions over whether to use that fabric you love almost as much as the humans around you, to make a top or bottom? Aha, make both! With some thoughtful planning, you end up with two wearable pieces in your closet which means, wait, let me do the maths…TWICE as many options. And yes, wearing them together is wild and dangerous but if you decide it’s not for you, (after test-driving of course) you’ve still got two banging new separates!

1// Kimono Jacket + Jimmy shorts 2// Veste Bernadette + Tap Shorts 3// Nettie Bodysuit + Mabel Skirt 4// Belcarra blouse +Tania Culottes

The other reason to get excited about co-ords is unlike most trends, it’s not body shape specific. You can literally stick any top and bottom pattern you know and love together and voila, you gots yourself a set! I also like that you can make this trend your own according to your personal style. If hard edge, high fashion mid-riff bearing sets aren’t your thing, co-ords also look perfectly set-acular in softer silhouettes and floaty fabric.

Ada Spragg // SEE IT SEW IT // Two-piece Sets

5//Hannah Top + Lumme Skirt 6// Rigel Bomber + Hudson Pant 7// Simplicity 1366 + Maritime Shorts 8// Simplicity 1366 + Charlotte Skirt.

Okay, you’re almost convinced, I can tell. So, if anything goes and there are a million and one combinations, where does one start? I’ve conducted some heavy research (trawling Pinterest) and put together these examples of silhouettes that just work together as sets. Along with some corresponding sewing patterns! But of course there are many more options. The only rule, more of a suggestion really, is to not throw your own personal set of style ‘rules’ out the window in pursuit of two-piece fabulousness. Things you’d normally consider when sewing like what you love / loathe to wear, what suits and what you feel good in. That said, this could be the perfect opportunity to experiment with new shapes and styles.

Hard edge, mid-riff bearing sets not your thing? Co-ords also work set-acularly in softer fabrics and floaty shapes.

Here’s the thing, bloggy friends. I made one set. Then I made another. And another. And seeing as I’d be lying if I said that was going to be the last, all signs are pointing to a…TWO-PIECE SET-ACULAR! I’m hoping that some of you are, no wait, I KNOW that some of you are crazy enough to join me. If you still need a little more evidence / inspiration, I’ve been filling up a Pinterest board here. And, if you want to play along and post your finished sets / inspiration / progress shots on Instagram, the hashtag is #twopiecesetacular. Since nothing says fiesta like a grab button, here’s one I prepared earlier…