Fabric Shopping - Part 2

Thanks to my bloggy friends, I'm "in the know" about Internet sites that sell fabric, and I'm looking forward to perusing those sites this weekend.  I know I'll be needing to use them in the future.  Thanks to all of you for your tips and encouragement!

I'm happy to report my quest for baby quilt fabric came to a happy conclusion.  Thursday is the only weeknight that Mill House Quilts (http://www.millhousequilts.com/)  is open in the evening.   My sweetie pie drove me there, and we were helped by two very friendly and knowledgable staff.  Gone were the crowds of Saturday.  In fact, I was the only customer!  It was a nice relaxing atmosphere.

I was still befuddled about how to convert the amounts of fabric from jelly rolls and charm packs to good old-fashioned fabric off the bolt.  The ladies not only scurried around the store rounding up 20 or more bolts that might work.  (We had a pile of bolts that was about to avalanche!) They then helped me weed out the fabrics that didn't work. They double checked my yardage calculations.   Some of the fabrics are 1930s prints, but not all.  Some are in softer pastel shades that compliment the more colorful prints of dogs and polka dots, etc. 

After our shopping trip, Sweetie and I had a prime rib dinner in Waunakee.  We visited over a nice glass of wine and good food.  We both took a sizable slab of meat home for Friday's lunch.  NUM!

Speaking of NUM!  Aren't these fabrics delectable???

Food Fabric

My sister has the nicest MIL - her name is Bernie.  Whenever we visit, Bernie joins the fun.  In addition to having my sister and her family in common, Bernie enjoys sewing and assembles quilt tops for her church - so we always find plenty to talk about.  After seeing pics of my food/picnic quilt (http://quilt-talk.blogspot.com/2010/05/picnic-quilt-finish.htmlnie), Bernie set aside these fabrics and a pattern for me.  She'd made a wall hanging for her daughter's kitchen, and found she had more food fabric than needed.  Next time we visit she's invited me to come to her place to look over some of her patterns and such. I'm looking forward that in the future.  :)

To Prewash or Not?

Picked up a couple fat quarters and was SOOOO tempted to just cut them up and start sewing.  I've heard  there's no need to prewash with today's modern dyes.  But old habits die hard; I was trained to prewash no matter what.  It often  proves to been an unnecessary step - but not today!  

Fabric & Flowers

Two of my favorite things!  Found my focal fabric at last.  Now I can work some color variations into my squares. Below are some of my real flowers.

 

Bunnies, Binding & Backing

Went in search of binding and backing.  This pink with tiny brown dots shouted, "Pick me!  Pick me!"  So I did!

Being somewhat lazy, I try to select a backing for whatever holiday/season comes next.  That way I don't have redecorate....I can just turn the table topper over, and swap out a knick-knack or two.  I hope you can see the fabric. These bunnies were too cute to pass up. I also like the old-timey look and feel.

Got the chocolate-y Valentine wreath for 40% off.  Lots of good sales goin' on at Joann's!

Fabrics and Findings

Red and lime green plaid?  Who'da thunk? 

But I like it!  So I bought some to border my little Christmas tree quilt.  Also found  pointsettia "findings" for 50 cents a pack. 

Then I spied the panel below.  The cows caught my eye.  I'm fond of bad jokes (I herd the bells....), so I had to buy it.  The lady next to me at the cutting table liked it so much, she bought some too! 

It's meant to be a set of placemats.  A Christmas gift for 2010?

On Being Thankful

Here's a fabric that warms my heart: Friends, Family, Giving, Celebration, Bounty, Hope, Harvest, Life, Health, Love, Beauty, Generosity, Inspiration. 

What beautiful images these words bring to mind.  But I think the fabric designer must have run out of ideas at some point...because it also says: Cool, Crisp.  Makes me think of tossed salad! LOL.

Still, I love the sentiment and colors.  Will use this fabric for a harvest themed table runner.

Meanwhile, I found this fabric.  WHAT does one do with one lonely little fat quarter of golf fabric? I'd love some suggestions!


 

Decisions, Decisions...

I laid out my prospective projects to take inventory...only to discover many of them have food related themes:  Kitchen-y prints, Chocolates, Tex-Mex. I'm also planning on making a summer picnic quilt that features a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. 

At least, thank goodness, the last one is a seasonal image that does not involve food at all.  Here are my options:

Chocolate.Kitchen Stuff.Tex Mex.I may change one cardinal to a yellow female.  But will probably wait to begin this one until after the holidays.