Ravelry's Quilting Group has a 2015 challenge I'm NOT joining. Don't get me wrong; I LOVE the idea of using up stash. I love even more the idea of spending less money on more stash. But I don't think I could go a year without buying more fabric. Heck, I'm not sure I can go a month without buying more fabric!
And good thing, too, because just this side of the new year, I found the Stonehenge Earth Rhythms fabric collection I'd been lusting over ever since seeing it in a quilting magazine last year. It seriously reminds me of The Wave and other great rock formations I've photographed over the years. The fabric was on clearance. I have no idea yet what I'm going to make with it, but I'm SO happy to add it to my stash! It will become something beautiful one day. I promise!
I couldn't resist when I found what must have been the last gradient jelly roll anywhere, and of course, on clearance. I had no clue what I'd do with it when I bought it, but I couldn't pass up the incredible price. Once the collection arrived in the mail, I considered another jelly roll jumper...
...but there aren't enough of the strips I like best. And of course, I can't get more now! I'm considering adding strips I cut myself of white or black or perhaps even an all-around blue. Or maybe shimmery silver gray (which I would have to buy)... I set the strips I'd like to use in a dress out on turquoise fabric I already have to get a feel for how that would look, but didn't like how the turquoise robbed attention from the other colors. White looks really good and doesn't detract, but white in a dress for me is not such a good idea. Black looks great, too, but I'm not sure I want to go that route. But see? I did try to fill in the gaps with fabric I already own.
When I bought the jelly roll, I also found the last two yards of gradient turquoise. This fabric wasn't on sale, but it's turquoise. Might as well be a big, neon sign saying, "Buy me!" I took a chance it might be enough fabric for a jumper and bought it, too. I love jumpers because I can wear them with T-shirts in summer and turtlenecks in autumn, winter and spring.
The turquoise jewel is just a few inches shy of the pattern I wanted to make, but I remembered another jumper pattern I haven't used in quite a while: "Hill Country Jumper" by Mary Wolz. This pattern doesn't require as much fabric as my go-to jumper pattern, so maybe it might work!
I bribed myself I could make the jumper after I finish the applique stage of my special project quilt. I finished the applique stage of the quilt top after 36 hours of tedious stitching.
Time to make a new jumper!!!
I've never made the Hill Country Jumper with bird houses as shown on the pattern, but I made it many, many years ago with lizards...
...and another one with snowflake photos I printed on fabric myself.
So of course, I have to have ANOTHER applique jumper... this time with crocheted snowflakes!!! How could I resist appliqueing a few more snowflakes so I can stylishly wear them next time it snows... TODAY! (We're supposed to get 22 inches tomorrow!!!)
That was fun! I'm so glad I bought that bolt end fabric! Now I can get serious about quilting the special project. Unless I find more temptations...
I recently found a collection of Bali Crackers in Valentine hues on deep discount. I don't typically buy pre-cuts; I'd rather buy the whole yard and have the remnants for my patchwork quilts. But I've made my share of breast cancer awareness quilts, and I've got a few more on the burner, and pink is always a welcome addition to my collection. It will get used.
Not only did this luscious collection include pinks, but it has more shades of purple than I've ever owned in my life, and I cannot wait to dive into my busting-at-the-seams purple collection now! Bonus, bonus, bonus! I'm definitely going to have to get my hands on one of these collections in blue...
See, there I go again. I can't stop. And as long as I purchase wisely, which I think I do, I don't mind. I think this song was even written specifically about me!!!
Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts.
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I don't sew that much but I love fabric also. Stay warm and don't send any of that snow to SC!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll keep it all to myself, Charlotte! It's about time to do a little more snow-dyeing!
Deletehaha you may be a bit addicted, but addicted wisely isn't such a bad thing
ReplyDeleteJust think, Pat... If all the fabric dries up or the economy tanks or the world ends, I've got plenty of fabric to last through the coldest winter! ;)
DeleteAwesome jumpers! Wish I wore clothes. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, Marigold, I think you'd look gorgeous in a bow!
DeleteWhen you figure out what to do the Stonehenge, tell me. I got some on sale too and we all know that the only thing better than more fabric is more SALE fabric.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more, Jill! Sale fabric knows my name and calls me regularly!
DeleteMaybe I should search to see what others are doing with their Stonehenge to get some ideas and inspiration... (But I'm really leaning toward a dress. :) )
the video is awesome!! I loved all her videos. Now where did you find the fabric deals... you didn't tell us where we too can buy that roll of many colors on deep discount
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna at not afraid of color
I love that video, too, LeeAnna! I haven't seen her others, though. Maybe I'll have to find a wifi haunt this snowy weekend and check out the rest.
DeleteWhere do I find fabric deals??? Ha ha ha! That's my secret!!! Just teasing. Missouri Star Quilt Company has a daily deal (and today's pastel Kona jelly rolls were SO tempting!), Fat Quarter Shop has a daily Flash Sale, and eQuilter sends out (too many emails per week) specials. I also search quiltshops.com for specific fabrics, and I'm usually late to the show, so if I do find what I want, it's on clearance and not always available in the color I want.
Oh I love all your new fabric - it's far too pretty to pass up on! And your snowflake dress is lovely; my daughter walked past and said "Mama! It's a Frozen dress!" which is her highest compliment at the moment!
ReplyDeleteOh, my gosh, Carie, I hadn't even thought of the Frozen connection! The color is PERFECT for that! I may have to applique more snowflakes along the hem now!!!
DeleteAwesome fabric and jumpers! Perhaps you need to show me how to sew one together. Maybe we could sell them. Perhaps we could call them, Snowcatcher Jumps by Lee Zard, or something along those lines.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to show you how to sew, Lizard! I've been trying to get you started on free-motion quilting for years now. Perhaps the bikes can have a day off, and you can give the sewing machine a bit of attention... ;)
DeleteI, too, love all the fabric. I'd like to know where to find the jelly roll jumper pattern. Do you use your scraps? If not this fairly new quilter would love to have them, hint, hint. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy!
DeleteYes, I did indeed use leftovers as well as the dresses they are left over from I've made since I was in high school (we're talking about 35 years here). As the dresses wore out, they went in the scrap pile, and I made jelly roll strips from them for that dress. The story about the dress is here. Any dress pattern with two rectangle skirt pieces will work. I just assembled the jelly roll strips into rectangles, then cut the pieced fabric to fit the pattern. I think anyone could do it!
Fabric lust stirring here.... :)
ReplyDeleteThat gradient jelly roll - have you thought about picking one of the lighter colours to fill in the gaps? It would be beautiful with a pale pink. Very springlike.
Great turquoise jumper, and the Lizard jumper is awesome!
Thanks, Sue! I had not considered pink, but I may have solved the problem. I found one more gradient jelly roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteYou are so wise by refusing to join! Let's be honest, N-NOBODY can survive a year without buying some fabric! My stash is not so big - maybe 4 banana boxes, that's all - one is already full of fabric for Christmas things, so only tree... I can't survive on THAT! The bargains are made specially for us, reducing quilt and creating that lightheaded illusion that we are acting wise! LOL If seriously, the group of blue fabric in the second top picture - GORGEOUS!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann! It's good to know someone else understands!!! I, too, would never have been able to walk away from those blue fabric. I HAD to have them! Simply had to!
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