Field trip to the Fabric store.

Okay, it wasn't the only fabric store I wanted to visit this weekend to look around, but I got an extra moment that I didn't expect to go check out JoAnn Fabrics tonight. We were going to a restaurant that was in the same shopping center, so since we had to wait, I asked JC if he minded if I walked over and took a look about while we waited. Sensing I needed the break, he said sure, so I went over. As I mentioned yesterday, the idea of fabric availability, or fabric choices, has been daunting for me. There are certain flexibilities, and certain inflexibilities, so I wanted to be able to look at what was available for myself, without a little boy tagging along making me rush through and not taking a careful look. Well, not that I was looking THAT carefully, but at least more carefully enough to see that everything wasn't shiny polyester, how the store was divided for certain fabrics, where the bottomweights were vs the knits vs the denim, etc. And, for all I said in the last post, I still found some things I liked. I saw some nice twills that I think I'd like to make for shorts and pants, or even skirts. I saw some bolts with a nice lightweight fabrics that would be suitable for a nice blouse. I saw some knit fabric which I could see making t-shirts. I started seeing possibilities. I could see my creativity still coming through in my head, at least. I also looked at the home decor/upholstery fabrics. How is it that I like the motifs on those the best? Probably it's because I've been looking at those types of fabrics longer than I've ever looked at any other kind, since I've been doing interior design for a lot longer than anything else. I was seeing some sheer fabric that I'd like to eventually get to replace the crappy curtains by my front door, and the fabric that I've been oggling for a while for my kitchen curtains and new family room pillows. The other thing I was looking for was fabric for a project out of the S.E.W. book. It's for a sewing machine cover, and it calls for oilcloth. Well, JoAnn Fabrics doesn't carry that. But from what I could see, it looks a lot like vinyl tablecloth material, so I looked at that. I have to tell you, a lot of it is fugly. But, there is some that looks like leather, and I'm very tempted to get some of that! There was one in particular that looked like butterscotch colored ostrich skin leather, even though it was really pleather. Oh, it was gorgeous, and even pricey, even though it wasn't real. I'm still thinking about whether I want to get that for the project. I think having a sewing machine cover that looks like leather would be kind of cool looking, don't you think?

I looked at other things too, like seeing mini irons, which might be ideal to have to iron out seams and such, rather than heat up my regular one. Of course, I don't really have a sewing room to do any of this, per se, but I'm hoping that by the end of the summer (heh heh, right), I'll be able to convert part of my basement into a makeshift craft room, where I can do my sewing and store my knitting supplies as well. If not there, then perhaps I can change up part of the guest room. Either way, I need a personal space, and I don't have that at all except the Master Bathroom to myself. But that's for another rant elsewhere.

I still want to also visit the local Calico Corners store, which has moved closer to my house, and has been renamed "Calico Home". Just to check out what they have. Perhaps one day after work I'll go, because it's literally across the street (namely Rt.1) from where I work. I know it's a home decor store, but still, sometimes I remember them having some fun fabrics, and so I am certainly curious to see what they have, since it's been a while since I've been there.

I am starting to see possibilities now, and seeing the potential of what I can do. I know, I'm still getting ahead of myself, but you know, it's like this...if I don't try to look ahead, then there's no point. Looking ahead is my way of dreaming, and if you don't have dreams, then you have no future, nothing to look forward towards. I'm starting to realize lately that if I don't try and have dreams, then I have one less thing that makes me happy. I'm not one who has lofty dreams that I wish would come true. Well, I do, but I do try to be realistic and practical. And thinking that someday I will have the skills to make my own clothes or do decor around my house on my own is my own little dream. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's what makes me happy these days.

And part of that dream is coming on Tuesday, when my first, very own sewing machine will be arriving. Yay!