... Tessuti fabric shop in Melbourne. Why haven't I been there before??!
Showing posts with label fabric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fabric. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Friday, 10 April 2009
Too cute
I found this adorable bias binding in Kim Anh fabrics. The cuteness of stuff like this makes my heart skip a beat and go weak at the knees. The little duckies are definitely my favourite.
Friday, 7 November 2008
Hold me back!
Apologies for the lack of posts this week. I have indeed been busy sewing and baking and whatnot, but I have been so busy doing them that I have had little computer time to upload and sort photos. You can look forward to seeing what I've made this week over the weekend! (Oh yes, and I did win a little money on the Melbourne Cup! Hooray!)
In the mean time, Tacolina linked a website that has me very excited. I nearly choked on my cup of tea when I saw just how much amazingly overly cute stuff there was for me to buy! I have to hide my credit card. Thankfully I lost my credit card recently and had to get a new number and I haven't memorised it yet.
I need a new calendar for next year. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Eric Carle calendar this year and wanted something in a similar style. I may have to make a purchase... too cute.
Then there are the dish cloths...
In the mean time, Tacolina linked a website that has me very excited. I nearly choked on my cup of tea when I saw just how much amazingly overly cute stuff there was for me to buy! I have to hide my credit card. Thankfully I lost my credit card recently and had to get a new number and I haven't memorised it yet.
I need a new calendar for next year. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Eric Carle calendar this year and wanted something in a similar style. I may have to make a purchase... too cute.
Then there are the dish cloths...
Thursday, 2 October 2008
It's my fabric stash!
Thought I'd jump in on the Mike's Share your stash! invite. It's been so exciting seeing everyone else's fabric stash. And I confess, after seeing Bug and Pop's link to EmilyMe, I decided to add to mine. However compared to everyone else's, my stash seems a little pathetic...
Yep, two measly tubs of fabrics. But I am young and have many more years worth of fabric hoarding to go. I need to go and purchase a second lockable tub because I really do not like working out of a wash basket. I have been good and have been trying to use up my current stash before rushing out to purchase more. Ever since I organised my fabric into colours it has been so much easier to work out what I can make and what fabrics I can coordinate before buying.
However, the reason why I wanted to join in on this is because for ages I have wanted to share my one prized piece of fabric. Apparently my mum bought it when I was very young and made it into a curtain for my bedroom, but didn't use it for very long so the fabric is still in good shape and hasn't faded at all. I love the design: the dancing birds and bugs, the cute flowers, the happy colours. It's way too cute. The print is called "The Garden Party", but I can't find anything on who designed it or manufactured it. I think it is totally adorable and I have often wondered if it's possible to get it reprinted somehow because I would really love about 50 repeats of it!
Yep, two measly tubs of fabrics. But I am young and have many more years worth of fabric hoarding to go. I need to go and purchase a second lockable tub because I really do not like working out of a wash basket. I have been good and have been trying to use up my current stash before rushing out to purchase more. Ever since I organised my fabric into colours it has been so much easier to work out what I can make and what fabrics I can coordinate before buying.
However, the reason why I wanted to join in on this is because for ages I have wanted to share my one prized piece of fabric. Apparently my mum bought it when I was very young and made it into a curtain for my bedroom, but didn't use it for very long so the fabric is still in good shape and hasn't faded at all. I love the design: the dancing birds and bugs, the cute flowers, the happy colours. It's way too cute. The print is called "The Garden Party", but I can't find anything on who designed it or manufactured it. I think it is totally adorable and I have often wondered if it's possible to get it reprinted somehow because I would really love about 50 repeats of it!
Monday, 7 July 2008
A fabulous outing
This morning Kat picked me up and took me too a mystery shopping destination. We parked and at Wattletree Rd and Burke Rd, and there on the corner, right opposite Central Park, was a shop with large windows, and I could see very clearly lots of colours. I could quite clearly see two rooms filled with patchwork fabrics! She had brought me to Patchwork on Central Park. I could hardly contain myself. Where to start?!
There were cute Japanese prints, retro kids prints, floral designs, animal prints, more traditional oriental prints, bold colours, pastels, folk prints, prints by Hollabee, Lara Cameron, Lotta Jansdotter and Auntie Cookie... oh my! Oh, and then there are the ribbons and trims that I wont even start on. I was in bliss.
After a coffee and raisin toast we made a trip to Fitzroy, where we headed to Clear It at 188 Brunswick Street. Normally I pick up a few things like hoodies or skirts from their downstairs section, where they sell leftovers and seconds from labels like Revival, Dangerfield and Alannah Hill. But today Kat and I headed straight to the 2nd floor, which is where the Alannah Hill fabrics are stocked: ends of the roll, seconds, faulty fabrics, buttons, notions etc. There are some truly beautiful fabrics, and some of the stretch ones definitely inspire me to learn how to use my overlocker. We bought some cotton fabric and a selection of light weight corduroys.
There were cute Japanese prints, retro kids prints, floral designs, animal prints, more traditional oriental prints, bold colours, pastels, folk prints, prints by Hollabee, Lara Cameron, Lotta Jansdotter and Auntie Cookie... oh my! Oh, and then there are the ribbons and trims that I wont even start on. I was in bliss.
After a coffee and raisin toast we made a trip to Fitzroy, where we headed to Clear It at 188 Brunswick Street. Normally I pick up a few things like hoodies or skirts from their downstairs section, where they sell leftovers and seconds from labels like Revival, Dangerfield and Alannah Hill. But today Kat and I headed straight to the 2nd floor, which is where the Alannah Hill fabrics are stocked: ends of the roll, seconds, faulty fabrics, buttons, notions etc. There are some truly beautiful fabrics, and some of the stretch ones definitely inspire me to learn how to use my overlocker. We bought some cotton fabric and a selection of light weight corduroys.
Friday, 20 June 2008
Absorbing another fabric stash
One of my mum's friends, who she does embroidery with, has invited me to help clear out her fabric stash tomorrow afternoon. She told me I can take anything I want. Wow - I'm so excited! This lady has such a great eye for colour, I can't wait to see what her stash is like!
What I'm not so excited about is the dentist appointment I have in 2 hours time (I haven't been to the dentist in 12 years! Half my lifetime ago!).
Update: So I'm going to need six- yes, six fillings - and most likely have wisdom teeth removed (one is growing sideways!). That's what I get for not going for so long. It's so frustrating, I'm so anal about my dental care! My denist thinks I might be able to get it all done at once, if I do need wisdom teeth removed, but he's just waiting on the x-rays. That'd be nice, because I really don't want to be conscious if I have to have all of that done. Yikes! Sounds expensive too.
What I'm not so excited about is the dentist appointment I have in 2 hours time (I haven't been to the dentist in 12 years! Half my lifetime ago!).
Update: So I'm going to need six- yes, six fillings - and most likely have wisdom teeth removed (one is growing sideways!). That's what I get for not going for so long. It's so frustrating, I'm so anal about my dental care! My denist thinks I might be able to get it all done at once, if I do need wisdom teeth removed, but he's just waiting on the x-rays. That'd be nice, because I really don't want to be conscious if I have to have all of that done. Yikes! Sounds expensive too.
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Fabric shopping in Tokyo
Fabric shopping in Tokyo was awesome! So much more variety than I've ever found in Australia.
I know there are some people out there who will be visiting Tokyo and want to do some fabric shopping, so I'll do what I can to help you with your very own Tokyo fabric finding adventures! I'll mention straight up that, unless you have a map, it's very hard to find the shops you're after so I'll do my best to include maps and detailed directions. Tokyo is filled with so many flashing lights, crazy alley ways and unstructured road layouts that it makes it a bit hard to just turn up to a particular place and just "wing it". I tried that and failed, but having said that, we had way more fun getting lost in Tokyo and stumbled across other interesting shops in the most bizarre places. I'll run through my adventuers in chronological order.
ABC Craft - Shinjuku
ABC Craft is in the 3rd basement level of Mitsukoshi department store next to Shinjuku station (see map). Mitsukoshi Department store is listed as Building 57 on the Shinjuku map in my Japan - Lonley Planet 2005 edition. It's quite similar to Lincraft in Australia. They sold a limited range of cute, cotton Japanese fabrics - there wasn't a massive fabric section but they had all of my favourite stuff: cute frogs, pandas, bunnies, retro fairy tale prints, strawberries, Echino prints etc. This was more of a craft store than a fabric store, so if you're more of a craft person then I'd suggest checking it out. Just next to ABC craft is also a big kitchen supplies section of the department store and they have some very cool aprons, oven mitts and general utensils. Apparently there is a bigger, 4 floor store in Osaka. Even though this map is in Japanese it's easy enough to follow. The red block is Mitsukoshi Department store, and B3F just means Basement 3.
Daiso - Harajuku
This is Tokyo's largest 100 Yen Shop! It's 5 floors and you can pick up all sorts of crazy stuff so cheap. This isn't a fabric store, but I picked up some very cute hankies and little towels here (along with a heap of other stuff - little plates, bowls, shinkansen bandaids, fun sticky tapes etc). I spent ages here. A great place for buying little trinkets for friends too. It's just over the road from Harajuku station. This map is from Japan Guide. I've included the whole map because I recommend a visit to Kiddy Land while you're there.
Lucky Star - Meguro
It's about a 10 minute walk from Meguro station. A small shop but with quite a large range of quilting fabrics mostly, all sorts of prints from traditional to kids fabric. Lots of embellishments, motifs and cheap buttons too. Actually, this place was a highlight of my holiday - the couple who ran the store were so lovely and helpful even though we couldn't understand each other. They still used a cash register from 1917 -- and let us have a go! You'll see the fabrics out the front of the store. There's also a pottery place just up the road from this store where we picked up some great bowls.
I adapted this map from the Meguro Parasitological Museum map (I went there too - see earlier post. It was really cool!)
Okadaya fabric - Shinjuku
We stumbled across this place by accident while trying to look for shoes. It's literally across the road from Shinjuku station and has about 6 floors of all sorts of fabric. The bottom floor was where I did most of my shopping (cottons, linens and canvas) and picked up a stack of fabric that I had been thinking of buying on the internet for ages. I should mention that there are two stores: one on the corner of the lane (opposite the adult shop) and one down the lane (it has a bunch of fabric out the front). There are pictorial instructions on the Okadaya website, but here's my instructions to go with it:
Although I never made it there, Shinjuku is also the home of Tokyu Hands, which I have heard many many good things about, so you might as well go there while you're at it!
I tried on two occasions to find Marunan in Shibuya which is near Shibuya crossing. We hunted for ages trying to find it but totally failed. As I quickly discovered, Shibuya crossing is massive, and there are heaps of little alley ways right near it. I probably needed a map, and probably was within about 10 metres of it on several occasions!
I was hoping to visit Kinkado next to Ikebukuro Station (I was staying right near there) but after finding Okadaya I was feeling entirely satisfied with my purchases and didn't end up going.
There were a list of other places I wanted to visit but either couldn't find them or ran out of time. I was very happy with all of my fabric - I had particular prints that I was after and found them - but when I travel to Tokyo next time (oh yes, there will be a next time) I'll still have more places to go!
Some useful links that I referred to that may help you for your own Tokyo fabric adventure are:
http://www.askingfortrouble.org/crafts/tokyo-shopping-guide/
http://retromummy.blogspot.com/2007/07/shops.html
http://floatingworld.typepad.com/floating_world_views/2007/05/fabric_shopping.html
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/discussions/messages/333/624.html?1140414614
I know there are some people out there who will be visiting Tokyo and want to do some fabric shopping, so I'll do what I can to help you with your very own Tokyo fabric finding adventures! I'll mention straight up that, unless you have a map, it's very hard to find the shops you're after so I'll do my best to include maps and detailed directions. Tokyo is filled with so many flashing lights, crazy alley ways and unstructured road layouts that it makes it a bit hard to just turn up to a particular place and just "wing it". I tried that and failed, but having said that, we had way more fun getting lost in Tokyo and stumbled across other interesting shops in the most bizarre places. I'll run through my adventuers in chronological order.
ABC Craft - Shinjuku
ABC Craft is in the 3rd basement level of Mitsukoshi department store next to Shinjuku station (see map). Mitsukoshi Department store is listed as Building 57 on the Shinjuku map in my Japan - Lonley Planet 2005 edition. It's quite similar to Lincraft in Australia. They sold a limited range of cute, cotton Japanese fabrics - there wasn't a massive fabric section but they had all of my favourite stuff: cute frogs, pandas, bunnies, retro fairy tale prints, strawberries, Echino prints etc. This was more of a craft store than a fabric store, so if you're more of a craft person then I'd suggest checking it out. Just next to ABC craft is also a big kitchen supplies section of the department store and they have some very cool aprons, oven mitts and general utensils. Apparently there is a bigger, 4 floor store in Osaka. Even though this map is in Japanese it's easy enough to follow. The red block is Mitsukoshi Department store, and B3F just means Basement 3.
Daiso - Harajuku
This is Tokyo's largest 100 Yen Shop! It's 5 floors and you can pick up all sorts of crazy stuff so cheap. This isn't a fabric store, but I picked up some very cute hankies and little towels here (along with a heap of other stuff - little plates, bowls, shinkansen bandaids, fun sticky tapes etc). I spent ages here. A great place for buying little trinkets for friends too. It's just over the road from Harajuku station. This map is from Japan Guide. I've included the whole map because I recommend a visit to Kiddy Land while you're there.
Lucky Star - Meguro
It's about a 10 minute walk from Meguro station. A small shop but with quite a large range of quilting fabrics mostly, all sorts of prints from traditional to kids fabric. Lots of embellishments, motifs and cheap buttons too. Actually, this place was a highlight of my holiday - the couple who ran the store were so lovely and helpful even though we couldn't understand each other. They still used a cash register from 1917 -- and let us have a go! You'll see the fabrics out the front of the store. There's also a pottery place just up the road from this store where we picked up some great bowls.
I adapted this map from the Meguro Parasitological Museum map (I went there too - see earlier post. It was really cool!)
Okadaya fabric - Shinjuku
We stumbled across this place by accident while trying to look for shoes. It's literally across the road from Shinjuku station and has about 6 floors of all sorts of fabric. The bottom floor was where I did most of my shopping (cottons, linens and canvas) and picked up a stack of fabric that I had been thinking of buying on the internet for ages. I should mention that there are two stores: one on the corner of the lane (opposite the adult shop) and one down the lane (it has a bunch of fabric out the front). There are pictorial instructions on the Okadaya website, but here's my instructions to go with it:
- Take the EAST Exit at JR Shinjuku station (Yamanote Line). Go up the stairs. You will find yourself in front of a taxi rank looking out over a road with buildings on the other side.
- There is a lane (no cars) next to the Studio Alta screen. You should be able to see the Okadaya sign just behind it. Go down the lane. Okadaya Shop #1 about half way down the lane, opposite an adult shop. There will be beads, cottons etc on the bottom level.
- Okadaya Shop #2 is just a few doors down from Shop #1, down the side lane. You will see lots of fabric out the front of the shop.
Although I never made it there, Shinjuku is also the home of Tokyu Hands, which I have heard many many good things about, so you might as well go there while you're at it!
I tried on two occasions to find Marunan in Shibuya which is near Shibuya crossing. We hunted for ages trying to find it but totally failed. As I quickly discovered, Shibuya crossing is massive, and there are heaps of little alley ways right near it. I probably needed a map, and probably was within about 10 metres of it on several occasions!
I was hoping to visit Kinkado next to Ikebukuro Station (I was staying right near there) but after finding Okadaya I was feeling entirely satisfied with my purchases and didn't end up going.
There were a list of other places I wanted to visit but either couldn't find them or ran out of time. I was very happy with all of my fabric - I had particular prints that I was after and found them - but when I travel to Tokyo next time (oh yes, there will be a next time) I'll still have more places to go!
Some useful links that I referred to that may help you for your own Tokyo fabric adventure are:
http://www.askingfortrouble.org/crafts/tokyo-shopping-guide/
http://retromummy.blogspot.com/2007/07/shops.html
http://floatingworld.typepad.com/floating_world_views/2007/05/fabric_shopping.html
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/discussions/messages/333/624.html?1140414614
Monday, 31 March 2008
Reds and oranges
Yesterday I participated in the Run for the Kids (see sidebar) and what an exciting event it was! So many people were wearing red event tshirts! It was such a wonderful day. So many people out there supporting the Royal Children's Hospital and the terrific work that they do. It was just amazing to run with so many people around me! ~27,000 other people in fact! They raised AU$750,000 for the hospital.
And then afterwards I popped by the Oakleigh Market and found a chili plant for only $4! What a bargain. Gib has been totally hooked on chilis of late so this was a great find. A fig tree was also purchased at the same time, so hopefully I will have some delicious fresh figs to eat soon enough! I'm not really sure where I'm going to plant that one though...
I have new red shoes! They're kind of clog like, kind of elf shoe like, and a little bit Wizard of Oz. I love them to bits. They're just so cute! I got them from this place in Glen Waverley called "On a shoestring". I love their shoes - so many interesting designs that you don't see anywhere else... and they're cheap (hence the name).
I picked up this little padded orange thingy for the kitchen in an op shop. I don't actually know what you do with it because it isn't heat resistant and it's quite small but it's cute as!
And finally I have made a very small start on my doona cover that I'm going to make out of the fabrics I picked up from the vintage Japanese fabric warehouse. I just like looking at the colours, really. Reds, oranges, yellows and green. I think I need some indigo in there too. I'll pick that up on my next trip there!
And then afterwards I popped by the Oakleigh Market and found a chili plant for only $4! What a bargain. Gib has been totally hooked on chilis of late so this was a great find. A fig tree was also purchased at the same time, so hopefully I will have some delicious fresh figs to eat soon enough! I'm not really sure where I'm going to plant that one though...
I have new red shoes! They're kind of clog like, kind of elf shoe like, and a little bit Wizard of Oz. I love them to bits. They're just so cute! I got them from this place in Glen Waverley called "On a shoestring". I love their shoes - so many interesting designs that you don't see anywhere else... and they're cheap (hence the name).
I picked up this little padded orange thingy for the kitchen in an op shop. I don't actually know what you do with it because it isn't heat resistant and it's quite small but it's cute as!
And finally I have made a very small start on my doona cover that I'm going to make out of the fabrics I picked up from the vintage Japanese fabric warehouse. I just like looking at the colours, really. Reds, oranges, yellows and green. I think I need some indigo in there too. I'll pick that up on my next trip there!
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Vintage Japanese fabrics
I spent yesterday hanging out with my mother in Richmond. Specifically, we went to Ziguzagu, a direct-to-the-public warehouse that sells Japanese vintage fabrics, kimonos and Japanese antiques. We spent absolutely ages in there! It was so hard deciding what to buy - there was so much beautiful stuff there. It was all excellently priced too and the scrap bins had a lot to offer. The best part for me was I discovered they give 15% student discounts on fabric and kiminos! Apparently they're getting a massive shipment in and they told me it will be well worth my while coming back in 2 weeks. I don't need to be told twice!
I have decided with the fabrics that I bought that I will make a new doona cover.
I have decided with the fabrics that I bought that I will make a new doona cover.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Fabric organisation?!
I'm thinking of how on earth to organise my fabric collection. At the moment it's currently in giant plastic tubs with lids or in a few washing baskets. Not very helpful for viewing my full range of fabrics, and also not very useful in keeping my limited space tidy! I have some storage drawers from Ikea, but I don't think they're going to be helpful either because (apart from being currently in use) they're just too deep.
I'm currently going with the idea of some wide, but not too deep shelving - and not drawers. I think I'll store the large quantities of fabric into the big plastic tubs. Hmmm. I think this idea needs some more research.
I'm currently going with the idea of some wide, but not too deep shelving - and not drawers. I think I'll store the large quantities of fabric into the big plastic tubs. Hmmm. I think this idea needs some more research.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
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