walthamstow fabric spree

Happy Sunday everyone!

Elena's been staying with me this weekend, and it's been AWESOME. Now that I don't live in Oxford any more we don't get to see each other that often (although we talk all the time), so when she comes to stay I love it. On Saturday we took a trip up to Walthamstow to check out the much-recommended fabric stalls and shops. I admit before the trip I was a little dubious as to how much I would be able to find that I liked, but OH MY GOD was I pleasantly surprised!

Elena scrutinising the wares from "the man outside Sainsbury's"

Here's what we both came away with:

Elena

Left - This red cotton was a bargainous £1 a metre from 'New Fabric Shops' (or something like that!). I got 4 metres, and have it earmarked for either a McCalls 4769 shirtdress or a dress from a 1980s vintage pattern in my stash. Jen also bought 4 metres for a Megan Nielsen Banksia and a Simplicity 2406 dress.

Right - This Liberty print cotton lawn was £8 a metre from Saeed's. I bought 1 metre, and will try and squeeze a Banksia out of that!

Left - I have no idea what this fabric is! But it feels quite silky and drapes really nicely. I think I'll use it for a Sense & Sensibility Patterns' 1940s swing dress.

Middle - I think I'll use this blue double double-knit jersey for a dress from the Sew U Home Stretch book.

Right - I'm unsure what this fabric will end up being. Possibly a top of some sort - I think it'll suit being used in small amounts.

Left - This brushed cotton will be used for a Papercut Patterns La Sylphide top. It was such good value at £2 a metre!

Middle - Ooh, this is my favourite! Again, I'm not sure what it is but it drapes beautifully. I think it might become a Colette Peony. We'll see!

Right - This black gauzy fabric will be used to underline a slightly-sheer black floral print fabric in my stash, and together they'll become a Colette Sencha.

Jen

Left - I bought this grey ribbed jersey for £1.10/m from the Textile Centre. As you can see it has a lovely border print so will make an excellent dress of some kind featuring the print. Not sure which pattern yet - any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Middle - Ahh, love this one! We were just about to leave 'New Fabric Shops' having bought 4 metres each of the red spot fabric when I spotted this beauty. "You couldn't quite make it out of the shop, could you?!" the man said to me. No, I'm weak, I know that. I bought 2 metres for a sundress of some kind - not sure which yet.

Right - This Missoni-esque double-knit jersey from Saeed's is quite thick, and I love the pattern. Again, not sure what it will be yet. Another for the stash!

Left - I've earmarked this for McCalls 2401. Not sure what it is! But I love the pattern and it will work well for a simple shift dress like this I think.

Top right - This gorgeous tribal print cotton is going to be a Darling Ranges dress! It wrinkles like crazy but I couldn't resist it. It was from the market stall outside Sainsbury's.

Bottom right - This was my most expensive purchase at £2.50 (!) a metre. It's black suedette. The lovely suedette appearance doesn't show on the photo but believe me, it's lustrous. It's going to be my next make - a Sewaholic Hollyburn skirt.


So, as you can see, what a haul! This will keep us out of mischief for the next couple of months at least.  Have you been to Walthamstow fabric shops and market recently and picked up any beauties?

Jen x