Find That Fabric!

I have been accumulating patterns over the past year for many of my projects. One thing I like to do is take a part of one pattern and combine it with part of another to get the desired look I am after. I know this is not a new idea at all but I like to think that it is and after all is said and done I have an OOAK finished product. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/one-of-a-kind  (Even after all these years on the internet and learning how to chat and text with less and less symbols; I still had to look this abbreviation up!)

After I have my project drafted by its design and color; I pursue the fabric. I don't know if anyone else ishaving a similar problem finding fabric and notions but all of the  fabric stores in my area are closing up. Blame it on the economy, blame it on lack of interest in the old fashioned art of sewing but needless to say- I can hardly find any fabric OR decent fabric in my neighborhood. Hancock Fabrics and Jo Ann stores were the 2 that I shopped at, AT least bi-monthly and during holiday season- almost weekly. Sad to say they are both gone and the only other fabric store close by is a remnants store which, in my opinion, is getting worse and worse each time I go in.

You know the saying "necessity is the mother of invention"? I have had to use it and become creative in ways to find fabric. My solution: sheets! Yes, I said sheets. Why you ask? Well first of all the twin size sheet is almost 4 yards of material, second you can find all colors, deigns, weights of cotton and or sizes (for more material). Third, and my favorite reason, you can buy sheets at thrift stores for mere pennies! There are thrift stores in my neighborhood that have half off day sales so you can get a complete set of sheets including pillowcases, flat and fitted sheets for less than $3.00!

I have been using sheets and pillowcases for some of my projects lately. I prefer the vintage percale sheets because they are a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester and tend to wash and dry well without ironing or worry of shrinkage. I made this apron with a vintage Strawberry Shortcake pillowcase. It cost me $1.49 at Goodwill. The coordinating fabric was also found at another local thrift store as a fabric remnant for about $1.00. I already had the pink ric rac trim; so after about 2 hours of my time and a bobbin full of thread this apron cost me less than $4.00!

I have also found other ways to acquire material for my projects. I have been scouring websites day and night for Doctor Who themed fabric. I thought it had been commercially manufactured but evidently there never was any. I did find Doctor Who "inspired" fabric on this really cool website called Spoonflower.com      http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome It allows you to offer up a design for fabric and you can have it made and you can sell it to others in fat quarters, yards or bolts. However, because of the customization the by the yard price is rather steep, sometimes in the $30/per range.